Student-teacher relationships in online learning

One of the most powerful variables in the online education environment is the interaction in the student-teacher relationship. This is a critical factor influencing students’ achievement, school engagement, and academic motivation, as well as the student-teacher relationship, which is influenced by the social setting. Many elements, such as gender, influence teacher-student interactions, which, in turn, influence students’ behavior and academic outcomes.

A positive relationship with a student, according to educators, is  supportive, but not unduly reliant. A caring teacher thinks that all children can learn, albeit at various rates and in different ways, and sets high expectations, is kind and trusting, and works to keep the relationship conflict-free. He or she also has a sense of humor, admits mistakes, establishes clear limits, and is open, honest, and approachable.

Why it is necessary to build student teacher relationship in online education

Many instructors’ employment now includes online learning, posing new design issues such as how to transfer brick-and-mortar skills to online learning system, how to care for and support students online, and how to ensure effective virtual learning. To build a good relationship between student and teacher, the role of the teacher and role of students both is equally necessary.

Virtual learning is a long-term process where class teachers play an important role in which the teacher  guides, motivates, and shapes the students towards professional scholarship. Teaching is the sharing of knowledge within a specific discipline, structured around a specific course, whereas mentoring is a long-term process in which the mentor guides, motivates, and shapes the mentees towards professional scholarship. Both require labor on both sides and are founded on power, inequity, and hierarchy. Teachers may become student mentors, but mentoring is a voluntary process; it is a personal and professional relationship that is also organic in nature. The focus of this conversation is on the student teacher relationship in the classroom rather than mentorship.

Guide to maintain student and teacher relationship in this online learning

• Make use of audiovisual content

Add movies to your virtual classes and feedback to make them more interesting. Breaking up written lesson plans with visuals that closely resemble the actual classroom is a good idea. Teachers can keep videos unlisted on video services like Youtube and Vimeo (premium access) so that they don’t show up in public searches. You may not want to record the entire course, but giving your students a personal introduction can help you establish great ties between student and teacher.

• Incorporate a personal touch

There is a great deal of instability in our lives right now, which young people will notice. In the midst of this uncertainty, anything familiar will bring some sort of solace. Personalizing classes, for example, will convince students that you are still there for them and that you care about them. Recording a video message to the class, using chat services, writing emails to particular students, or putting class-specific details in your worksheets or activities are all examples of ways to personalize a lesson.

• Pay attention to your relationships.

The importance of classroom connections in student learning cannot be overstated. While building relationships in virtual learning can be more difficult, it is still critical. Try to share yourself with your students in ways that are natural to you while staying true to your own personal boundaries. Consider showing students your pets, a plant you’ve raised from a seedling, or an activity you’ve been working on outside of the classroom. You might also want to share with your class some of the aspects of the current situation that are stressful to you and how you are dealing with them. Giving your students a glimpse into your personal life can help you maintain and improve the student-teachers relationship.

Build community spirit

Students may feel lonely and upset due to the loss of connection with their classmates as a result of physical separation. These are emotions that many of us are feeling right now. Setting daily goals for your students to work on and encouraging them to share their progress and successes with the class will help them feel more connected to their classmates in virtual classrooms. Art, origami, cuisine, film, and dancing challenges may all be readily documented and shared within the community via images or recordings. Students who participate in these challenges and share their progress and final projects build new bonds and reinforce old ones. 

• Create a playlist for your classroom

Virtually connecting with individuals can be done in a variety of ways. Music, for example, is a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with their teachers in online education. Make a class playlist by asking your students what music they listen to while studying. Students will feel more connected to you and the rest of the class if you engage and collaborate with them based on their interests. This will show them that you view them as more than simply a name on a class roll or a screen.

For individuals who need to understand the significance of the student-teacher relationship, there is a wealth of information available. You’ll learn how to create a healthy and helpful teacher-student connection in this section. Class plays an important role in building a healthy relationship between teachers and students. Classplus provides a great teaching platform where teachers can get their own teaching app and they do not have to depend on any other device to get known among students. They can be very comfortable at their home take the online class and there they can take all the initiative to build a better relation with students.

A peaceful environment can create a healthy and friendly interaction between students and teachers and that can be quite beneficial. A strong relationship between teachers and students is continuing to grow, benefiting not just teachers and students but also parents and administrators. Building a healthy teacher-student connection will take time and work, but it will be beneficial to both students and teachers. There is no doubt that good student-teacher interactions have numerous advantages.