Gettting to know your students even from behind the computer screen can be difficult but it is necessary.
Getting to know the students through a general bio, and being able to access that information while teaching said student is a strong way of projecting my presence and maintaining that students engagement in an online forum.
Projecting presence is critical as well as how an instructor develops the communication. With the range of students and how they choose to participate, an online instructor must use several means to reach students and encourage them to participate at an appropriate level to be an overall success in the course(s).
I learned about the importance of working to develop a realtionship with the students, which is very difficult for me when it comes to virtual classes.
Letting the students know a little about myself might help them in wanting to also post something about them self for others in the course. Knowing common intrest
Projecting a strong competent presence through various methods is important in an on line learning environment. This helps earn the students trust and keeps them comfortable in the learning process.
I learned about the importance of sharing your background with the students to build a better rapport.
I have learned how to project myself and be more present for my students.
I learned techniques to be able to make connection with on line learner such as have them create a bio and I send them a bio as well.
The main thing is to try to connect to the students, seeing where they are coming from and what they want to learn to start a base learning level for them.
I learner that interaction with students.
Establishing authority and student/instuctor relationships.
It only makes logical sense to have the students know you and you know them, although I think some students may not want to post a biography of themselves to the entire class, just to the instructor might be best.
Get to know students backgrounds and make sure they know my experience
Being responsive to students
I need to let my students know about myself so that they develop a sense of trust. Also, that I need to know more about them.
I learned tips on how to engage and establish relationships with my students. This can be done through messages and discussion board posts.
Adding a required student biography will help my self and the other students create a better understanding of everyone.
One thing I found interesting was the creation of the relationship. In the classroom, students can see you, interact, and it is done in real time, but online students might (at least on some level) see themselves as the only ones in the class. Where they would be more understanding of you taking a moment or two to help someone in the physical class, it might seem like longer in the online environment. Creating that relationship can help them to know they aren't being ignored in those instances.
The instructor should provide a welcome letter with a short biography, this gives the students confidence that the instructor is knowledgeable in the subject matter.
