Entry 5: Building Relationships in Virtual Spaces

Date: May 27, 2025
Quotation: "In virtual settings, connection must be intentional it doesn’t happen by default" (Taylor, 2021, p. 198).
Reference:
Taylor, A. (2021). Connection and community in online education. Journal of Online Learning, 25(3), 190–205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-021-09976-3

Why I Included This:
This entry follows naturally from my reflections on purpose in Entry 4. If my “why” is to empower learners through connection, then I must be deliberate about fostering relationships (even online). In my LINC class, where many students face language and cultural barriers, this is especially urgent.

Taylor’s quote reminded me that community building in virtual spaces is not a by-product but a design feature. Inspired by this, I began creating space at the start of each class for social interaction, simple check-ins, breakout room chats, or sharing a favorite memory. These small acts began transforming the tone of our sessions. Learners reported feeling more confident and less isolated.

This also builds on Entry 1: digital equity includes not just skills but also the feeling of belonging in a digital space. It deepened my understanding that access is emotional as well as technological. As I continued implementing flipped classroom strategies (Entry 2), I also ensured that social presence wasn’t lost in the shift.

This entry marks a move toward relational pedagogy. My growth is evident in how I now design for emotional engagement as much as academic outcomes. The idea of connection as intentional has reframed how I plan, teach, and reflect.