Learning Goals and Objectives

Upon completion of this module, participants should be able to :

Define "presence" as it relates to online teaching.
Access a Canvas group area and participate in a group activity.
Discuss the importance of instructor presence in the online classroom
Explore key strategies for establishing instructor and student presence in an online classroom.

Introduction to Presence, Presence, PRESENCE!

Yes, we know this is shouting, but it truly is all about presence in online teaching! Our students can forgive our technological ineptitude, they will forget our poor classroom design, and most will be generous about our grading errors if they understand that there really is a human being teaching their online courses.

And what does our students' forgiveness, forgetfulness, and generosity really mean - it means that students learn better and are more satisfied in online courses with a strong teaching presence. Regardless of how instruction is delivered, effective learning is always about the the teacher, and never about the technology. Technology is only a tool to be used by teachers and students.

As an introduction to the topic, please watch the following video Curt Bonk from Indiana University (9 minutes) where he quickly outlines some effective, practical things you can do to create instructor presence right away in your online courses.

http://youtu.be/Y6mMMWWWT9w

Continue on to the next page to access the reading and videos for this week.