In online courses, students can feel isolated without the regular, human touchpoints that naturally occur in a physical classroom. Two easy, effective ways to intentionally connect with students, build presence, and foster community are through live sessions and just-in-time video messages. These elements create moments of connection that support motivation, trust, and learning.
Live Sessions
Create a sense of belonging and engagement, support application of course concepts, and humanize the learning experience!
Live sessions are optional* real-time meetings that give students the chance to interact with you and with one another. These sessions are not lectures, they’re designed around dialogue, exploration, and connection. They should be offered in the meeting tool provided by your institution (e.g. Zoom, Teams, etc.).
Live Session Examples
- Case discussions
- Problem-solving sessions
- Workforce-relevant conversations
- Q&A and guided reflections
Download this example of a Gamified Recall live session to explore how this type of live session could enhance your course!
Tips for Success
- Plan for a maximum of 2-3 live sessions per term in accelerated courses
- Keep sessions under an hour in length
- Collaborate with your instructional designer to align sessions with your course goals
*Students who are unable to attend the live session should be provided with an equivalent learning experience available in the LMS (discussion, peer review, individual activity, etc.) and the recording of the live session.
Just-in-Time Video
Maintain a regular, personal instructor presence and help students stay on track with minimal friction.
Just-in-time videos are short, casual video updates. They’re created each week by the course facilitator to keep students informed and engaged. You should record just-in-time videos in video hosting platform provided by your institution (e.g. Panopto, Kaltura, VoiceThread, etc.).
Just-in-Time Examples
- Weekly overviews or "what to expect"
- Quick, course-level feedback or clarification
- Mid-course check-ins
- Sharing relevant news or stories
Check out these great examples of just-in-time “learning nudges” from Fabiola Torres:
Tips for Success
- Aim to keep these videos less than 5 minutes in length
- Keep it informal, no need for scripts or slides
- Think of it like a video version of an email
