Bringing the human touch into the virtual classroom

The intrinsic human desire for meaningful relationships underscores the importance of establishing emotional connections between educators and students, particularly within virtual learning environments. So, how do we ensure that the human touch remains a fundamental aspect of learning in these contexts?

Build emotional connections

To cultivate connections with students, be approachable and responsive to their diverse needs, exhibit genuine interest in their experiences and remain open to their perspectives. 

Active listening plays a pivotal role, and educators should repeat what students have communicated to affirm understanding. This practice not only validates student contributions but encourages further dialogue. Additionally, seeking clarification where necessary ensures we accurately comprehend student input, preventing misunderstandings. Also, regular check-ins through video calls or messaging platforms can strengthen bonds between students and teachers. 

Nurture trust 

Trust is essential for effective teaching and learning, especially in online environments. Be mindful that online learners are also often juggling multiple responsibilities including work, family obligations and academic study, making them more easily overwhelmed, particularly during the lead-up to formative and summative assessment deadlines. Teachers should make their expectations of students clear and listen and respond proactively to queries. Also, ensure you remember and use students’ names and express gratitude for their contributions. Regularly check that students have understood what you are asking them to do. If possible, allow them to feed back anonymously to mitigate any potential embarrassment. You can do this by using polling functions or digital whiteboards by drawing a scale on it and requesting students rate their level of understanding on a scale from 1 to 10. All these strategies help create a safe space for students to express themselves and take risks throughout their learning journeys. 

• Resource collection: Enhance student engagement
• Teach and talk: encouraging student dialogue in class
• The rise and rise of the lecture-tainer

Use technology thoughtfully

Use tools such as discussion boards and chat functions to facilitate meaningful communication among students and between yourself and students. Ask questions that encourage deeper thinking such as “How does this concept apply to your personal experiences?” or “Can you give an example of how this might apply to your future practice?” 

It is also important to establish whether learners can access and use the different functions on the virtual learning platform. For instance, before assigning tasks that require breakout room participation, confirm that students can activate their microphones and cameras and are in a space that is conducive to such activities. This consideration is vital because some may find themselves in shared spaces or may encounter technical difficulties that impede their participation. By offering them the option to engage or simply observe, you are accommodating all students. Be sure to increase the size of the groups if needed to ensure that there are sufficient participants for a meaningful discussion.

Personalise learning experiences

Varied cognitive abilities, learning styles, cultural backgrounds, levels of emotional intelligence and personal interests call for personalised approaches to teaching. Be flexible and offer students a choice of how to participate. For example, you can offer various ways to interact, such as the option to pose and respond to questions verbally, through writing in the chat feature or anonymously on a collaborative whiteboard. This not only boosts student involvement but includes diverse needs and preferences.

We can also tailor assessments and feedback to meet individual student needs. This could involve offering different options for assessment format, such as a written essay or a presentation. Providing written feedback on assignments is standard practice in many institutions but by branching out to audio or video recordings we can offer a more personalised experience.

Encourage community-building

Creating a sense of community within the virtual classroom is vital for reducing feelings of isolation. At the beginning of class, engage with learners to gauge the emotional climate. This way, you can facilitate self-regulation by allowing time for learners to grab a drink and take a comfort break, engaging in conversation to ease students into the session or modelling some relaxed breathing. You can also plan icebreaker activities to initiate interactions among students or facilitate group discussions to help build rapport.

Follow up post-class

After concluding your sessions, send out follow-up emails thanking learners for attending and providing additional resources such as slides and links to relevant online material. You may also find it beneficial to use a survey to collect insights that could help you improve future sessions. Helpful questions to ask may include how relevant the topic was to their interests or professional needs, how satisfied they were with the opportunities for interaction and how satisfied they were on a scale of one to five with the depth and clarity of the information presented.

By implementing these strategies and actively responding to feedback, we can ensure that emotional connections remain at the forefront of the educational experience.

Lauren Flannery is lecturer in health sciences at the School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia.

If you would like advice and insight from academics and university staff delivered direct to your inbox each week, sign up for the Campus newsletter.