Building a rapport with your students in the first week of class is a great way to get the class started on the right foot. Connecting with students in an online environment can be challenging for both students and faculty. The Faculty Focus article “Encouragement for Online Learners” written by Dr. Jeremiah E. Shipp provides some quick ways to build that relationship right from the start and create a culture of encouragement throughout the term through the use of video. 

Creating a “Midweek Motivation” video is a technique that can help encourage your students. These short videos should focus on your own personal challenges with the material and life in general to help students see that they are not alone in their struggles. This helps to make you appear more human and help to foster relationships that build trust and respect.

Being visible can help to make you more approachable. This technique helps to open the door for more questions or conversations that can be handled in virtual office hours or zoom sessions. Midweek Motivation videos should be include the following components:

  • Be Authentic! – Always be yourself when communicating to your students. It’s easy for people to relate to other people when they are genuine. Students will be able to see you in your own element and can better connect and relate to you.
  • Be Creative! – Engaging students in an online environment can be challenging. Using your own creativity within your Midweek Motivation video can help to keep students engaged throughout the course.
  • Build Community – Encourage your students to be mentors to each other. Sharing knowledge and creating discussions around the course material can help other students within the community feel empowered and inspired.
 
If you are interested in learning more about creating a Midweek Motivation video you can access the above article at https://s16815.pcdn.co/articles/online-education/online-course-encouragement/ .

You can find information on using Kaltura, our preferred video technology resource, online at https://it.granite.edu/kaltura-instructors . Please be sure to include a script or closed captioning when using video for ADA accessibility.

Have suggestions or strategies that have worked well in similar situations? We would love to hear them. Click here to share!

Thank you for all that you do for our students!

- The Office of Academic Affairs at Granite State College