Create and maintain the connection with the students
The Oxford dictionary defines rapport as
“a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well.”
Building rapport online, contrary to what some sceptics might suggest, IS possible. There is no rocket science here - just be human and show a genuine interest towards the students. In this section we shortly present you the ABCs of it (14) - what do teachers that manage to build rapport with students specifically do?
Synchronous online communication does half of the work: you interact in real time, face to face, you see each other and you hear each other.
Attention to personal details always goes a long way: finding out young people’s interests and likes, then asking questions about them, e.g.; “how did your gaming session go?”, acknowledge the individuality of the students, notice personal things about them, show care and concern (ask how they are feeling today).
Allow yourself to be “off-topic” sometimes - occasionally do “just for fun” things. Be positive and humorous (joke as much as possible). Make social conversation (the so-called small talk). Don’t use a too formal language. Express your personality.
Be supportive: offer help, praise their effort - not only their results, provide feedback, reinforce, encourage, be open to questions, manifest availability and respond quickly. And last but not least - don’t treat them like kids.
It seems like a lot, but you just need to be human, be there, and acknowledge their individuality. And you will win them over!
14 - Adapted from the “Online presence training”, on https://yowomo.co.uk/trainer-ecke/ ; Elizabeth Murphy and María A. Rodriguez-Manzanares - “Rapport in distance education”; Errol Craig Sull - “Tips for Establishing a Rapport with Online Students”.