| | 9 October 2020delivering fundamental information to help make learning easier. Of course, learners also play an important role in setting--or upsetting--the tone in any course. But when instructors are present, when they work consciously (even in competency-based learning) tobuild a network of interactions, communicating with students, providing useful feedback, and sharing content in clear and organized ways, that draws students together into a learning community, that lays the foundation for a quality course experience. Perhaps you're thinking that it seems strange to be focusing on these points in a publication devoted to educational technology! Remember, then, that delivery of all of these items in asynchronous or synchronous online classes requires the use of technology, from learning management systems to video production platforms to email. But online courses are not just about technology. Rather, technology provides the tools that allow us to deliver education. Granted, some of those tools can be absolutely amazing, but all the tools in the world won't help if we forget about the core teaching concepts that form a course's quality foundation.At the core of those concepts is presence. Establishing presence as an instructor is important in any format, but especially in online courses, where body language cues can't be seen, or the reassuring sense of togetherness that sometimes comes from sharing a physical space can't be felt. Online classes connect individuals in their own discrete spaces through technology. That can feel isolating, and that isolation does not breed community. Students need to sense that their teacher is acknowledging them, communicating with them, participating in and leading their course, to help sustain their motivation to learn.This is especially important during these socially distanced times.Fortunately, the same technology that separates students can be used to bring them together. Using their learning management system, video production platforms, and email, instructors can to post information students need to begin a course: who (professionally and/or personally) is their instructor, how/when can they be contacted, and what can they expect from the course. In addition, instructors can share what will actually be in that course, helping students to see what they'll be able to demonstrate by the course's end, and how content fits together to help them achieve those goals. Being clear, detailed, and welcoming in this initial push of information identifies an instructor as trustworthy to lead a class and provide support to the students in it. This begins the instructor's establishment of presence. Next, when the course gets underway, instructors can layer in two-way communication. This can include content-driven discussions and replies to individual questions within your learning management system, email, video, web conferencing office hour conversations, even (for those willing to share such contacts) texts, social media posts, and phone calls. Then, once students have begun to turn in assignments, instructors can provide feedback. Helping students to see what they've done well, what they need to improve, and how to make those changes, is a critical part of the learning process. Again, technology can help here, as instructors can use communication tools to share individual and group information about student progress. Please note, though, instructors must maintain these communications throughout each course. Students don't need micromanaging, but they do need to know that their instructor is still with them as they progress through the learning experience. Using technology to build a dynamic pattern of interactions can help reinforce an instructor's presence within an online learning environment, and that can help enrich online course quality, during the time of Covid-19, or anytime. Kriss FerlugaStudents don't need micromanaging, but they do need to know that their instructor is still with them as they progress through the learning experience
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