This is going to be fun!  

I had just created a fun avatar for our Welcome discussion this week. 

Can't wait to try this out! But, will need a little time to think about all the criteria. So Fun!

Thanks so much, -Dr. Sky 

Kathryn Tomlinson This is great, Kathryn. I believe your students will get a kick out of it. I look forward to seeing what your Social Presence Superhero looks like! 😊

Jacob 

Interesting Exercise.

The following was the prompt I entered, however I receive a photo that that contained bias and assumed I was a male. I clarified my gender and got the one I could use.

 I have offered this activity to my learners as a prompt after the recent announcement about current AI policy and use that we faculty were asked to pass along to our students. What an engaging and thought-provoking learning experience!

Thanks So Much, -Sky

Create a comic-book cover of me as a Superhero of Social Presence. I wear [sky blue and lavender or light purple], with an emblem that symbolizes social presence: [a butterfly]. Place me in [the Ozark mountains]at [the dawn of a new day], with a [look of contentedness and bliss]. Surround me with illustrated elements that reflect my passions and how I show up for others: [ as butterflies, social media platform logos-Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X]. The cover title should feature my superhero name: [Dr. Sky], and the tagline should read: [Anything Is Possible].

Wow, Sky, your comic cover practically flutters off the page! 🦋 I love how the butterfly emblem mirrors transformation and connection. Thanks for sharing how you turned an AI hiccup into a teachable moment for your students, that’s a real superhero move. ✨

This is great, Dr. Sky! While this was fun, it does highlight the bias that exists in generative AI that we must be aware of. Regarding your picture, I liked the tag line. I see social presence, its understanding and practice, makes anything possible, even if we are in an online setting and don't get the opportunity to interact with our students face to face. 

Jacob 

Jacob Aroz Thank you for your feedback and for creating this fun and interactive exercise. 

Yes, I guess Social Presence is my thing. I've been a proponent of proper use and how people learn to use innovations like social media platforms in creative and productive ways. All of my instructional design learners are urged to consider professional networking to advance their careers, especially in the Capstone course when they create a website portfolio to promote their competencies and show their work. 

My announcement is posted for tomorrow. I asked them to share their output. Can't wait to see the outcomes in our Discussion Forum for Introductions! 

Jacob, what do you think about offering this lesson prototype for a competition that is coming up? I've been brainstorming ideas for a submission, and this experience has me thinking about potential ways to share with other scholar-practitioners. Would you be interested in co-authoring a submission? 

Here is the resource/opportunity: https://journals.uwyo.edu/index.php/jtilt/article/view/9561/7023

Thanks Again for a fun and motivating way to begin our Fall Semester!

All the Best, -Sky  

Very interesting, Dr. Sky! It will be interesting to see what comes back. Why don't we connect via email ([email protected]). Have a great weekend! 😊

Jacob

Sure. Thanks for the quick reply, Jacob! 

I wear soft lavender and sage green, with an emblem that symbolizes social presence: a single, intertwined knot. Place me in a coffee shop at dusk, with an open, warm smile.

Surround me with illustrated elements that reflect my passions and how I show up for others: a tapestry of threads woven together.

The cover title should feature my superhero name: Heroine of Harmony, and the tagline should read: She listens with her heart.

Lisa Konow this is great, thank you for sharing! Being present begins with just that, being present and listening to the whole person. I know that I can get frustrated at times when I open up a communication from a student and I've been sent what feels like a small article. I find that often, I must be intentional in reading and "listening" to all of the details of the message as it will help me show up more effectively for my student (and make their's and my experience more enriching). When we acknowledge a challenge a student is having, it is good to acknowledge the "whole" problem, which is often more than simply the task at hand. 

Jacob 

Lisa, Heroine of Harmony, what a perfect name for you! I can almost smell the coffee and hear the quiet buzz of conversations you’re weaving together. ☕🪢 Your “listens with her heart” tagline is exactly the kind of presence every classroom needs.

Lisa Konow Beautifully Done, Lisa!

I can feel the peace and protection coming from your tapestry. And, listening from the heart is connection. 

Name: Seemeseeu

Powers: Seemeseeu can tell what you are feeling just by noticing your non-verbal behaviors.

Signature Look: A cape that acts as a mood ring, reflecting folks’ moods. A listening ear emblem shows on the outfit.

The Spotlight Shield:
Whenever someone starts to feel invisible or left out, Seemeseeu swirls her mood cape to cast a warm, glowing spotlight around them. This “Spotlight Shield” makes everyone notice and include the person, helping them feel instantly valued and understood.

Catchphrase: “I see you, I hear you, I’m with you!”
 Short, memorable, and perfectly aligned with Seemeseeu's mission.

Origin Story: As a child, Seemeseeu was often quiet and felt overlooked in groups. But she had a gift—she could always sense when others were feeling the same way. One day, after helping a classmate who was sitting alone, she realized her empathy and attention made a real difference. Later, her magical mood cape appeared, responding to her caring heart. From that moment on, Seemeseeu dedicated herself to fighting the villain of invisibility, making sure nobody ever felt unseen again.

Donna Steckal thank you for sharing this. I love this super-power and can think about the "game-changer" it would be in an online classroom.  👏  👏  👏

 It would really help us to ensure tha tour students feel 'seen' which I'm sure can struggle with at times during their online experience. 

May I ask, how do you practice this in your online classroom? What steps do you take to try to understand, or identify "non-verbal" behaviors in your online classroom? 

It looks like your super hero image did not quite come through, if you are able, would you share that with us again? 😊

Jacob

Donna, Seemeseeu is a total legend. That mood-ring cape and the Spotlight Shield? Your origin story is inspiring and beautifully captures how empathy turns into action. 

Thomas Dyer Thanks!

I must confess; I am taking a training as we speak through AARP to tutor 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders in reading, online, and will have video access 1:1, and I began the AI superhero quest thinking about them! But I changed the audience to college students!

Donna Steckal How wonderful...it looks like your kids grew up! This is a glowing example of a teacher who really cares. Your presence is definitely felt. 

Kathryn Tomlinson Yes, and as you may have also noticed, I have aged as well!

Donna Steckal Thank you for sharing (both pictures). I love the tag line that you included. Who among us doesn't want to hear "I see you", "I hear you". Simple presence! 

In the online classroom, without any visual aids, it is difficult to "see" the students.

Engaging those who seem more invisible is a way to bring them out; asking questions about their posts, for example.

I can "see" them better in the private messaging app on HALO.

Donna Steckal I agree that it is more difficult online, but as you demonstrated not impossible. It takes intention for sure! 

Donna, I like this version of SeeMeSeeU because it looks complete and real. The first one literally glows and is beautiful. However, your final outcome is a powerful representation of your well-developed concept description. The story you show and tell is so needed today for sensitive and diverse learners. What a great way to draw them out! 

Hello everyone,

I love using technology to enhance my online classroom. I use Loom and YT to guide students and provide feedback where students can see their strengths and grow from their mistakes. Armando

Armando Sotero, this is great, Aarmando. I agree that Loom and YT are ways to engage with our students that offer them a chance at connection (which can lead to belonging). What is your approach when creating videos? Do you go for polished/produced? Or are you a one-take wonder? 

Jacob

Thanks, Jacob Aroz. I live in Miami, thus the background. My Looms are feedback, so just one recording. The weekly topic videos and assignments walk-throughs are recorded in segments and edited. 

Have a great week! 

Armando

Armando Sotero Nice, I like the mix! 

Armando Sotero This is an inspiring strategy, Armando!  My background is video and your superhero really resonates with me. I really love this approach for connecting with our savvy and tech-immersed learners. I am wondering if this a time-consuming practice? Do you offer video feedback to each one of your learners? 

Kathryn Tomlinson Thank you for sharing your background info. Video is powerful. So here is my method:

• YT videos to explain each topic week, with a walk-through of each assignment with examples and/or ideas for brainstorming.
• Loom to check in once or twice during the course and get their feedback.
• Loom for assignment feedback EARLY in the course to help students who had critical errors with content, plagiarism concerns, and/or APA.
• Loom to share anything IMPORTANT that may come up.
• Coming Up: A video on how to use AI to brainstorm ideas for DQ's and assignments.

I enjoy content creation and use it for my online business daily as well. 

Do you have any best practices?

I hope this helps!

Armando

These are fantastic strategies, Armando!

Like you, I offer some walk-through videos and tutorials as needed. However, I really like your idea of early assignment feedback to help get their attention by connecting on a more personal level with a video. Yes, I have had learners comment in our discussions about how much video engagement helps them with their work (see evidence-based feedback attached). I bet you are the one professor they refer to in their post! 

In the past, I decided not to record and post as much video, because I did not want to seem like I was feeding my ego, and I really wanted the focus to be on them. I guess I need to get over that notion, because this strategy seems to be warranted and effective. Maybe a Voicethread discussion, to allow for everyone to get involved would work in some situations. I am going to have to think about future possibilities. 

Thanks Again for this discussion, and excellent ideas shared. All the Best, -Sky 

Here is mine!

I would say my students also think I am fun! I hope it shows to everyone. Having fun doesn't mean I do not take things seriously or that I am only having fun, but it does add a dose of levity to class, where sometimes students need it. It can be the difference between a student deciding to quit or to keep on going, as being fun is also encouraging and motivating! 

-Kimber Underdown :)

Kimber Underdown I love this, Kimber. Social presence is being one's "real self" in the classroom, and being fun and bringing levity to the environment is something that I would say is authentically you! It has been my experience, and it sounds like yours as well, that students really want to know who we are when working with us. 

Jacob

My Super Powers Name:

Harmony

Harmonizing Guardian-my super (mystical) powers is exceptional time management-communicating and connecting with learners and all in my presence, encouraging spiritual and academic growth. 

Powers

When learners feel frustrated and alone when they are trying to do the coursework while managing their personal family and spiritual lives gets overwhelming, I try to emulate a listening ear, kind heart, and compassionate voice to assist them. This is done by providing a pathway to several options for a successful education experience. 

My Story

Being an educator for over thirty years, I never had an effective mentor, so I know what it is like to feel alone in the classroom, not knowing what to do, what types of resources to use, etc. I imagine it is worse online in asynchronous forums. I prayed a lot and relied on God’s grace and mercy and the “soul” of my heart to guide me. 

Hi Marsha,

We are so excited that you’ve chosen to join our space in the Social Presence Literacy Lab! Your “Harmony” superpower beautifully captures the heart of what this community is all about—cultivating compassion, connection, and purpose in the world of online teaching and learning.

We hope you find both meaningful connection and practical tools here to support your work and presence with learners. You might also enjoy connecting with Elizabeth Larson ([email protected]), who brings great insight and experience in online teaching and learning—she could be a wonderful colleague to exchange ideas with.

Thank you for sharing your story and for bringing your light to the lab. We’re grateful you’re here, and we can’t wait to see how your gifts continue to encourage and inspire others.

I appreciate you sharing this Marsha. It can feel so lonely to be working in a field and not have someone that you can look up to, bounce ideas off of, and seek input from. Presence is something that reaches beyond the classroom, and when we have the opportunity to show up for others, even colleagues, we are impacting students. 

As I transition to teaching online, after beginning my career at GCU in the ground classroom back in 2004, I’m looking for ways to build a stronger connection with my students. This idea inspired me to create a superhero image for each of my teaching contexts: my Anatomy and Physiology course; my Pathophysiology course, the final prerequisite for students seeking admission to the nursing program; and my physiology courses in the M.S. in Biology for educators, whose students are often middle or high school teachers preparing to teach physiology at the postsecondary level.

Thank you for sharing this idea. I’m excited to see how my students respond!

Mark Wooden

Mark Wooden 

Mark, this is so great to see! I love that as you transition back into the classroom in a new modality, you’re being so intentional about finding ways to connect with your students. And the superheroes are fantastic! What a fun way to bring some of yourself into each of those different teaching contexts, right!

Thanks for engaging with the work we’re sharing through the Lab and, even better, putting it into practice. I’m excited to hear how your students respond! Tom

• What’s your superhero’s name? 🦸‍♂ Lolly - Superhero of Social Presence
• What’s their signature power (or presence superpower)? 💡Present with Purpose, Growing iwth Graitude
• How does this connect to the way you teach or support learning? 📚I feel like it shows i care about the things I do and I am present when I am teaching and grateful to be doing so!