Instructor Presence & Student Engagement
Objectives
By the end of this presentation you should be able to...
Identify key elements of regular and substantive interaction (RSI) across student–teacher, student–student, and student–content engagement.
Recognize course features that support meaningful interaction and engagement.
Apply simple, time-efficient strategies to increase instructor presence and student engagement.
Explore technology tools that enhance interaction and plan for their use in courses.
Introduction
Regular & Substantive Interaction
Regular = predictable, consistent, and frequent Substantive = meaningful, academic, and moves learning forward This interaction can be...
- Student - Teacher
- Student - Student
- Student - Content
+ INFO
01
STudent-Teacher Interaction
What Presence Looks Like to Students
• “My instructor is paying attention”
• “My work matters”
• “Someone will respond if I need help”
Content Expertise
Instructor Presence
+ INFO
+ INFO
Active Facilitation
Feed Forward
+ INFO
+ INFO
VS
Non-Substantive
Substantive
“This week, we're applying X theory to real-world scenarios. Many of you struggled with Y last week—watch for that as you complete the case study.”
“Week 3 is open. Complete your assignments."
VS
Non-Substantive
Substantive
"Your argument is clear, but your evidence is mostly descriptive. Try integrating at least one scholarly source to strengthen your claim.”
“Good job."
02
STudent-Student Interaction
Discussions
Designed, Not Just Assigned Discussions
Structured Interaction
• Clear expectations for replies:
o Build on ideas
o Ask questions
o Offer alternative viewpoints
• Assign roles when helpful:
o Devil's advocate
o Synthesizer
o Connector to readingsTip: Use a rubric to provide expectations and make grading fast and easy.
Prompt Creation Require:o Application, not recall
o Multiple perspectives
o Personal or professional connection
Tip: Use AI to construct prompts requiring higher-order thinking, reflection, or application.
+ INFO
Student Interaction
Structured Peer Exchange
Social Learning
Quick Ideas
Student–student interaction plays a critical role in college learning by helping students actively process ideas, test their understanding, and learn from diverse perspectives. When students engage with one another through discussion, collaboration, or peer feedback, they deepen their comprehension and build essential communication and teamwork skills.
Community Building
Classroom Polls
03
Student-Content Interaction
Content Interactions
Improve content interaction with:
03
02
01
Guided Engagement
Active Learning
Student Choice
Formative Assessment
- Misconceptions
- Student growth and self regulation
- Long term memory
+ INFO
"Instructor presence is not about being everywhere—it’s about being strategically visible."
Questions?
02
- Reading guides
- Study guides
- Callout boxes
A helpful test:
Does this interaction guide, challenge, or deepen student learning?”
Instructor-Supported Dialogue
Instructor highlights strong contributions or give cccasional nudges...o “No one has challenged this assumption yet—any thoughts?”
01
- Case studies
- Interactive scenarios
Moving learning forward by:
Providing specific, actionable comments on assignments. o Identify strengths
o Point out gaps
o Suggest next steps
Provide expertise by using:
- Callouts
- Big Ideas
- Micro-content
Consider..
Low-stakes practice with immediate feedback, check-ins such as polls or muddiest poings, and model assignments.
Show your presence by:
Creating weekly announcements that: o Preview upcoming content
o Connect topics to real-world application
o Address common misconceptions from last week Short video or audio overview (2–5 minutes)
Actively facilitate by:
- Addressing misconceptions in advance or immediately when they occur.
- Jumping into discussions to ask probing or strategic questions.
03
- Class concensus
- Individual choice
Instructor Presence & Student Engagement
Nicki McLeod Ed.D.
Created on March 28, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Modern Zen Presentation
View
Newspaper Presentation
View
Audio tutorial
View
Pechakucha Presentation
View
Desktop Workspace
View
Decades Presentation
View
Psychology Presentation
Explore all templates
Transcript
Instructor Presence & Student Engagement
Objectives
By the end of this presentation you should be able to...
Identify key elements of regular and substantive interaction (RSI) across student–teacher, student–student, and student–content engagement.
Recognize course features that support meaningful interaction and engagement.
Apply simple, time-efficient strategies to increase instructor presence and student engagement.
Explore technology tools that enhance interaction and plan for their use in courses.
Introduction
Regular & Substantive Interaction
Regular = predictable, consistent, and frequent Substantive = meaningful, academic, and moves learning forward This interaction can be...
+ INFO
01
STudent-Teacher Interaction
What Presence Looks Like to Students
• “My instructor is paying attention” • “My work matters” • “Someone will respond if I need help”
Content Expertise
Instructor Presence
+ INFO
+ INFO
Active Facilitation
Feed Forward
+ INFO
+ INFO
VS
Non-Substantive
Substantive
“This week, we're applying X theory to real-world scenarios. Many of you struggled with Y last week—watch for that as you complete the case study.”
“Week 3 is open. Complete your assignments."
VS
Non-Substantive
Substantive
"Your argument is clear, but your evidence is mostly descriptive. Try integrating at least one scholarly source to strengthen your claim.”
“Good job."
02
STudent-Student Interaction
Discussions
Designed, Not Just Assigned Discussions
Structured Interaction • Clear expectations for replies: o Build on ideas o Ask questions o Offer alternative viewpoints • Assign roles when helpful: o Devil's advocate o Synthesizer o Connector to readingsTip: Use a rubric to provide expectations and make grading fast and easy.
Prompt Creation Require:o Application, not recall o Multiple perspectives o Personal or professional connection Tip: Use AI to construct prompts requiring higher-order thinking, reflection, or application.
+ INFO
Student Interaction
Structured Peer Exchange
Social Learning
Quick Ideas
Student–student interaction plays a critical role in college learning by helping students actively process ideas, test their understanding, and learn from diverse perspectives. When students engage with one another through discussion, collaboration, or peer feedback, they deepen their comprehension and build essential communication and teamwork skills.
Community Building
Classroom Polls
03
Student-Content Interaction
Content Interactions
Improve content interaction with:
03
02
01
Guided Engagement
Active Learning
Student Choice
Formative Assessment
+ INFO
"Instructor presence is not about being everywhere—it’s about being strategically visible."
Questions?
02
A helpful test:
Does this interaction guide, challenge, or deepen student learning?”
Instructor-Supported Dialogue
Instructor highlights strong contributions or give cccasional nudges...o “No one has challenged this assumption yet—any thoughts?”
01
Moving learning forward by:
Providing specific, actionable comments on assignments. o Identify strengths o Point out gaps o Suggest next steps
Provide expertise by using:
Consider..
Low-stakes practice with immediate feedback, check-ins such as polls or muddiest poings, and model assignments.
Show your presence by:
Creating weekly announcements that: o Preview upcoming content o Connect topics to real-world application o Address common misconceptions from last week Short video or audio overview (2–5 minutes)
Actively facilitate by:
03