Trail Markers
Present Beyond The Welcome Video
When hiking on a trail, you'll typically find clear markers, maintained paths, and occasional benches (thank goodness for small mercies!) – all carefully placed to guide hikers without someone physically leading the way. That's exactly what good online teaching should feel like: well-marked paths with strategic rest stops, even when the guide isn't physically present.
Being "present" in a virtual classroom isn't about constantly hovering over your students – it's about creating clear pathways and meaningful waypoints that help them feel supported.
My journey to a better online instructor presence started with a simple welcome video. Nothing fancy – just me, my webcam, and genuine enthusiasm for my subject. I shared why I love teaching, what fascinates me about my field, and my approach to guiding students through the course. But instructor presence isn't about marking the trail once and walking away. It's about maintaining engagement throughout the semester. As a self-proclaimed introvert who tends to retreat under pressure (it’s so people-y out there sometimes!!), I've learned that mapping these interactions in advance is crucial.
Here's my roadmap for staying present without burning out:
Plan Your Appearances. Use your LMS's adaptive release features to schedule announcements and reminders. Think of it as setting your teaching autopilot – craft messages now for key moments later in the semester.
Create Your "Shoulda-Coulda-Woulda" List. I keep a hidden page in my LMS where I note everything that needs updating or has worked particularly well. No more scratching your head, wondering, "Which link was broken in Module 4?"
Template Everything. Those repeated student questions about office hours or assignment extensions? Create email templates to copy and paste from, and always hyperlink the syllabus. Your future self will thank you.
Mix Up Your Media. Break free from text-only teaching. Add games, memes, infographics – anything to make online learning feel less like reading a digital textbook all.the.time.
Schedule Your Check-Ins. Block time each week for your various "buckets" – grading, planning, emails. Being organized helps you be more present when students need you.
Before Your Next Class:
Choose one presence-building strategy and implement it this week. Maybe it's creating that welcome video or setting up email templates. You can start small, but start somewhere.
Share this with that professor who turns Canvas announcements into must-read weekly episodes, and SUBSCRIBE for bite-sized strategies delivered straight to your inbox. We're in this semester together.
