Humanizing Online Teaching and Learning

Taking an online course can be an isolating experience for some students, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Teaching in an online modality could be a great way to incorporate social interaction and foster a sense of community among students to create a positive and supportive learning environment, which can lead to better academic performance and mental well-being. Facilitating connection with the instructor through virtual office hours and one-on-one meetings can help build trust and understanding between students and instructors. By incorporating social interaction, personalization, and multimedia, online learning can be made more engaging for students.

• Incorporate social interaction: Encourage students to communicate and collaborate with one another through discussion boards, group projects, and virtual office hours.
• Personalize the learning experience: use consistent and meaningful feedback to tailor instruction and provide individualized support.
• Use multimedia: incorporate videos, images, and other types of media to make the content more engaging and interactive.
• Facilitate connection with instructor: provide opportunities for students to connect with the instructor, such as through virtual office hours or one-on-one meetings.
• Provide opportunities for active learning: use interactive activities and hands-on projects to involve students in the learning process.
• Allow for flexible scheduling: having a well-structured class, activities, and assessment schedule is a part of a teaching requirement. A structured schedule with clear deadlines instills strong time management skills in students, which can be beneficial for those who struggle with self-regulation and planning. It is important to note that the goal is to provide a balance between flexibility and structure. One way to achieve this is to provide a general schedule or syllabus that outlines the major milestones and due dates for the course, while also allowing students some flexibility in terms of when and how they complete specific tasks and assignments.
• Emphasize the relevance of the content: show students how the material relates to their lives and future careers
• Encourage regular feedback and evaluation: provide opportunities for students to give and receive feedback on their performance and progress.