Overview
Hybrid courses often result in a decrease of “face time” since in‐class activities are replaced by time spent outside a traditional classroom setting. For example, “flipping” a class so that students experience the primary lecture components of a course as their homework and then using class time for more active‐learning activities is a form of hybrid pedagogy.
Social presence is especially important in online courses as it helps to reduce student feelings of isolation. Creating a human connection comes fairly easily in a face-to-face class, but online instructors have to work at it. If you’re not careful, you can find email taking over your life.
Strategies
Introduce Yourself
Create an engaging introduction video that makes students want to learn more. This introduction is one of the first things students will see when they begin your course. Introductory videos have the potential to humanize your presence, excite students about what they’ll experience in your course, and dispel fears among students who are new to online learning.
Stay Active
Use course announcements, use email to send individual group or class-wide messages, participate in the discussion boards, and use synchronous communication to enhance your social presence.
References
- Elaine Allen, Jeff Seaman, and Richard Garrett: Blending In (.pdf)
- Bonni Stachowiak (Teaching in Higher Ed) (2016): The Four Agreements of Teaching
- Center for Teaching Excellence (University of Florida): Chapter 42: Zoom
- Hong Wang (Faculty Focus) (2010): Eight ways to Increase Social Presence in your Online Class
- Center for Teaching Excellence (University of Florida) UF Instructor Guide: Chapter 10: Course Planning
- Center for Teaching Excellence (University of Florida) UF Instructor Guide: Chapter 29: Humanize Your Online Course
- Alexandra Bitton, Bailey, Ph.D. (University of Florida): Online Assessment (1:07:05)
- Jennifer K. Smith (University of Florida): Revamping Discussions for Online (1:17:16)
- Alexandra Bitton-Bailey, Ph.D. (University of Florida): Using Zoom to Make Learning Magic (37:54)
- UF +Quality Matters Rubric (Canvas login required)
- Frederick Kates, Ph.D., University of Florida (2019): Enhancing and Impacting the Online Classroom Environment with Infographics