Redefining Presence — How to “Be There” for Online Learners

 

In traditional classrooms, presence is physical. In online learning, it's about intentionality. It’s about being seen, heard, and felt even when you’re not live on screen.

 

In Creating a Sense of Presence in Online Teaching, we define presence as a multidimensional experience that we co-create with our learners. Presence shows up in the way we design our courses, facilitate interactions, and respond with care.

 

Ways to build presence include:

• Weekly announcements and videos: Let students hear your voice, see your face, and feel your enthusiasm.
• Timely and personalized responses: Acknowledging student efforts and struggles builds connection.
• Thoughtful course layout: Clarity and consistency reflect care.

 

Presence is not accidental—it is constructed through the use of strategic tools and

 

Lehman, R. M., & Conceição, S. C. (2010). Creating a Sense of Presence in Online Teaching: How to “Be There” for Distance Learners. Jossey-Bass. 

 

How do you create and maintain presence in your online teaching? We’d love to hear your stories in the forum.