Human touch is really all about creating and maintaining relationships. When students sense a trusting, caring relationship on the part of their instructor, students begin to perceive that their online experience is as much about them, or even more so, than the curriculum, projects, and test results. Students feel that their instructor is trying to establish a warm, supportive relationship, their sense of belonging and engagement increases. That’s just human nature.
The presentation will highlight examples of “human touch” in online courses, including those used by the presenter who has taught well over 100 undergraduate and graduate online college courses since 2000.
Dr. John Thompson is Associate Professor Emeritus at Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY, USA. He also operates his own educational consulting business – Global Learning Institute, Inc. Although retired, Dr. Thompson continues to teach 100% online courses for several institutions of higher education. He has taught some 150 online courses since 2000. He enjoys the flexibility of teaching online from his home office at all hours of the day and night. Dr. Thompson has chaired conferences, done presentation and paper reviews for numerous conferences and publications, made presentations at numerous local to international conferences, and has authored many publications in his field. Prior to working in higher education, his career experience included working in urban, suburban, and rural schools as an elementary and secondary classroom teacher (general education and special education), curriculum coordinator, principal, and school superintendent. He also functioned as director of training for two state governments and director of a university-based computer training organization.A recording of this presentation is available.
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