What is "instructor presence" online?

Teaching , or instructor, presence is critical in online course. You've heard that time and again, no doubt, but what does it really mean from a student's point of view? Kathleen Sheridan and Melissa A. Kelly of National-Louis University in Chicago decided to find out. In a nutshell…

The most important ways instructors can make their presence meaningful for students were:

1. Makes course requirements clear
2. Clearly communicated important due dates/time frames for learning activities
3. Sets clear expectations for discussion participation
4. Provides clear instructions on how to participate in course learning activities
5. Provides timely feedback on assignments and projects
6. Clearly communicates important course topics
7. Creates a course that is easy to navigate
8. Clearly communicated important course goals
9. Keeps the course calendar updated
10. Always follows through with promises made to students

And these were the least important:

1. Uses icebreakers to help students become familiar with one another
2. Responds to student questions when ever I need a response/24 hours a day
3. Feedback and comments are always positive
4. Provides weekly lectures
5. Participate daily in discussions
6. Reply to each individual student's posts in the discussion area
7. Provide a video that allows me to hear and see the instructor
8. Engages in "real time" chat sessions
9. Create chapter quizzes
10. Has a personal website for me to go to

Rather enlightening, don't you think? Assuming our students are like those of NLU, this provides some guidance as to where to put your effort when you develop your online course. In future posts I'll address some of the ways you can apply some of the things on that "most important" list.

To see the details of the study go to http://jolt.merlot.org/vol6no4/sheridan_1210.htm.