In an online course, students can’t see you at the front of the classroom—but they still need to feel your presence. A strong instructor presence helps students stay motivated, reduces feelings of isolation, and improves learning outcomes. The good news is that presence doesn't require being online 24/7. It’s about strategic visibility: showing up in your course design, using your voice in announcements, providing timely feedback, and creating regular, predictable points of contact throughout the week.

You can build this kind of presence in advance by scheduling weekly announcements, recording short video check-ins, or embedding comments and context directly into your modules. Simple phrases like “Here’s why this matters...” or “You’ll use this again during your final project” help students hear your voice, even in writing. Set expectations early for when and how you’ll be available, and then follow through consistently. If you're not sure where to start, the Trulaske Instructional Technologist can help you design engagement strategies that fit your teaching style and workload—so students feel connected even when you're not online in real time.

To establish a strong instructor presence online without being constantly present, try these strategies:

1. Pre-Scheduled Communication

Set up automated announcements in Canvas to remind students about key deadlines or share encouragement.
Use pre-recorded video messages to introduce weekly topics, making the course feel more personal.

2. Active but Asynchronous Engagement

Participate in discussions strategically by "liking" or endorsing insightful student posts.
Use weekly summary emails or announcements to address common questions and highlight great contributions.

3. Personalized but Scalable Feedback

Create template feedback snippets for assignments to speed up grading while maintaining a personal touch.
Use audio or video feedback in Canvas SpeedGrader to add a human connection without live interaction.

4. Thoughtful Course Design

Write a warm, welcoming syllabus that sets clear expectations and makes students feel supported.
Use well-organized modules with clear instructions so students can navigate the course independently.

By setting up a structured yet flexible online presence, students will feel supported even if you’re not live 24/7. For a personalized consultation, please contact the Trulaske Instrutional Technologist, Angela Knoerr.