What I Learned About Projecting Your Presence in Online Teaching
In this module, I learned that projecting our presence (also called instructor or teaching presence) is essential in the online environment because students can't physically see or sense you the way they can in a traditional classroom. The course emphasized transitioning traditional classroom strategies to include using our voice, body language, and immediate interactions into digital tools that build authority, approachability, and connection. My key takeaways include:
- Humanizing ourselves early and often: Start with a welcoming video introduction where students can see your face, hear your voice, and get a sense of your personality and expertise. This sets a relational tone right away.
- 'Being consistently visible and responsive: Regular announcements, timely replies to questions (with a clear response timeline), and active participation in discussion boards signal that you're engaged and "present" in the course.
