Present When Not In Person
Creating Instructor Presence
When I first started teaching online, I felt like I had to be everywhere at once—answering emails at all hours, constantly updating content, and trying to replicate the energy of my in-person classes. It was exhausting. Over time, though, I realized that being present didn’t mean being available 24/7.
Instead, it meant showing up in intentional and consistent ways that let my students know I was there for them, even if we never shared the same physical space.
One of the biggest game-changers for me was learning to plan ahead. Early on, I’d scramble to send out announcements or reminders the night before a deadline, often forgetting something important in the rush. Now, I map everything out at the start of the semester. I compare my syllabus to the academic calendar, jot down key dates, and set up announcements and emails in my LMS to roll out automatically. Adaptive release has become my best friend, and it frees me up to focus on connecting with students in more meaningful ways.
That connection really hinges on staying fresh and engaged. I’ve fallen into the trap of reusing the same course materials without much thought, but students notice when something feels dated or irrelevant. To keep things fresh, I keep a running “Shoulda-Coulda-Woulda” list in my LMS—a private page where I jot down ideas, broken links, or things that worked well to revisit later. It’s my secret weapon for staying organized and making sure my courses evolve over time.
Stress, of course, can derail even my best plans. I’ve learned to slow down and give myself space to reflect. Whether it’s setting aside time to review my workflow each week or carving out quiet moments to respond thoughtfully to student questions, these intentional pauses help me stay present. And let’s not forget email—what a time-sink that can be! I’ve started using templates for those repeat questions about office hours, grades, or assignment extensions, which saves me from typing the same responses over and over. It’s a small change, but it’s made a huge difference.
Before Your Next Class:
Being present in an online class doesn’t mean doing more—it means working smarter. By planning ahead, keeping materials relevant, and staying intentional in my interactions, I’ve found that my students feel supported and connected. Isn’t that what teaching is all about?
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