CHSS Online Teaching Initiative

Building Relationships with Students and Among Students

It is difficult to build trusting and long-lasting relationships with students in the absence of scheduled face-to-face interactions. At the same time, there are ways to connect to students and motivate them to achieve their educational goals in an online environment. Connections can be built through mutual introductions, frequent email communication, and interactions over the phone.

Instructors can introduce themselves at the beginning of the semester using a video recording or a presentation that discusses research, teaching experience, and interests. Instructors can request similar self-introductions from students and ask them to upload their pictures and respond to other students’ posts. Sending out announcements about holidays and breaks as well as events on campus can help students feel connected to the larger UHD community and available resources.

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