Instructor social presence

Context

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) model emphasizes that social presence is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive online learning environment where students feel connected and engaged, not only with the content but also with the instructor and their peers (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000). The instructor's role in fostering social presence is vital as it sets the tone for interaction and the building of a learning community. Additionally, regular and substantive interaction (RSI) is required by the U.S. Department of Education, and the instructor’s communication is one of the most significant ways that the instructor connects with students to establish their presence in the online classroom (Richardson & Lowenthal, 2017). Furthermore, effective communication is a cornerstone of successful teaching, and this principle extends to online learning environments. Instructors with a strong social presence are better positioned to communicate clearly and facilitate meaningful interactions with students. 

Building connections with students

In traditional face-to-face classrooms, the physical presence of an instructor naturally contributes to the formation of a personal connection with students. In the online environment, however, the absence of direct, in-person interaction poses a challenge. Establishing a robust instructor social presence becomes the bridge that overcomes this challenge (Reardon, 2022). Research by Richardson & Swan (2019) emphasizes that the establishment of a social presence in online courses is positively correlated with student satisfaction and perceived learning. By sharing personal anecdotes, responding promptly to queries, and participating in discussions, instructors can humanize the online learning experience, creating a sense of connection that is crucial for student success.

A study by Baker (2010) highlights that instructor immediacy, a component of social presence, positively influences student satisfaction and perceived learning. Regular announcements, updates, and clear instructions contribute to a positive learning experience, reducing confusion and misunderstandings. Therefore, instructor social presence plays a vital role in creating a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing their opinions and seeking clarification.

Practical strategies

To enhance instructor social presence in online courses and maintain RSI, educators can adopt some of the strategies into their course:

• Personalized Videos and Photos: Instructors can share short lecture videos, course welcome videos, and photos or videos with their background, interests, and something personal about themselves. This helps students feel more connected to their instructor as a real person, not just a name on a screen.

• Participate Actively in Discussions: Regularly engage in discussions, addressing student queries, providing insights, and encouraging further exploration of topics. Actively participate in discussion forums by posing questions, responding to students' posts, and encouraging dialogue among students. This not only fosters a sense of community but also models good discussion practices.

• Provide Timely and Constructive Feedback: Offer timely and constructive feedback on assignments and assessments, demonstrating a commitment to students' learning and improvement. Positive reinforcement and constructive criticism can help build a rapport with students and encourage a growth mindset. Canvas feedback options include text comments, annotated comments, and media comments for recording personalized video or audio messages.

• Regular Communication: Maintain regular communication with students through various channels such as emails, announcements, and discussion forums. Be responsive when students email, ensuring that they will receive a reply within 24-48 hours. Regular updates about course material, upcoming deadlines, and responsiveness to student questions can make students feel more connected and supported.

• Instructor Accessibility and Virtual Office Hours: Make it easy for students to reach out with questions or concerns by providing clear guidelines on how and when they can contact the instructor. Being accessible and responsive builds trust and a supportive learning environment. Offer virtual office hours through video conferencing tools to provide students with an opportunity for one-on-one interaction. Students can drop in to ask questions, discuss course material, or just chat. 

• Storytelling, Anecdotes and Personal Insights: Use storytelling or personal anecdotes related to course content to make the material more relatable and engaging. Sharing personal insights or professional experiences can help humanize the instructor, build teacher credibility, and help students relate to the content.

Example Video

In this example video, Joshua Minks, Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at UMSL, discusses his professional background and a few things he’s “learned through life or in school" that he shares with students at the beginning of the semester to personalize his course.