Comment on Bethany Berkowitz's post:
This is something I’ve had to learn — and continue to refine — even two years into being a lead instructor. Engagement and trust-building truly make the difference in an online learning environment and can directly influence a student’s success. Why? Because it’s incredibly easy for students to disconnect and get pulled into distractions.
I’ve experienced this myself while taking this course. Messages from my boss, incoming texts, the dog moving around, and hearing my wife upstairs — all of it pulled my attention away and forced me to replay sections of the material. It was a real reminder of what our students face daily.
When students have genuine buy-in, they’re more likely to push through those distractions and stay engaged. I believe that consistent, early, and direct interaction with each student helps build that commitment. The distractions will always be there, but with the right level of connection and motivation, students are far more likely to stay focused and succeed.
