Education Blog

 The Importance of Promoting Pro-Social Behaviors in Online Teaching

A recent study from the University of Missouri College of Education and Human Development

concludes that “students tend to be more motivated to learn and be engaged in the classroom

when their teacher likes and cares about them. Positive teacher-student relationships change

student behavior, and in this study, we found building those positive relationships actually

leads to better teaching, too. It changes teacher behavior.” The study results highlight the

reciprocal relationship of strong student-teacher bonds at all grade levels: bonding with

students makes teachers better and bonding with teachers motivates students to work harder

at learning.

It's not difficult to imagine how teachers can build strong student-teacher bonds in a brick-and-

mortar classroom, but what are some strategies to do it in a virtual classroom? Perhaps not too

surprising, the same strategies can work in both types of classrooms. You might just have to be

a little more intentional about it in the virtual classroom.

Strategies for pro-social teaching encourage interaction between the student and teacher that

extends beyond delivering content, and focuses on building an emotional connection and

allowing for student reflection:

 Use stories (narrative) to build empathy, perspective and critical thinking.

 Use service learning to practice important academic and life skills.

 Catch people doing what you want them to do, and praise that behavior.

 Welcome other people’s perspectives on a situation, and ask the student to explain or

justify the other perspective.

 Cheer someone on when they’re about ready to give up.

 Practice gratitude in the classroom (gratitude is a mood-enhancer.)

 Encourage random acts of kindness (to increase compassion and a sense of inter-

connectedness).

 Teacher can model vulnerability (to build empathy, kindness, and self-forgiveness).

 Equip students with the language of compassion.

There are courses educators can take to learn and practice some of these strategies. You can

even become a Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES), with the course of study provided

all online.

The University of Missouri study and my research into strategies for pro-social learning confirm

what I’ve always observed in the classroom: teaching is about so much more than lecturing.

When a student (at whatever level of school) is encouraged and challenged to think critically

and empathetically, and when the student’s unique perspective is valued, their learning and

ability to put learning into action are greatly enhanced. Teaching to facilitate this type of

learning is possible, just not (yet) the norm.

Written by Michele Straube