SIUE’s Snipes Finds Ways to Keep Humanity in his Online Teaching
Be attentive. Be respectful. Be flexible. This is good educational advice anytime, but especially when dealing with online instruction, according to J.T. Snipes, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Since SIUE first moved its courses online as a result of the growing concern over slowing the spread of COVID-19, Snipes has emphasized the instructional style called humanizing online teaching.
“This type of teaching is important now more than ever, because students and the University community are dealing with all types of crises given the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Snipes. “I want my students to know that I recognize they are human beings and not just another cog in our educational system.
“What that means, as I transition my courses online, is that I am always centering on their humanity. I am teaching students with jobs, families, dreams, passions and goals. If my teaching doesn’t consider those ideals, then I’m not humanizing online teaching.”
Based on Snipes’ research on the matter, he is continually working to perfect principles and techniques. Some of them, as noted by Drs. Mary Raygoza, Raina Leon and Aaminah Norris of Saint Mary’s College of California, include:
- Be present and prepared to be engaged
- Engage students in a “temperature check” at the beginning of class, for example ask them to represent their week in an emoji or a hashtag
- Listen deeply to whomever is speaking in the virtual room
- Try not to interrupt. If you do, apologize
- As the professor, summon a higher amount of energy to demonstrate your excitement and engagement
- Be authentic
- Foster equitable participation
- Be patient
Photo: J.T. Snipes, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership.
