Content & Tools
Know Your Technology
In an online course, there are many options available for presenting content and fostering student interactions, which is the main advantage of teaching in this format.
Instructor and social presence in a course can be established and fostered through a combination of text communication and interactive tools available. Here are some recommendations to get you started.
Teaching and Social Presence Ideas
In Canvas, you will find interactive tools and options to build a sense of community in your online course. Some suggestions:
- Ask students to add a profile photo to their Canvas account and customize other account profiles used in your course.
- Write a personal introduction that includes a short description of your academic and work experience. Include a photo and perhaps a curiosity about yourself or a hobby.
- Record a welcome video or narrated presentation introducing yourself to the class. VoiceThread and Echo360 are good tools to use for this purpose.
- Create a Student Introductions discussion forum with an “ice breaker” question where students can introduce themselves and share fun facts about their lives.
- Set up a welcome activity using VoiceThread to allow your students to respond with voice and video.
- Organize team-based, collaborative, or problem-solving activities through Discussions or Groups.
- Design peer-review assignments to engage students in providing constructive feedback.
Tips & Tricks
- Start off your week by sending a comprehensive announcement to students’ emails that encourages them to participate in the week ahead and informs/reminds them of important milestones.
- When recording video messages or presentation content, be authentic; do not over-rehearse. Mistakes and imperfections will help make you approachable and relatable.
- In written communication, address your students in the 2nd person (“you” instead of “students”) for more personable and inviting communication.
- Be clear about your expectations for participation and interaction in the course, including reminders on netiquette as well as spelling, punctuation, and grammar. More ideas from OSCQR Standard 39.
Glossary
Teaching Presence
Widely researched in the Community of Inquiry (CoI) theoretical framework, where it emerges as “the binding element in creating a community of inquiry for educational purposes” (Garrison & Archer, 2000)
Social Presence
Creating a climate that supports and encourages probing questions, skepticism, expressing and contributing to ideas (Garrison & Akyol, 2013)