Strategies for Fostering Connection in Synchronous Teaching

In addition to considering the role of teaching presence in asynchronous and synchronous course design and facilitation, there are some strategies specific to encouraging connection.  When teaching in real-time we have a unique opportunity to inspire, and connect with our students, and provide students with opportunities to connect with each other. However, in order to take advantage of this space we need to be intentional about how we set up and facilitate the environment. The following strategies for creating a sense of presence in synchronous sessions is based on the strategies proposed by Finkelstein 2006, Lowenthal 2020, McDaniels et all 2016. 

Fostering Connection in Synchronous Sessions

• Build in Interaction to help create a sense of community and connection: Use polls, whiteboard annotation activities to create connection in your teaching
• Specify and Maintain Focus:   State what method learners should be using to participate a particular time. This method can change throughout a given learning activity, for example, use a whiteboard to share ideas and then use a text area for discussion but a facilitator should be explicit about where the attention should be at any given point.
• Use Virtual Body Language:  Create a sense of presence in synchronous sessions by using emoticons, polls, and other non-verbal cues.  Ways of doing this include:  Elicit emoticons from   emotions reflexively when listening, Use polls as proxies for body language similar to raising hand, Employ Online Cue to Judge Learners State of Mind, how often do learners respond, do they respond to certain cues?
• Model: The type and level of interaction that supports student engagement during live sessions
• Make Everyone Feel Included: Try to recognize and solicit contributions from as many learners as possible
• Focus participants on different areas of the interface i.e textual comments, poll results e.g. Let’s turn all our attention to the text chat area,“ I am going to turn off the audio and video for a few minutes, Please respond to questions in the chat."
• Be transparent with students as to your reasons for including live sessions in your online courses.
• Establish Collections between and among Participants and Students: Start each live session with a brief ice-breaker and/or get-to-know-you activity to help establish and to get warmed up with the technology before launching into more coursework-oriented activities.