Creating Presence in the Online Classroom
Plan to be visible, even when students can’t see you.
Being present in the face-to-face classroom is nearly effortless—after all, you and your students usually see each other a few times per week. However, creating a strong teaching presence online takes some work and thoughtful planning. It’s important to maintain this presence in some way at least several times a week, whether by posting an announcement, responding to a discussion board thread, or holding live office hours. Even sending a simple email reminder about an upcoming assignment can reinforce to students that their instructor is actively engaged. After all, we make similar announcements in our face-to-face classes.
In a brick-and-mortar setting, presence and communication often happen naturally. In the online classroom, however, without the benefit of physical proximity, we need to intentionally create a sense of community and inclusion. An online community can begin forming when students post introductions about themselves and continues through their interactions with peers, with their instructor, and with engaging, robust course materials designed for online learning.
It’s also important to keep lines of communication open by setting expectations upfront for workload, communication policies, and assignment and feedback turnaround times. Finally, let students know you value their perspective and input. Ask for feedback about how they feel they are doing in the course, what is working well, and which concepts or assignments may need further clarification.
The following recommendations offer practical strategies to help you establish and maintain a strong online teaching presence throughout your course.
Encourage Interaction
Effective online courses include meaningful interaction in three key areas:
- Student-Instructor: Foster engagement by responding to questions, providing timely feedback, and showing your presence in announcements and discussion boards.
- Student-Student: Encourage collaboration through peer discussions, group projects, and peer review activities to build a sense of community.
- Student-Content: Design interactive and engaging materials, including quizzes, simulations, case studies, and multimedia resources that actively involve students in their learning.
Set Clear Communication Expectations
Communicate your policies clearly at the start of the course. Include details on:
- Workload: Provide guidance on the expected weekly time commitment for reviewing course materials and completing assessments.
- Communication: Specify preferred methods for questions and discussions (e.g., email, discussion boards, messaging tools).
- Turnaround: Outline expected response times for emails, assignment feedback, and grading.
Be Present
Consistency in instructor presence reassures students that support is available and helps maintain engagement. Some strategies include:
- Discussion board posts: Participate regularly to guide conversations and provide clarification.
- Announcements: Share weekly updates, reminders, and motivational messages.
- Email and feedback: Send personalized feedback and reminders about upcoming deadlines.
- Live office hours: Offer scheduled times for synchronous interaction and student support.
Create an Online Community
Purposeful social presence reduces feelings of isolation and fosters a collaborative environment. Consider:
- Discussion board posts: Use introductory activities and ongoing prompts to spark engagement.
- Instructor videos: Record short lectures, introductions, or topic explanations to humanize the online experience.
- Blogs, journals, wikis: Encourage reflective activities and peer contributions to build shared knowledge.
- Respond promptly: Timely responses reinforce student participation and motivation.
Ask Students for Feedback
Continuous feedback helps you adjust instruction and meet students’ needs. Strategies include:
- Continuous formative feedback: Invite feedback on course materials and assignments and implement suggestions when appropriate.
- Early, informal feedback: Gather student input on course clarity and workload during the first few weeks.
- Summative assessment: Collect end-of-course feedback to inform future course improvements and assess overall effectiveness.