Hello FABulous faculty! Have a cup of charisma with me! Let's chat!

How do you believe you are doing in the classroom? Are you satisfied in how you engage and deliver information to your students? What about for you all that are in the online environment? There is a distinct difference in how you can teach in the traditional classroom setting versus the online environment. Due to the lack of face-to-face interaction, online faculty have to establish that 'creative charismatic connection'. It is important to connect, to be open, and to deliver both content and instructions in a detailed and specific manner. We also have to be interesting so that our students are interested in being involved in the classroom. We have to establish trust...online.

In this forum, we will be discussing the impact of charisma in our online classrooms. As we know, teacher presence is so important. Most of us strive to connect with our students as we attempt to breakthrough the cyber walls of confinement. We think of ways to be creative, how to say something without coming off offensive, and to be as specific and detailed as possible to avoid repetition in our typing. We're about saving time and making the most out of what we do and what we have, right? Charisma is something that we either exude or we don't. So what is charisma? There are many different ways to define it and we will continue to dissect this concept throughout our forum. In the simplest terms, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, charisma is a special charm or appeal that causes people to feel excited by someone. In other words, charisma is a personality trait that strengthens your relationship to others. In order to really assess your level of charisma, you have to understand the attributes you currently have that contribute to your ability to connect and establish student engagement. Think about courses where you felt like they went really well. You felt like your students were involved, they were engaged, and you were in your 'zone'.

When you think of charisma...what comes to mind? How do you display charisma in your classroom?

I'm excited to hear your thoughts! Share with us!

Dr. K

Hi Dr. K,

In my experience, charisma can be displayed in an online classroom in several ways. I think I find students are more engaged when you take the time to communicate with them and they feel like you care.  Charisma can be displayed by sharing experiences to make students feel like you are part of the class rather than just hovering over it waiting to grade them.  I think a connection with students is established by being responsive and human.  What are your thoughts on the use of humor in the online environment?  I like humor and feel it is a great way to connect with students but in an online classroom, humor can easily be misconstrued.

Thanks for this discussion!  What a great topic!

Dr. Lucas

If you don't have a welcome video of yourself, online instructors might at least want to consider uploading a profile picture.    

Hi Dr. Lucas,

Thank you for your participation, that is a great question! Even that statement right there is showing charisma. The exclamation mark is always a cyber smile, unless you are angry. I am thanking you for your participation which acknowledges the reality that you didn't even have to respond, yet you took time out of your day to do just that. Charisma can be displayed in so many different ways. Personal experiences lets the students know that aside from professional roles and titles, we are just like them, and we were once students, and some of us still are. Being responsive with a sense of humor can make a difference. We have to be careful with humor because unlike face to face, we can use our nonverbal behavior to support it. We want to stay positive and professional. Sarcasm can also be questioned and we definitely want to avoid exuding that. There are so many different people and personalities in the classroom, you just never know who will 'get it' or become offensive. Unless someone else has said it before and you are able to connect their perception by something that they have access to seeing or remembering, I may do that with caution. You can always state a phrase from a TV show or a song, this just gives them something to connect your 'sense of humor' to, so they can verify the place that it is coming from. 

What are some statements you tend to use that display humor or encourage laughter in your classroom? What about cartoon scripts or popular phrases? Let me know your thoughts!

Dr. K

Hi Brenda,

Thank you for your participation! Yes, a profile pic is inviting and really puts a face to our name. Our students want to see who we are and who they are connecting with. Your profile pic should show who you are and represent a piece of you that you will share with the classroom among others. A welcome message can also feel like an open door to the course and the class expectations. Our students want to know what to expect so telling them in a visual way can bring a sense of comfort. What are some other ways online instructors can show their personality? What are some other strategies that welcome students to the course without the use of words? Think about it...

Dr. K

Hello FAB faculty!

We have had some great strategies so far, let's keep the dialogue going!

Here are some concepts to think about when exploring charisma. We know what we already do in our classrooms, but how can we enhance what we do? Where can we begin? First, you really have to know where you lie within your 'charismatic character'. Self-awareness and learning your attributes is a great place to start! Rate yourself 1-10 (1 being the worst and 10 being the best). Rate yourself as it relates to your teacher presence in the classroom. The following components have been contributed to charisma. According to Guilana & Ornstein (2013), these components will fuel your charisma. Let's take a look:

1) EMPATHY

2) SELF-CONFIDENCE

3) SPEAKING AND LISTENING SKILLS

4) EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

5) PRESENCE

6) LIKEABILITY

7) SELF-ESTEEM

8) HUMILITY

9) APPRECIATION

Others factors to consider outside of the online classroom are:

10) BODY LANGUAGE

11) EYE CONTACT

Rate yourself honestly. Think about your personal strengths and areas for improvement. How can these areas contribute to our teacher presence in the classroom?

Dr. K 

Guiliana, J. & Ornstein, H. (2013). Charisma: Your fuel for Success-Part 1. Podiatry   Management, 199-200.

Hello Dr. K,

Great topic! How we present ourselves in the online classroom is an important part in building community and collaboration between faculty and the students we teach. While not always an easy task, can present with a number of challenges for some depending on personality type. With that said, I believe it is important for faculty to be mindful in terms of how we allow our personality to shine through when teaching online courses.

The journey to pursing higher education can be enduring, and students often turn to us for guidance and support. Taking a nonjudgmental approach, allows me to become more in tune with my students and my teachings. As an instructor I try to create a safe classroom environment that encourages students to be authentic and voice their opinions in a supportive manner. I have found, by offering descriptive feedback and allowing students to share topics they are passionate about, also helpful in terms bringing my personality into the classroom.

Thanks Dr. K for exploring “Creating Charisma in the Online Classroom." It is much needed in the work we do!

Blessings,

Vallerie

Hi Vallerie,

Welcome to the forum! I appreciate your response and image pic! Online, we are able to think outside the box and explore our creativity so that we are effective in our cyber world. Yes, providing support and empathy in our classroom is important for student engagement and overall success. As a leader in our classroom, we can also be servants, displaying compassion and guidance whenever necessary. Our students will go through various challenges that may hinder their motivation and cause them to rethink being a student at that time. Our words and support can be powerful. We can also be available and be willing to work with them during their times of tribulation. Setting an assignment for submission contract, opening up the prayer forum or even putting an image such as you posted here, can make a difference. Students love to share and be reflective. Providing an opportunity to do that is a great ice-breaker and brings comfort and security to the classroom. We want to avoid personal judgments and biases so it is best that we always ask and not assume. What has been helpful for you in creating a safe environment for your students? How do you set those important boundaries so that the students understand that they are safe and what they share in the classroom is respected? Share when you can!

Dr. K 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Charismatic" redirects here. For other uses, see Charisma (disambiguation).

The term charisma (/kəˈrɪzmə/; pl. charismata, adj. charismatic) has two senses:^[1]

compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others

a divinely conferred power or talent

In discussing sense 1, scholars in sociology, political science, psychology, and management reserve the term for a type of leadership seen as extraordinary; in these fields, the term "charisma" is used to describe a particular type of leader who uses "values-based, symbolic, and emotion-laden leader signaling".

In some theological usages, the term appears as charism, with a meaning the same as sense 2. Since the 1950s, the term has become widely^[quantify] used, with varying meanings, in religion, the social sciences, the media, and throughout Western societies

This definition would suggest that the charismatic teacher would use communication which is

values laden

symbolic (since all communication is symbolic, I would take this to mean dramatistic

and interjects emotion into their teaching

The two senses of the definition might lead one to ask, how is charismatic preaching similar to charismatic teaching?

Just some thoughts   Chris

Kendra I find a little judicious use of humor at least in the announcements can be helpful in creating a positive online identity. You do have to be careful though because some students don't always understand that you are being humorous. Many evaluations mention the fact that they appreciate the humor. On the other hand one of my students just mentioned that they didn't give me the highest rating because they felt that I was a bit of a Smart Alec.

Hi to all,

Charisma comes from a power within, and can can be reflected by expressing an interest in others (Anderson and Bolt, 2013).

Responding to students by their first name, sharing a personal experience, or an inspirational quote helps to not only engage, but can boost spirits, as well.

Reference

Anderson, L.E. & Bolt, L.E. (2013). Professionalism:skills for Workplace success (3rd. ed.) Upper Saddle, NJ:Pearson.

Ray

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for having a cup of charisma with me! Yes, this concept has a lot to do with value and being value-based. Charismatic leadership is a type of leadership style that tends to inspire and motivate. There is a drawing to individuals that exhibit this extraordinary trait. There is a talent or connection that keeps you interested and wanting to remain engaged. Charismatic leaders tend to be influential because those that observe them are driven by their commitment and passion for what they believe in. Their works are defined through the core of their values which help determine their actions. Many of the characteristics listed for charisma, are also listed for servant leadership, another form of approach to leadership, which is very similar to preaching and/or being a 'spiritual servant'. You see how this all ties together? There is a common ground...and that is respect for others outside of self. As faculty, we must remind ourselves why we are here. What makes us extraordinary and how can we define that within our online environments? What makes us so unique and how can we display that? Our passion for our profession should be oozing into our classrooms. We want our students to stay engaged, to feel like a part of the group and to be comfortable. We want them to be extraordinary as well. Your statement of "interjecting emotion into our classrooms" stood out to me. Emotion is what our students need to see through their screens. What strategies do you use in your classroom that displays emotion? What do you do, as their instructor, that keeps your students wanting to stay engaged?

Share your thoughts!

Dr. K

Hi Scott,

Let's take a sip of our charisma out of an Angry Birds coffee cup! Welcome to the forum! I understand, displaying humor through words and words that we are typing can be challenging. We have the best intentions of being funny, showing some humor here and there and being a light in our classrooms. We want our students to feel safe, comfortable and excited to be there. We want to help ease their anxiety as they progress through our course. I'm sure we have all been there as students before, I know I have, especially during test time. We really have to be careful in what we say and how we say it, don't we? Even if the entire class 'gets it', there's always that one, that will not. Even as I use the single quotation mark '...these marks are also called talking or speech marks for a reason. I do that to increase my chances that you all will 'get it'. This is another strategy to use when attempting to use a statement or jargon. We may all need to take an additional literary class...but if it means we will score higher on our evals...it maybe worth it:) All in all, humor is fun, it makes light of a situation and when appropriate, can be effective. Our students appreciate our sense of humor...as long as they 'get it'. 

What other strategies have been helpful for you? Do you use the same joke over and over again or does it depend on the presenting situation? What do you think makes YOU funny, to them? Think about it...

Dr. K

Hello all.  I like this topic.  I think it is so important to connect with our students.  I do use my picture but it isn't showing up here. I'm not sure why. I will try to fix it . I have a faith forum and many students use it asking for prayer requests, sharing concerns, thought . I don't use humor a lot as I think some don't get it. I really do try to show empathy.  I have had so many sad situations with students the last few classes. One lost a baby, one was assaulted and shared about that, many divorces, a child hit by a car, death's, etc.  My online students seem to go through a lot and they are very busy working, caring for others and going to school.  I find sharing practical ideas help. One student shared her feel were killing her working 12 hour shifts. I suggested baths with Epsom salts. It sounds silly but she really felt heard. I make phone calls and leave a message reminding students of missing work. It has worked.  The work shows up. :)

Hi Kendra and fellow instructors, 

Thanks for the great topic!  

 It was good to know that nearly all of the concepts that  help us understand  charisma  are possible in online classes.  At times it's  hard to discern from the  comments some  students post --whether they are distanced or simply confused or  ignoring the instructor's effort to engage them or correct misconceptions.  

Certainly,  all of the concepts you mentioned can be helpful and  create much needed connection.  

Thanks 

M. A. Ali

Hello all. In the online environment, instructors should use technology to build relationships and trust. I personally use video for all aspects of my courses. I use Loom to create a welcome video, the weekly objectives and expectations, grade assignments and provide video feedback, and weekly webinars using Zoom to provide insight on upcoming assignments. 

THis allows the online learner to "connect" with YOU and not a computer screen. This allows your charisma, personality, caring, etc to shine and make the "human" connection so many online students yearn for.

Thank you for reading & blessings,

Armando

Hello All. I have so enjoyed reading your thoughts and suggestions. Many of my students also have experienced amazingly difficult life situations. I also have started a prayer list in announcements and all can post to it. The student's loving replies to each other seems to help them feel connected and cared about. I also will call students especially if they seem to be having a difficult time or are late with assignments. It works. We tend to, in DQ, share many stories and experiences. These tend to be appropriate for course content and there may be very young students as well as those with 20 or more years of experience. They profoundly teach each other. Occasionally someone will share a very funny story and I will respond with LOL, but add some affirmative comment in support. Out of 22/23 students have had as many as 7/8 internationals. I agree with your concerns about the use of humor/sarcasm. I try to communicate that I am interested and care about them by presence and loving feedback. The first classes in the program seem to be especially in need of developing a trusting relationship with faculty.

Just some random thoughts. God bless.

Mimi Bronner

Hi everyone!
One of the little things I do is to pay attention to those introductions on the classroom wall, especially with respect to names. If a learner signs off with a particular name, or asks to be called by their middle name instead of their first, or whatever it is, I think it is important to remember that and use that name in all my subsequent messages to that learner.

I recently saw one of my friends who is going to graduate school post on her social media about how she loved her professor even though she hadn't even gotten a grade back because the professor responded to her introduction post by addressing her by her chosen nickname of Mike rather than the name that shows on the roster of Michelle.  She said in all the years of school, it has been a struggle to get professors to call her by the name she prefers, so knowing from that very first post that the professor was paying attention to her introduction and respecting her name choice meant the world to he

Happy Wednesday FAB faculty! We have had some great shares this week! I am so excited to see all of your participation! I have been brainstorming about how I can enhance my teaching style, so thank you all for your fabulousness! I am sure that we can all use some new strategies and creative ways to help enhance what we do and how we deliver the content in our classrooms. Professional development is key. We learn from each other so this is a perfect opportunity to do just that. If you have questions or something you want to share in the forum, please do so! New ideas are welcomed.

Let's get ready and fill our cups of charisma for the day! Enjoy!

Dr. K

Hi Ray,

Welcome to the forum! I use all of those that you have listed. Great minds think alike! When we use the first name of our students, we are showing them that they are more than a student number and that we use our time individually and not on a group basis. Each of our student's are unique and they should feel valued within our classrooms. I typically integrate quotations of strength and spiritual scriptures in my Purple Group Forum, which is used for prayer and support. I create a group that is not mandatory, but optional. My students really appreciate the effort. I chime into this forum at least twice a week, either to send encouragement or just to say "Have a great day" or a simple check-in to say "Hello". Charisma derives from the inside out, not the outside in. Charisma is genuine, it is authentic. It is a reflection that our students will see when the mirror is clean. If we can show that we are interested and that we care, they will do the same. We may not always see that they care, and that is OK, as long as we do our part. Here is one of my favorite quotes:

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

~Maya Angelou

If you have any quotes you enjoy integrating into your classroom. Do share! Thank you Ray!

Dr. K

Hi Sheila,

I have the perfect cup for you! Can you see yourself sipping out of this cup with the outfit that you have on in your profile pic? If it had a hint of red somewhere, I would totally do it:) By the way, great pic and thank you for sharing! You make a great point. You stated that you don't use humor because it just doesn't work for you. Honestly, we need to do things and integrate strategies that we know will work for us because it is who we are. Being genuine and being confident in ourselves is so important. Our competence and the decisions we make derives from that. Either what we do will work, or it won't. We definitely need to choose strategies that have been proven to be effective and that feel comfortable for us. I have a prayer forum as well and even if most students do not participate, I make sure that I do. Some students feel comfortable responding and some just want to view. If we are truly being who we are, it doesn't matter who responds or views. We made a decision to put it in the universe, and that is where we leave it. Who can really say no to support or encouragement? We can never go wrong in doing that. 

Empathy is another area of importance. Charisma is all about showing empathy. I have heard so many student challenges such as family loss, divorce, sickness, mental health, domestic violence, CPS, I mean the list goes on and on. We're not here to judge or provide our personal bias. All we need to do is listen and follow-up. My frequent responses, just to name a few, are usually this, "May God comfort you during this time" "Stay encouraged" "My prayers are lifted for you and your family" "I'm sure that this is challenging for you" "I want you to do well" "Thank you for letting me know" "Hang in there". What are your go-to responses?

Our students really appreciate the phone time as well. Putting a voice to a name just works. Do you have time to contact your students or do you find yourself looking for free space that you can fill? Let us know your thoughts! 

Thank you Sheila!

Dr. K

Hi Mohamed,

Welcome! It can be difficult when we try and comprehend what our student's are saying or trying to say? Sometimes I may ask for clarification on a matter and sometimes I just request that they be specific, less is best. It can get confusing for us and if not careful, we can spend too much time trying to figure it out.

At the end of the day, asking and not assuming is best. Asking for clarification is needed. Having patience is like gold. We have many students that ask questions so taking the extra time to clarify a concern or inquiry requires that we be patient and move on to the next question as soon as we are clear. Sometimes a phone call is necessary. Whatever we have to do to avoid a student concern, the better. Going beyond our call of duty...wait...what does that mean? Our duty is our calling and sometimes that requires us to go the extra step. Maintaining our student connection is key.

Thank you for your participation Mohamed! If you think of something else, let us know!

Enjoy your day,

Dr. K

Hi Armando,

Thank you for participating! Yes, the use of technological advancement in our classrooms is being encouraged. The use of video can really help us to connect with our students, bringing the course alive. Using Zoom is a great way to show our students who we are and how they can be successful in our course. Questions can be answered, there is an opportunity for group cohesion and we become available. I hear a lot from my students that what they adore most is that we are accessible either by phone or in the forum. Our response times are quick and they feel supported.

When using video conferencing, our students can see us and feel as if they are in a traditional classroom setting. The connection can be established from the very beginning when we utilize this type of method.

What challenges, if any, have you had when using Loom? Any challenges for Zoom?

How can online faculty prepare themselves better for this change in their professional work pattern? I think due to the change, many of us will avoid diving right in. How can we become better prepared, other than to just do it? Or is that the answer?? 

Share when you can, we'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks Armando!

Dr. K

Dr. K,

Thanks for reply. The nice thing about Loom is that you can practice creating videos and using the software until you feel comfortable. Same applies with Zoom. 

Just like anything else, you must take ACTION and implement. Even if you struggle with first few videos, learn from it, tell you students this is new to you and they will understand.

Practice leads to a comfort zone.

Armando

Hi Mimi,

Thank you for stopping in for a cup! I agree, students within their first year tend to be more hesitant and unsure. I can understand why, some have not been in school for years, they need time to familiarize themselves with the system and many just have to figure out how to fit the time necessary into their busy lives. Being an adult learner can be challenging. The more support we can offer in our classrooms, the better. The prayer forum just works. It is there, our students know that it is optional, and sometimes we can all use a little support and encouragement. I use images, quotes, motivational videos, self-reflection worksheets and career tools. I tend to include it all. I think as long as we can find relevance, our students will appreciate our effort for a greater level of learning. It's about personal and professional growth so I always remember that. Our students will have many challenges and I believe the learning environment we create is precious and it is ours. Knowledge is powerful and it is life changing. Having the responsibility to teach and be a servant leader is something to be very proud and humbled by. There are so many ways to make a difference in our classrooms. Creativity is key.

From 1-10, where is your creativity level in your classrooms? What areas could you improve in? Think about.

Thank you for you participation Mimi! Stop by again if you have time!

Dr. K

Hi Genna,

Thank you for stopping by! Look at the face on this cup...so cute! I think that you hit your response right on target. I say that because I tend to struggle with that because of the detail of it all. I know that the roster is important and so is our paper trail. Some of my students want to be called names that have no reference to their original names. On my end I'm thinking..."Who are you?" and "I need to make sure that you are the student who is supposed to be in my class." Maybe this is just my struggle and it really shouldn't be a big deal, but for some reason, the detail of it all gets me every time. William...OK Billy...Katheryn...OK Kat...but John, the name Roy just does not work. It's about setting clear limitations in the classroom. Addressing our students by name will always be respectful and each time we respond to each of them, we should address them by name every single time. I believe in doing this, we establish a relationship and connection, and we also keep our paper trail and student dialogue solid. There can be no uncertainty about who we meant to address, when we address them by name every time, especially if a student concern arises. Good point!

What other helpful tips do you have? You can stop by again, we'll be here! Thank you Genna! 

Enjoy your day,

Dr. K

Hi Armando,

Welcome back! Yes, just like anything else, we must jump nose first and just do it. Change is always uncomfortable at first, but the more you do it, the better you become. Both Loom and Zoom are great ways to sprinkle something different in our classrooms. Our students will appreciate it, and so will we. Yes...just do it!

This is a new year! We should all decide to do at least one new thing in our classrooms. I would love to hear what you plan to do. How can you redesign your teaching style? What can you add in your classrooms that better defines your personality?

This is definitely something we all can do. Here's to integrating something new for the new year. 

Have a great day Armando!

Dr. K

Hi Dr. K!

This is my FAVORITE TOPIC EVER! I am so glad you are facilitating this conversation. I think showing who we really are in the classroom does not have to be tough... we just have to be creative, like you mentioned! :) I find it all comes down to managing our time and setting aside the few minutes to do something that shows our personalities. While I have not used Zoom, I have used Loom and think it is so cool! It is a great way to make a quick welcome video, an announcement to a tough week, or just an explanation to a DQ! There really is something to be said for putting a face-name-voice together!

You mentioned ranking ourselves in terms of creativity.... this is tough for me! I think of myself as a pretty creative person, but I have some room to grow in the classroom! This conversation has totally inspired me! :)

Thank you!

Alli

Hi Alli,

Welcome! Thank you so much, it's great to see you here! Let's sip!

Yes, showing who we are is so important. If we are doing something that is truly not of us, it will be uncomfortable. Learning new things is quite different, we have a purpose in doing that. Loom is a great way to spice up our classrooms. There are many ways we can be creative when using this tool. We can miss that genuine connection sometimes, so being face to face and engaged visually can make a difference. 

Creativity derives from being inspired. It sounds like you're on your way. Find your hidden path, explore where your imagination lies. Think about what would inspire you in the classroom...what would you have liked to see if you were an online student?

There are many ways to be creative in the classroom. There is individuality in this because creativity is personal, it is how we view our world. It is a great way to find yourself and your own connection within the classroom setting. I believe as faculty, we need to feel a sense of connection as well. We all have room to grow and always will. Personal growth is a continuum. Let's think about this. How can we exude innovation and progression within our courses? How can we show our personality on a greater scale within our classroom?

I'll be thinking about my own personal growth as well. Let me know what you find. Thank you for stopping in! I'm excited to hear your thoughts!

Have a great weekend,

Dr. K

Hi Dr. K and colleagues,

I appreciate your definition of charisma and different ways to 'connect the dots' with students that are often lost online. I aim to respond to different students with different tone, depending on what they present. If the student is an adult learner, and more serious, I aim to be 'direct' and give a solid response based in research and experience. If the student responds with more casual, looser language, I feel at more liberty to respond with humor. Some people are really good at the use of humor, online, although I fear of being misconstrued for sarcasm and use it sparingly. Quoting lines from movies is a good suggestion for a shared experience and less likely to be offensive.

I'm not certain if this is related to charisma, but one more item to add to your list might be 'careful use of language'. I always tell students that one advantage to online learning is honing their writing skills. If we lead in this endeavor by ensuring our posts are worthwhile, easy to follow and make a solid point, students will raise their understanding of content and grammar, as well as improve their vocabulary.  

Hi Marcie,

Thank you for stopping by the forum! I appreciate your participation. Let's chat!

You make a great point, flexibility is essential. It is important that we consider individual differences even in our online classrooms. As faculty, the personalities of our students are also evident so it is good to understand how to respond to the differences we perceive at that time. As we discussed before, humor may not be for everyone. Self-awareness and being aware of our surroundings is still important even in the online environment. Yes, quotations from movies can help humor take appropriate space in our classroom. 

Being an online instructor requires that we use our language through words. We establish our dialogue through the words that we use. It is important that we remain specific, detailed and clear. Our grammatical errors should be minimal. Sometimes asking our students if what we said is clear or makes sense to them can help to clarify whether or not further clarification is needed. As leaders of our classrooms, we determine the paths of our students. The more we provide for them, the more content they have available to learn.

In what other ways are you charismatic in the classroom? What tools or techniques have been effective? Let us know your thoughts. Stop back in when you can!

Dr. K

Dr. K,

Love the coffee cups - a very nice touch! 

I'm with those of you that feel that incorporating videos into your courses boosts the charisma levels.  I include a video walkthrough in each week's announcements where I give an overview of what to expect in the week ahead.  This also gives me an opportunity to let my personality and some humor shine through.  I'd like to dig a bit further into this topic for anyone who is willing to share.  How do you take your videos from "meh" to charismatic, must-see material?

Thanks to anyone who is willing to share!

Vince

Hi Vince,

I really enjoy the theme I have going here, thank you so much. Welcome to the forum! Let's take a sip!

Charisma is a great way to connect with our students. Finding what works for us is key. I think we can all agree that the use of video can put a unique spin on our teacher presence and overall delivery. When we use video, we can definitely show our personality. If charisma is absent from our personality, then being charismatic will not show. When introducing the course and discussing student expectations, there should be some excitement there. A smile and a strong tone can be an asset. We must be articulate, detailed and discuss relevant points that will help to get them started and ease the anxiety. This isn't the time to overwhelm them, but we do want them to be prepared. What about the use of props or pop-ups? I think the use of video should depend on the personality of the individual. It should appear natural, genuine and authentic. It should be engaging and direct with some excitement. We should be motivating. In our videos, it is all about our teacher presence. We define that within ourselves. We are the 'producers' of our presence.

How would you define your teacher presence? How can you appear more interesting? Should you change your tone of voice or smile more? Should you integrate more of your personality to bring some excitement into your announcements? Or do you need something other than you, such as a prop or some type of animation?

Is the use of animation or a prop class appropriate? We are talking about charisma here so the creativity is endless. Think about it. How can we all be more charismatic in our announcements? Great question. 

If anyone has any suggestions, stop in and let's chat! 

Let's think about this Vince and reconnect. Thank you for stopping in!

Dr. K

Hello FAB faculty!

I really need a cup of sunshine today! This is perfect!

We had great conversation full of interesting point of views last week! Let's chat!

So we discussed the impact of technological advancement such as Loom to help make that face to face student connection. Welcome announcements and being detailed were also hot topics. Having a sense of humor is OK, and there are ways to make sure that our students will 'get it'. The use of quotations, images or visual scripts are always helpful. Creativity can be limitless so making sure that we are tapping into that side of our personality is key.

Charisma has a lot to do with our personality. When we are confident in who we are, our personality will shine right through. Being who we are, and being authentic, requires that we fear no judgment or criticism. We have to nose dive into our passion and do what we believe in. When we have passion about who we are, there is no need for an explanation. Charisma is all about confidence. We can have confidence in our classroom. We can make sure that our personality 'pops' throughout the course. No fear in thinking outside of the box...just do it!

Is there something that you would like to do in your classroom but are unsure if it will work? Inquire here! We are all in this together and I think for 2018, it is all about shining right through.

In what areas of your teaching style do you want to shine in? What is in need of improvement? We all have something. I need to be more visual in my classrooms, what do you need to do? Think about it. Let us know your thoughts!

Dr. K 

Hi Kendra,

Can you elaborate on how you set up your Purple Group forum? That sounds like a great idea I'd love to emulate! I already have a "Connections to Faith" forum where we discuss the week's content in terms of it's connection to faith and I see some great responses there that humanize the online environment. However, I like the idea of having a forum to send quick "How's the week going for you personally?" messages.

Hi Whitney!

Thank you for stopping in! It's late...but I'm up. When you read this, you'll be up. Happy Wednesday. Well...Let's sip!

As online faculty, we have the beauty of working any time of the day or night. I am so thankful for that. That can be so convenient for us especially when we have children, other projects going on, or just the moments in life that may need their time outside of our own. The nights can be so peaceful. We know that the early bird gets the worm...but the late birds can get the worm too! Just like our students, sometimes we need some extra time and when we do, we must find it. Self-care is essential. We understand that because we too can face challenges. Giving our students that same understanding and level of support can really make a difference. 

The Purple Group Forum continues to be a hit in the classroom. Even though many students may not respond regularly, I know that they appreciate the space. I create a group by going to the Connect tab in our classrooms, drop down to the roster, look to your right to Manage Groups and then place all students in the purple group. I begin the thread by sending them a welcome message which I provided below:

Welcome to the Purple Group Forum!

Students,

I have created a group strictly for support. We all go through trials and tribulations and sometimes, having someone there just to listen, provide support, or say a prayer, can make all the difference in the world.

I encourage each and everyone of you to utilize this forum as needed. If you want to chime in each week, please do so. This forum is being led for all of us. Remember this is a place for student support so make sure to set limitations on what you choose to disclose. This forum is not for counseling purposes, only as a place we can use for support in our learning environment.

I will place scriptures, resources, or just thoughts here. This is optional so you are not obligated to participate. This is not a requirement and participation points are not granted for use.

Remember, we all go through difficult times. It is important that we stay encouraged...and keep our eye on the prize:)

Stay moving and keep soaring!

End of Welcome Message

Throughout the course, I place scriptures, images, quotations, holiday acknowledgements, poetry, psychoeducational tools on the impact of prayer, meditation, maintaining health, etc. Anything that I feel can meet my students on a biopsychosocial level, I use it. Students will place prayers for their loss or challenges and then other students may chime in. The Purple Group forum is a great way for the students to feel connected and supported. I enjoy creating this group because I am able to be creative and integrate spirituality as well. This is so motivating and moving for me. If you want to know more about how I integrate this, let me know, I'm happy to share. 

Your Connections to Faith is a nice option as well. This keeps the integration of faith and content present in the classroom throughout. Integrating faith has proven over and over again to be important to our students. Aside from our policy, our students really see the integration of faith as a value that stands out from other universities. The foundation of spirituality within their learning environments is comforting. Making sure that we maximize that opportunity is key. Good discussion! Do you use any tools such as images or quotations in your classroom? What tools have been most beneficial for you and your students?

Let me know your thoughts!

Dr. K

Dr. Kendra,

What a fantastic topic to discuss! I love the idea of a purple group forum - I cannot wait to use this myself!

I agree with what others have said about videos. I have been using FlipGrid and Loom in my classes - and I really do think this allows my students to pick up on both verbal and non verbal cues. 

I also LOVED what you wrote about using our language through words. Often I feel online instructors shy away from using smiley faces, capital letters or exclamation points because it can be percieved as unprofessional. In contrast, I have found this a great way to try to convey my personality and friendly tone in the online classroom. 

Thoughts?

Andrea

Hello fellow Lopes!

After reading the theme of this forum discussion, I want to share with you all my free app called Class Updates.  I encourage you to use Class Updates app with your students, and share Class Updates app with your colleagues at our University.  If you want to improve student engagement and communication, Class Updates is the digital tool for you to do so. 

Class Updates is a FREE teacher to student mobile communication app for convenient, real-time communication to any mobile device. Our app also has other helpful integrated features, like a Calendar to schedule important due dates or reminders. Faculty can also create a group or groups and allow students, faculty or both to join the group (just like a class) and be able to communicate with the entire group in real-time. Group Leaders can be assigned who also have the ability to send updates as well.  

Class Updates improves the overall learning environment, helps everyone save time and be more efficient, and can be used in addition with your campus LMS (it's not either or, nor a substitute). Class Updates is designed for high school, college and university teachers, and is FERPA compliant. 

I am a college and university Professor myself, and Class Updates was very helpful to me in communicating with my students during Hurricane Irma and it's aftermath until our classes resumed.  

Check out Class Updates Vimeo video, YAHOO! FINANCE press release and recent press release about our impact at the HBCU Tech Summit at the links below. 

Any questions or feedback is welcomed and appreciated.  

classupdatesapp.com  

Vimeo video: https://vimeo.com/195138892  

YAHOO! FINANCE press release: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/south-florida-teachers-students-praise-144500849.html 

HBCU Technology Summit press release:  http://world.edu/morehouse-hbcu-tech-summit-inspires-presidents-students-hbcu-community-large/

Hi Andrea,

Thank you for chiming in! Welcome to the forum...let's take a sip!

The Purple Group forum has been amazing in my classrooms. Again, even if the students don't reply or respond frequently, I know that they really appreciate it. I see the comments in our evaluations about how this forum made them feel appreciated and supported. I enjoy doing it and you can create it and make it your own. It can reflect not only your personality, but also your heart and compassion for others. Sometimes I make this my space for my own spiritual and psychological growth. The options in what you can do are endless. Have fun with it and make it your own!

I agree with you, there are many ways to use our narrative. I tend to use exclamation marks quite frequently to show my excitement (as you can see). Many of us use smiley faces, etc. as long as there is a balance and you stay on the professional path, I think it's relevant to setting the tone of the environment. It's really all about balance while maintaining a healthy and appropriate student connection.

Give us details on using FlipGrid! What do you like most about it? What was most challenging for you? What was your first step? Suggestions??

We would love to know! Charisma can exude in so many different ways. Highlighting our personality and what we represent in the classroom is key.

Chime back in when you can Andrea! Happy Thursday!

Dr. K 

Hi Temante,

Welcome! You shared a great resource with us...I'm looking forward to more info...let's sip!

Ok...so you were discusssing...Class Updates. Is this something like Remind, or no??

Anything to make our life simpler and more effective...I am there all the way. For me, time is my everything, so when I choose to implement anything other than what my pattern permits, I am cautious. Truthfully, that is where I want to improve, which also means, that I will have to adjust something, somewhere.

My motto..."Work smarter, not harder". Do you really save time using this? If you could describe using this tool in one word, as it relates to your work ethic and strategy...what would it be??

Thank you for the share and the visit! If anyone has any questions about using this, please ask, this is the time to do so. Let us know your thoughts Temante!

Dr. K

Hello FAB Faculty! 

Is everyone weekend ready?? Let's reflect on how this week has been. Have you thought about what changes or revisions you plan to make? What ideas are you brainstorming about?

We have had some great suggestions this week, review when you can. I am looking forward to learning new strategies and seeing how they work and manifest in my classrooms. Learning is a continuum and we strive towards it everyday. We are so blessed to be in an environment in which we learn and connect with so many others. I admire the fact that we can learn from one another and look at ourselves and identify areas in which we can become better. We can always become better. We can always do better. Balance is key.

Our discussions have been substance filled so far. I appreciate your feedback and participation in this forum. Let's reflect on the concept a bit, and reset. Let's focus on YOU.  

****CHARISMA****

What is your magnetic charm? What is the strength of your character? What is the force of your personality? Think about it...

When you get time, stop back in for a cup...it's on the house:)

Dr. K

To address your later questions first, you save time using Class Updates for sure since you are using push notification technology to communicate in real-time to mobile devices.  Real-time communication has so many benefits.  We are also in a want it now society, so folks want it “now” and this includes important information.
If I could describe using this tool in one word when it relates to work ethic and strategy, it would be “Communication”

Class Updates is like Remind, yes, but unlike Remind, Class Updates is a mobile first company and our app is designed for college and university educators, unlike Remind which is used more in the K-8/K-12 education space.  My co-founders and I saw a void that needed to be filled in higher education when It comes to convenient student communication and engagement.  We noticed that college and university professors are all over the place, literally.  Some professors are still using email as their primary means of communication, others are using the LMS, yet others are using apps like GroupMe or WhatsApp or Remind.  So here is where Class Updates comes in!  Class Updates is designed for the 21^st century mobile learner and educator so we have been referred to as a more “robust” “better” version of Remind.  Unlike Remind, Class Updates DOES NOT require exchange of cell phone numbers for communication and keep an annoying ongoing chat on your cell phone text messages (something I strongly dislike).  We all know that students and professors alike sometimes have privacy concerns/issues about cell phone numbers and texting.  Class Updates solves this problem as well as many others. 

The set up for Class Updates is very intuitive and easy and Class Updates app is very easy to use.  We pride ourselves on Class Updates being very user friendly; no training is required to use Class Updates.  Again, NO CELL PHONE NUMBERS need be exchanged.  After Class Updates is downloaded, the Professor sets up their classes by putting in the course details (name, meeting times, days, room number, building number, note: not all may be applicable which is fine), and students can instantly subscribe to the course.  At this point, the Professor can communicate with the subscribed students in real-time via push notification technology to any mobile device (tablet, smart watch, smart phone).  Since we are just completing Beta, we are excited to share our app and have fellow educators like you help develop and contribute best practices when it comes to using Class Updates application.  There are some ancillary features that I know you will love that all go to not only working smarter, not harder for the professor but also improve the overall learning environment for everyone!

Any questions, comments or feedback are welcomed and appreciated!

Hi Temante,

Thank you for your clear explanation! It sounds easy enough. There are a lot of benefits to using this app. I can see why it has been effective so far.

Communication is key. Communication is at the core of charisma, that is how we connect and engage with our students. When the communication is relevant, clear and straight to the point...everyone is happy. I think the issue of privacy and ease in use are vital to this advancement in the online arena. Sounds easy enough!

Thank you for the clarification! If anyone has any questions about this...let us know!

Temante, thank you for the amazing share! If you have any other tips...sharing is caring:)

Dr. K

Hello Dr. K,

I like Dr. K!  I think I may go by Dr. T!  Yes, ease of use, yet convenient and helpful is the name of the game.  I consistently get positive feedback from students about how easy Class Updates is to use and they explain that's why they like the app.  We as professors want a tool that students will want to use and enjoy using as another form of engagement.  As you said, communication is key!  Especially in higher education!  I couldn't agree more with your statement, "When the communication is relevant, clear and straight to the point...everyone is happy."  Privacy, compliance and security are of the utmost importance to Class Updates and all three are vital to the advancement of this technology in the online, blended or traditional arena.  Please check out the app so you can see for yourself how easy it is to use and be the judge, and provide me with some feedback!  I am glad to share with you this awesome free digital tool and happy to entertain any questions!  You are welcome Dr. K for the share Dr. K!  My pleasure!  I will share some other tips with you guys for sure in this forum.  Look for them soon!

Dr. T

classupdatesapp.com

Hi Dr. T,

I guess you have officially changed your name, because, well, I'm calling you that now. Welcome back! Yes, convenience and time-management are key. As faculty, we have a lot of tasks to do in a timely manner so maximizing our time is important. Engagement is such a core need in the online environment. This is our way to connect with others. As we connect, we attempt to encourage, inspire our students to do better while remaining available. Supporting each of them individually is an important part of our professional role. 

I think your app will meet the need of the student, especially now when technology is the answer to everything. Thank you for providing information to us! Since you have this amazing app and it appears that you have thought clearly about what works and what is necessary for our students to advance in the classrooms, what other ways can we exude charisma in our environment? Does having charisma really boil down to having the ability to connect? What are your thoughts?

Dr. K

Happy Saturday my fellow FAB faculty!

Here is just something to think about while you enjoy your weekend! Take a look!

Dr. K

Hello Dr. K,

Happy Saturday!  Well, Dr. T it is then!  I am glad to hear you think Class Updates app meets the need of the student.  Fortunately, Class Updates also meets the need of the professor as well by being a convenient tool for time-management (saving time) and student engagement, especially in an online environment.  Connecting with others and staying connected is very important.  Also, being available to students which goes to engagement as well.  It is my pleasure to share my app with my GCU family!  I hope all of our Professors, Faculty and Administrators at Grand Canyon University will be open to try Class Updates and that Grand Canyon plays an important role in using Class Updates app as an early adopter.  To that point, please request for Class Updates to be added to the list of Technology Tools displayed in the Pedagogy First Section of our CIRT website. 

I believe we can exude charisma through effective student engagement.  Not to be redundant, but this goes back to good communication.  So yes, having charisma definitely really boils down to having the ability to connect (and communicate).  With ancillary features like a Class Calendar to be able to calendar important reminders or due dates for the class, the learning environment is improved for everyone.  What are your thoughts?  Also, will you try out Class Updates and encourage others to as well and give me some feedback?  I would be greatly valued and appreciated from my fellow GCU family. :)

Hi Dr. T,

Yes, communication and connection are key. Both are so important in our classrooms. Class Updates is definitely an asset. I will explore this and see what happens! As faculty, taking risks in how we deliver our content is so important. We can even be creative in how we do that. Knowing our limits in our creativity and just taking the risks to do it, will get it done.

I will inform faculty about this app as well. The more support we can access, the more effective we become. If anything else has been successful in your classrooms, let us know. Thank you for the information!

Dr. K

Happy Sunday everyone!

I thought that this statement was fitting...especially since it is Sunday. Usually Sundays are so peaceful. Some of us attend church services, some are spending time with friends and family, others are doing leisure activities, running errands or just taking a nap. Sundays can be soulful, a time for us to reconnect with "I".

Charisma works from the inside out. You can't lease it, or buy it. It comes from within. Charisma is genuine, authentic. It is an area that thrives through the connection with people. Charisma can be activated, it can be created from something that already exists. Each of us can determine how we choose to use our charisma both inside and outside of our classrooms.

For our final week of this discussion forum, we will focus on self and how we can deliver charisma in our online classrooms. We will explore the concept of charisma along with its biblical ties. We will also review what we have already discussed and where we can all go from here. We still have some time left to enjoy our cup. I look forward to our discussions this week!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Dr. K 

Thank you Dr. K for exploring Class Updates application!  I think you will find it to be a very helpful, convenient and easy tool to use.  Excellent point you make about not being afraid to take risks in how we deliver content and knowing our abilities and limitations when it comes to creativity in doing so.  Although an argument can be made that there is no limit to creativity.  I really appreciate you sharing Class Updates with our faculty colleagues.  The more support we can access the more effective we can become indeed!  As far as what has been successful for me in the classroom, I have some tips about using Class Updates to share.  I will share them with you in my next post :)    

You're welcome Dr. T! It is important for us to support and encourage one another to raise the bar. We have a great opportunity in which we can create our own space and enjoy doing it. This year I am dedicated to implementing something new in my classrooms. I am looking forward to enhancing how I engage in the classroom. There are no limits to creativity. We can make it fun, ideal and of interest. There is so much we can do in making this happen. Any other shares that you have would be great! Thank you so much for your support in this forum!

Dr. K 

Hello all!

This is our last week with one another so I wanted to reflect on what we have covered so far. This has been so much fun! If you have any last minute thoughts or shares, chime into the forum! Let's sip!

As you can see, charisma is an interesting concept that contains so many different elements. It derives from the soul of the individual. It is a behavior, it is a perspective. There is a 'WE' type of mentality involved. The collaborative relationship between faculty and student is a unique one. As our students begin our courses, we understand that they are there for a brief moment, to learn all that they can, by what we provide to them. Aside from the curriculum, our teacher presence and how we deliver the content is essential to the process. 

Max Weber (1947) defined charisma as "a quality of an individual personality by virtue of which the leader is set apart from ordinary men/women and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional qualities." There is a biblical tie to this concept which makes that definition so grandiose. On a softer note, it is everything outside of the ordinary. There is an extraordinary presence when charisma is in the room. Our personality has a lot to do with this, so it is important that we understand how we want to present ourselves in our classroom. It begins with us, first.

Do we want to be extraordinary? Are we setting the bar high enough or settling for average? Are we OK with being "average"? Learning is a continuum and there is so much more that we can do. Our creativity is limitless. We can strive to do better and find the time to do so. Have you decided what you want to add in your courses yet? Video welcome announcement? Purple Group Forum? More compassion? Sense of Humor? Images? Use of art? Comic strip?

What can you do in your classroom that defines YOU? Even in our personal lives, we can begin to explore those areas too. Think about it...

Dr. K 

Weber, M. (1947). The Theory of Social and Economic Organization, (Parsons, T., ed.; A.M. Henderson and T. Parsons, trans). New York: Free Press. (Originally published 1924).

Hello FAB faculty!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you all have had an amazing week so far! As we come close to the weekend, are you noticing your patterns and how you tend to spend your time throughout the week? Have you found any holes where you can place new tasks or activities into? If so, this would be the place where you can think about new ways to enhance your classroom. 

This would be a great place to start! Find the time to do it. Time-management is essential to this process. We understand how important charisma can be in our classrooms. It is all about connection and communication. Our teacher presence will enhance our student engagement. What area of your teacher presence would you like to reflect on most? Any ideas yet? Share your plan if you have one. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Dr. K

Hello all!

Check out this visual aid. Visual aids are also great ways to engage with our students. I tend to use visual aids such as graphs and/or quotes in my purple group forum or as a discussion question in the main forum. If the visual aid has substance and encourages critical analysis, I am a fan. Charisma is the core...right in the center of positivity, presence and power. This is interesting. Can you see how charisma works?? Charisma can filter through and enrich so many other areas in our lives. 

How can charisma work in both your personal and professional life? Think about it...

Dr. K

Happy Sunday everyone!

I have enjoyed this forum with you all. I want to thank you for your participation and support. I hope that the content in this forum was valuable. Feel free to review prior posts and points of views. We had such great dialogue and I hope that you continue to gain understanding about charisma and how it impacts student engagement. Charisma is a piece of servant leadership as well. Charisma can definitely magnify relationships within the online setting!

Professional development is such a key piece in our profession. Let's all continue to strive towards personal growth, character development and professionalism. We can all learn so much from one another. Continue to take risks by trying out new techniques in the classroom. Utilize our Faculty Forums and Focus Group that we have provided through GCU. 

I am hoping to conduct another discussion forum this year so I hope to see you all soon! Again, thank you so much for taking your time out to enjoy a cup of charisma with me. Let's sip real soon! Best to you!

Dr. K