Engaging and effective online courses demonstrate a clear plan for consistent instructor-initiated contact. Exemplary courses build on this by offering multiple opportunities for contact through a wide range of communication tools, such as announcements, discussions, and others.

This may take many forms, depending on your teaching style. For example, your plan might be outlined in the syllabus, on your homepage, and/or on a page in your Orientation module.

Regardless of where it is located, your plan for instructor-initiated contact should explicitly state how you will be communicating with students, and with what tools.

Will you be posting an announcement or two each week?
Will you be sending any messages via the Canvas Inbox?
Will you be participating in the discussions? How frequently?
Will you be providing comments in the grade book?
Overall, how often (and how) should students expect to hear from you?

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Where is the Teacher? Defining the Role of Instructor Presence in Social Presence and Cognition in Online Education

Cathy L. Barnes, in the second chapter of the book, Humanizing Online Teaching and Learning, discusses critical reasons for instructors to be present in theri online classes. Additionally she identifies several strategies that one can employ to increase presence in an asynchronous online course. As you read through this resource you may wish to record ideas that you may consider using in your course.

Image: "Orange megaphone on orange wall" by Oleg Laptev is in the Public Domain, CC0

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