This page is related to Student Interaction
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At a Glance
Strong interaction in an online course doesn’t happen by accident; it takes the creation of early, intentional activities that help students connect to each other and to you, their instructor. By planning meaningful opportunities for students to engage with one another, you can create a connected and impactful learning experience.
Establish Clear Expectations/Guidelines
Students need to know when, where, and how to engage. Providing clear instructions for interaction — including how often students should participate, what good participation looks like, and how their contributions will be evaluated — sets the stage for a positive experience (Kelly & Zakrajsek, 149-151). Establishing these expectations early reduces confusion and supports stronger community building.
Explain the Why
Intentional interaction isn’t busywork; it builds real skills students will need in their professional lives. Practicing clear communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and the ability to engage thoughtfully with diverse perspectives directly supports students’ future career success. Make this connection clear to students: if they understand why they are being asked to do something and how it will benefit them, they are more likely to put in extra time and effort.
Set the Tone
Students take their cues from you. If interaction isn’t part of the course culture from day one, it’s harder to build later. Start by posting a short (2–3 minute) welcome video to help students see you as a real person (Darby & Lang, 90). Don’t be afraid to humanize yourself and share a hobby, a favorite book, or what drew you to the subject you’re teaching.
If you use a discussion board for Introductions, take a moment to revisit your questions and make them more engaging. Whether you are working with a cohort of students who already know each other or a group that is meeting for the first time, try asking for something fun that also connects to course content or future assignments (Darby & Lang, 83). For example, in a recently developed Social Sciences course, the instructor asked, “If you could interview anyone in the world from any time period, who would it be and why?” This not only lets students share their personality and interests—it also sets the stage for an assignment where they would later conduct an interview.
Conclusion
Strong interaction in online courses requires early, intentional design. Set clear expectations for participation, explain how interaction builds real-world skills, and model engagement from the start. A short welcome video and creative introduction prompts can help humanize you and foster community. When students understand the purpose behind their interactions, they’re more likely to engage meaningfully.