As you wrap up your Fall classes and turn your attention towards next semester’s courses, consider ways you can welcome your next group of students to your course and increase their sense of belonging.
Despite promising improvements, depression and anxiety are still prominent among college students. While there are many reasons for this, one contributing factor recognized by students and experts alike is an increased sense of loneliness.
With this in mind, it is key that we create environments in which students feel welcomed and valued in our classrooms to ensure that they succeed, and this work doesn’t have to wait for the first day of the semester.
Create a Welcome Video
One great practice to promote student engagement and belonging is to create a welcome video prior to the start of the semester that introduces your students to you and the course. This can relieve anxiety over expectations and help students build a connection to you before the term even begins. Such videos offer meaningful connections that can be particularly powerful for students in online courses (Whiteside et al. 2016), but are beneficial for all students.
Why video?
Any welcome message will be helpful for your students’ success. However, video gives students a chance really connect with you. If you are teaching an online course, research shows that “the inclusion of personalized video content does develop a quasi-relationship between teacher and student, and these relationships are the driving factor behind the success of students” (Underdown & Martin, 2016, 8).
What should you include?
- Introduce yourself. A welcome video is a great way to show students that you are a real person. Share a bit about your expertise and experience, as well as a personal detail you feel comfortable sharing.
- Demonstrate your passion for the course topic. Excitement is contagious! Tell students how you became interested in the course topic and if there are things you are particularly excited for them to do/learn.
- Introduce the course. Provide details that will help students see “the big picture.” What are the course learning objectives? Are there program- or university-level learning objectives your course will help them achieve? Is your course a prerequisite for future courses?
- Point to useful resources. Help students see that they are not alone by telling them where to find information about tutoring and other helpful resources that will help them succeed.
- Guide students to the next step. Let students know what they should expect from you next and what the expectations are for Day 1.
Conclusion
Remember that the goal of the video is to make students feel welcome. This means it’s best to avoid discipline jargon or discussion of course policies. Instead, use this space to show that you are an individual and that you recognize your students are too. Help students see you are excited to learn with them. While sending a welcome message or posting a video for students is only the first step, it can make a big impact on students’ sense of belonging and success in your course.
For more tips on helping students feel welcome in your course, check out Madeleine Gonin’s post on “How to Humanize Your Classroom Using an Inclusive Syllabus” or make a consultation with the CITL!
Citations
Alonso, J. (11 Sep 2024). “College Students’ Mental Health Takes a Turn—For the Better.” Inside Higher Ed.
Gonin, M. (7 Aug 2024). “Welcoming your students and setting them up for success.” Indiana University Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.
Mowreader, A. (19 Aug 2024). “Survey: Getting a Grip on the Student Mental Health Crisis.” Inside Higher Ed.
Murthy, V.H. (2023). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.
Underdown, K. and J. Martin. (2016). “Engaging the Online Student: Instructor-Created Video Content for the Online Classroom.” Journal of Instructional Research. Volume 5.
Whiteside, A.L., A.G. Dikkers, and S. Lewis. (2017). “Overcoming Isolation Online.” Social Presence in Online Learning: Strategies to Enhance Social Presence in Practice. Routledge.
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