Hello??? Anyone Out There?The Importance of Instructor Presence in Online Courses

David H. Reid, Ph.D., University of MissouriCathryn Friel, Instructional Designer

University of Missouri

Instructor Presence – F2F

https://www.flickr.com/photos/audiolucistore/

Instructor Presence - Online

The Big Idea

https://www.flickr.com/photos/qisur/

Did It Work?

!http://justsomething.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/hilarious-pinterest-fails-21.jpg

Qualitative Results  High Instructor Social Presence Low Instructor Social Presence

Treatment Provided Guidance Valued instructor feedback Timely responses.

Lack of feedback. Lack of interaction. Delayed instructor

response.Comparison Timely responses.

Provided Guidance Only wants to do what is

explicitly required. Wanted additional

guidance/scaffolding Delayed instructor

response.

Sheridan & Kelly (2010) – Most frequently cited indicator by students for instructorpresence was responding in timely manner. Indicators of providing feedback and clear requirements were also among most cited indicators of instructor presence.

Qualitative Results

• High Instructor Presence: – Anne felt that her instructor always replied

promptly back to her.

• Low Instructor Presence: – Jill felt that her instructor would take a day or two

to respond to questions.

Roles

Constructs

Timeliness Feedback

Relevancy Immediacy

Discussion

Takeaways

• “It’s the connection. It’s the relationships.”– Rita F. Pierson from Every Kid Needs a Champion, TED Talks Education

Don’t forget to….

Pay it

Forward