Online learners today have unprecedented access to information. With AI tutors, YouTube explainers, and massive open courses just a click away, course content is no longer higher education’s unique value.

So what is?

Human connection.

In a world where content is widely available, the relationships you build with students, and the learning community you create, become the differentiator.

Research consistently shows that students are more likely to persist and succeed when they feel seen, supported, and valued. The Community of Inquiry framework reinforces this: teaching presence, social presence, and cognitive presence all play a central role in engagement and learning.

These approaches create small but meaningful moments that support motivation, trust, and learning.

Live sessions

Live sessions give students space to interact with you and with each other in real time. Rather than focusing on lecture, they create opportunities for dialogue, exploration, and connection.

You might use live sessions to:

Discuss cases
Work through problems
Explore workforce-relevant topics
Host Q&A or guided reflection

These sessions are optional and should be hosted using your institution’s approved meeting tools (such as Zoom or Teams).

Tips for success:

Plan for 2–3 sessions in an accelerated term
Keep sessions under one hour
Align sessions with course goals

If students cannot attend, provide an equivalent learning experience in your LMS (such as a discussion, peer activity, or reflection), along with access to the session recording.

You can explore a sample format here:

Download live session example

Just-in-time video

Just-in-time videos help you maintain a consistent, visible presence in your course. These short, informal updates keep students informed, supported, and on track.

You might use these videos to:

Preview the week ahead
Clarify common questions or challenges
Offer quick feedback or encouragement
Share relevant updates or examples

These videos should be created using your institution’s supported video platform (such as Panopto, Kaltura, or VoiceThread).

Tips for success:

Keep videos under 5 minutes
Use a conversational, informal tone
Treat them like a video version of an email

For examples of this approach, see Learning Nudges by Fabiola Torres.

Bringing it together

You don’t need more content to improve student experience—you need more moments of connection.

Live sessions and just-in-time videos offer flexible ways to build presence without adding significant complexity to your course. Even small, consistent efforts can help students feel more engaged, supported, and motivated to succeed.

If you’re exploring how to integrate these approaches, consider working with an instructional designer or colleague on how to align them with your course goals and facilitation style.