Projecting presense is critical for the success of online learners. As an instructor, it is our job to show that although we may be far outside of a trasitional classroom there is still someone there to support their learning journey. It lets them know that they're not alone.
Virtual environments require the same relationship-structure as live environments. It is imperative the professor establish credibility and authority, build relationships with students and be accessible, and encourage students to engage with one another in a structured manner.
Although it is important to project your presence via your academic credentials and expertise, and encourage a personal connection between students, it must be done at a distance. It is important to have a general discussion area to prevent topic discussion from becoming cluttered.
This module h. as taught me that scheduled reminders are a good way to project my presence. I have also learned some specific ways to project my authority: providing a short bio, but also course/module/lesson intros via (1) video clips supported by a printable version of the narrative script for each clip, (2) next best is audio accompanied by a printable and a head/shoulder photo, (3) text supported by a head/shoulder photo, and (4) the least effective: text alone.
The fact that one's appearance in the online platform is very important.
I'm always neat and clean but after doing this module I'll be wearing my company shirt whenever conducting a online class.
I think it is very important that the instructor make their presence known during the course. The instructor should offer more than posting assignments and releaseing quizzes and test. When a student knows that you are an individual there to help them, they become more involved in the class and are more likely to succeed at the content.
The importance of getting to know your students is stressed here. The Day 1 student created biography is a good start!
This module taught me about communication with students that accomplishes both relationship builiding as well as establishment of authority and presence as the instructor.
I usually begin by having the students write me a letter to the new teacher telling me something about themselves, and telling me why they enrolled, and what they expect to get out of the class. This way I not only learn something about them, but also about their communication skills.
I learned one of the ways we can project our presence to my students is to give them a short biography. I would ask the students to give their biography. They can read other students biography. I love this because I do this in the classroom. I really get to know the students and they know me. We can make this work and even try face-to-face discussions.
rAs an online instructor you must be able to show your students that you are there to support them. You must make your presence felt. You can do this by leading and monitoring discussion post, reply to all students discussion, and respond to any questions in a timely manner. You also need to demonstrate your authority as an instructor. This can be done by providing a brief biography of your academic crentials, professional experience, and any accomplishments. The end goal is to establish relationships with your students to provide respect, trust, and understanding.
It's important that you know the student and the student is familiar with your credentials and experience.
I plan on incorporating the suggested student biography assignment into my online classes.
it's really important to create trusted relationships with students so they'll know I'm going to help them when they have questions, problems, or technical issues that cause issues within the platforms, CMS. And through the interactions online, both student and teacher can learn and grow together in the learning.
I learned the importance of projecting an online presence from a distance, communicating credentials and experience, and continuous support through periodic communication
I've learned that it is important to inform the students of who I am and why I am qualified to teach them. It's also important for the students to get to know one another as well as for the instructor to have background information on each student so that the instructor can get an idea of what knowledge and experience each student brings to the class.
It is encouraged to share your credentials and accomplisments with students to earn their confidence in your abilities and knowledge and establish your authority.
Donna W
Gaston Literacy Council, Inc.
Just like in a traditional setting, it is important to develop a sense of community in the classroom. It is important to get to know students and likewise it is important for students to get to know the teacher. This can be accomplished by having each student submit a biography the first day and the teacher can attach a biography of themselves that includes the academic credentials and experience. By the end of the first week, the teacher may send a personal message to individual students to help get acquainted with each other.
this is something i have always beleived in and hve used day one in my classroom. the importants as to being relational and get to know your students even from behind the computer screen.
I will defininetly be using the idea of having students post a bio on the first day and of emailing them my bio. I think this will help them to see what they may have in common with others as well as providing them an opporunity to be successful right out of the gate.
