Struggling to keep it real? Faculty “being there” for students is a game-changer in online learning. In this session, you will learn simple strategies on how to increase faculty presence in your classes that can be implemented as early as today.
Since the pandemic, faculty presence in online courses has become even more critical to students’ overall learning experience. As a faculty member, do you struggle to connect with your students? Do you feel isolated from them? Are you looking for effective ways to “be there” for your students? In this session, we will discuss what faculty presence entails and offer simple strategies for faculty on how to be present in their online courses. We will also discuss how faculty presence can lead to increased student engagement and retention.
Faculty presence in online learning has three main components: 1) Humanization, 2) Communication, and 3) Effective use of technologies. Humanization is a foundational element of faculty presence. Do our students feel we are more than simply a name on a screen? Do they experience a sense of being and belonging in the class? Secondly, communication is about being accessible when students need help. What more can we do to communicate “real” support to our students? A final element of faculty presence in online learning is the optimal use of technologies. Ever wonder if you are not using your learning management system (LMS) and other tools to their fullest?
Faculty presence can be cultivated through innovative uses of technologies. Understanding the basic tools and functionalities of an LMS can increase student connection and engagement. Strategies including regular communication, prompt grading, and discussion involvement can enhance students’ perception of faculty presence. Meet old friends and acquaint yourself with new ones while learning how to apply emerging strategies that promote faculty presence.
Level of Participation:
This educational session will be presented with lecture-like structure. An engaging presentation will be promoted through captivating slides, live online polling, and inclusive conversations and questions.
Session Goals:
The goals of this session is to a) understand the concept of ‘faculty presence’, b) connect ‘faculty presence’ to student engagement, retention, and learning, and c) learn how to cultivate faculty presence, communication, and connection in classes.