Who have you not connected with recently? Who needs a check-in? Who needs an update? Who needs to hear that they haven’t fallen off your radar? Body language makes up a huge amount of our unnoticed communication, but it doesn’t exist online. As a result, when you’re teaching in an online space, the unstated is truly the unstated. The wave hello from across the playground, the smile while you pass in the hallway, the concerned glance across the table, doesn’t exist. You have to go the extra mile.

How you bridge the divide is up to you. I’ve written on here before about the importance of regular communication with learners and their stakeholders, and your learners should of course be receiving regular feedback through your assessment activities. However, a quick email to say hello, can go a long way. This doesn’t have to be complex. Ask these three questions.

How are things going overall?

Is there anything specific that is concerning you?

Is there anything of which I should be made aware?