As you probably already know from your own experience as a student and educator, being the instructor of a course comes with great responsibility. Not only are you responsible for ensuring students work toward academic demands but you become students’ primary point of contact for questions, concerns, and comments related to the course itself. Students look to you to help them process new information, make meaningful connections, and facilitate a rich learning experience.
Your Role in Supporting Student Success
Your role is critical in supporting student success, particularly from a course delivery standpoint. While having organized course content that is aligned to the course objectives and goals is an important component, having these elements without an instructor that is energetic and present in the course can leave students feeling isolated and overwhelmed. As the person delivering the course, you have the unique role of:
- developing an instructor presence that encourages students to feel supported.
- finding ways to engage students who may seem uninterested in the course.
- reminding students they are part of a learning community, in all forms that may take (discussions, teams, virtual office hours, virtual meetings, hybrid in-person meetings, etc.).
- providing students clear and consistent communication and feedback to help them move toward mastery of course objectives and goals.
- creating unique and flexible pathways for success in your course.
- motivating, enlightening, challenging, and encouraging students during the course of the semester.
