In an online course, the feeling of connection, known as “presence,” plays a key role in students’ success and satisfaction. It helps break the isolation of online learning by fostering meaningful interactions with the instructor, fellow students, and the course content. Establishing this presence doesn’t have to be hard. Explore a few simple ways to create a strong sense of connection in your online classroom below.
Build connection early
The first week sets the tone for your entire course. When you take time to connect with students early, you help them feel more comfortable, engaged, and prepared to participate.
Create a video to introduce yourself and your course to students. Share a bit about your background and personality to help students connect with you.
Example
In an introductory video, an engineering faculty member talks about how her love of math came from the brainteasers her father used to give her at the dinner table during her childhood in Belgrade.
Send out a short survey at the beginning of the semester to collect information about your students that will help you get to know them better.
Example
A marketing professor sends out a survey asking his students about their work experience, their undergraduate majors, and what they know about marketing and marketers.
If possible, personally reach out to students, especially at the start of the course. This can help build rapport and trust.
Example
A marketing professor places a quick call to every student a week before classes begin. In these phone calls, he tells students about himself, clarifies his expectations, and asks them what they hope to get out of the course. He uses what he learns about his students to create teams.
Help students connect with each other
Learning is more effective when students feel part of a community. Creating opportunities for students to interact helps build trust, encourages participation, and supports deeper learning.
In the first week of class, assign a fun exercise related to the course material to help students get to know one another.
Example
The instructor of a professional development course for university faculty members asks her students to take the Teaching Perspectives Inventory, post their profiles, and compare notes with colleagues in an online discussion board.
Consider putting students into small discussion groups for the entire semester to promote bonding.
Example
The instructor of a management class divides her 60-person class into groups of 10 to discuss case studies. The members of these small groups get to know one another well over the course of the semester.
Maintain consistent presence
Regular communication helps students stay on track and feel supported. When you show up consistently, students are more likely to stay engaged and reach out when they need help.
Maintain regular contact with your class through weekly e-mails or announcements. Remind students about deadlines, offer help, and share resources.
Example
An environmental engineering professor gives students a bonus point for finding articles in the popular press that relate to the environmental issues they’re studying. Every week, he collects the links and sends them out to the entire class.
Consider making short videos or podcasts for your announcements, letting students hear or see you adds a personal touch.
Example
An anthropology professor sends out weekly video announcements to her students. She likes to record them at her home, surrounded by artifacts from her fieldwork in Micronesia.
Humanize your course
Students are more engaged when they feel connected to you as a person. Bringing your personality into the course helps reduce distance and creates a more approachable, supportive learning environment.
Add a personal touch to lectures and materials to keep things fun and engaging.
Example
A computer science instructor delivering a video lecture about cookies (the digital kind) adds some levity by pulling out a chocolate chip cookie and a mug of coffee as he finishes his presentation.
Use a relaxed, conversational tone in your course overview and other documents.
Example
When translating his face-to-face European history course to the online environment, the instructor intentionally changes the formal tone of all his course documents to reduce the distance between himself and his students.
Establishing presence in your online course is not as difficult as you might think! These are just a few of the strategies you can use to develop a sense of connection with and among your online students.
References
- Lehman, R. M., & Conceição, S. C. O. (2010). Creating a sense of presence in online teaching: How to “be there” for distance learners. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
