Teaching Presence

A big part of humanizing online learning is to help students feel connected to the instructor, and that they are not being taught in a course alone. Here we will discuss how instructors can make themselves available to students and show they are actively involved in the course.

Teaching Presence is one of the three parts of the Community of Inquiry framework. Instructors can help set the climate for learning and regulate that learning by engaging with students through feedback and encouragement.

How to Connect with Online Students

Getting to Know You Survey

Providing students with an opportunity to tell you something about themselves can be a valuable tool to help you see them as more than a name in a Learning Management System. A Student Background and Goals questionnaire can help set the context for your interactions with students

Instructor Videos

Videos recorded by an instructor can greatly enhance teaching presence in a course. Students' ability to see their instructor makes a big difference in their connection with that instructor. Consider an introduction video to welcome students and let them see you and know you as a real person. It doesn’t have to be polished and perfect, it just needs to show who you are and that you care about the content of the course and your students.

Online Video Use
Adding Emotion to Multimedia, Pat Reid

Substantive Feedback

Students value frequent and specific feedback on their performance to identify areas for improvement and stay motivated. Substantive feedback clearly responds to the individual’s work, while providing suggestions for taking action for increasing knowledge, skills, or attitudes. If substantive feedback is personal and actionable, it is natural that we combine substantive feedback with personalized connections with students.

Participation in Discussion Boards

Discussion forums foster valuable connections between instructors and students. By actively participating in these forums, demonstrating proper discussion etiquette, and providing support, instructors can build trust and enhance the learning experience.

Understanding the Instructor’s Role in Facilitating Online Discussions, Faculty Focus

Related Information

How to Be a Better Online Teacher, by Flower Darby
Creating an Effective Online Instructor Presence, Community College Research Center
Five Strategies for Enhancing Instructor Presence in Online Courses, University of Houston
How to Develop a Sense of Presence in Online and F2F Courses with Social Media, Online Learning Insights
Incorporating Videos in an Online Course, from eCampus Center