How our faculty establish personal touch with learners 

Most individuals who plan to pursue an online degree feel that there is limited interaction in virtual classrooms, because they lack face-to-face interactions. In traditional classroom settings, faculty members have the opportunity to interact with students face-to-face and build relationships, which plays a crucial role in creating a supportive learning environment where students feel valued. Meanwhile, in online education faculty must employ creative strategies to establish a similar level of personal touch and connection with their learners.  

The need to establish personal touch 

One of the primary reasons why it is important for faculty to establish a personal touch with learners in an online learning setting is to foster a sense of belonging and community. Sometimes, online learners may feel isolated or disconnected from their virtual learning environment. By reaching out to learners on a personal level, faculty members can create a supportive online community where learners feel connected, supported, and motivated to participate actively in their studies. 

Interactive discussion forums  

Engaging in interactive discussions and forums is a great way for faculty to connect with their students in an online setting. By actively participating in discussions, asking questions, and providing feedback, faculty members can foster meaningful interactions with their students and create a sense of community within the online classroom. Here’s how our faculty member, Dr Jagriti Singh, creates a dynamic environment to keep her learners engaged.  

Dr Jagriti Singh, Assistant Professor, Management 

“I have found my classes to be dynamic and it is an enriching experience, considering the flexibility they offer. To ensure personal touch in my virtual classroom, I have tried to create an interactive and engaging environment. Despite interacting with learners through a digital medium, I try to build a meaningful relationship with them.” 

Personalized communication 

Providing personalized feedback on assignments, quizzes, and discussions is an effective way for faculty members to connect with their students and demonstrate their investment in their success. Personalized feedback allows faculty members to recognize students’ strengths, address areas for improvement, and offer encouragement and support. Our professor, Ms Monika Lamba, throws light on how she established personal relationships with her learners. 

Ms Monika Lamba, Assistant Professor, Computer Applications 

“I really enjoy taking online classes because in a virtual classroom, we have learners from a diverse age group. So, they are much more interactive and interested in online classes. I make learners feel welcome by interacting with them outside of academics. I sometimes have one-on-one interactions to solve their problems and queries. This makes learners feel that they are given importance in the virtual class.” 

Ice-breaking sessions 

Sometimes, students in a virtual classroom lack motivation. Conducting ice-breaking sessions can be a great way to grab their attention. By conducting fun and interactive activities, faculty members can establish a personal relationship with learners, which encourages them to attend live classes. Also, addressing learners by their names makes them feel value and noticed in a classroom.  

Dr Neha Mathur, Assistant Professor, Commerce & Management 

I establish relationships with my learners by organizing welcome sessions, by addressing them with their names, which make them feel included in the classroom. Sometimes, starting the class with ice-breaking sessions makes learners more comfortable and motivated.  

Conclusion 

Establishing a personal touch with learners in an online education setting requires intentional effort and creativity on the part of faculty members. By utilizing a combination of welcome videos, interactive discussions, virtual office hours, personalized feedback, social media engagement, collaborative activities, and empathy and support, faculty members can create meaningful connections with their students and enhance the overall learning experience in the virtual classroom. The faculty members at Manipal University Jaipur take personal effort in ensuring they create a dynamic, interactive and engaging environment during the live classes. This makes them more approachable, allowing learners to establish a personal connection with faculty, like they would otherwise in a traditional classroom setting.