Article: It’s always nice to be able to put a face to a name, and in an online course, the feeling of community has to form in a different way than in a traditional class. You can usually add a photo to your profile so it shows every time you post, or you could add an additional picture to your introduction post. If you’re uncomfortable with adding a photo for privacy reasons, that is okay! If it was requested by your instructor, just send them an email about your reservations to let them know why you aren’t adhering to their guidelines. Because you’re posting online, it can be tempting to slip into an informal way of “speaking” by using slang or loose grammar, so pay extra attention to your introduction post. Use full, complete sentences, proper grammar, and make sure to proofread before you hit “submit.” Try reading what you wrote out loud to hear how it sounds—this may help you reword or restructure your introduction for the best flow. Include information about why you’re in the class and about what you do during the rest of your time (either for work or for fun). For example, you could write “Hi, my name is Sharon Izzo, and I work during the day at a nursing home. When I’m not working or in class, I like to spend time with my spouse and our 3 rescue dogs.”  You can also share what city you live in if you’re comfortable with that—many students who are in online classes form study groups that either meet in person or online. Remember that less is more—your classmates will be less likely to read 5 paragraphs than they would 1 succinct paragraph. This is the best way to start building rapport with everyone. Reach out to others who live in the same area or who share the same interests as you. Chances are if you’re in the same program, you might have multiple courses with them over the next 1 or 2 years. Having an active presence in your online class will make your overall experience more gratifying, and it’ll also help you engage more with the material.
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Add a photo if you haven’t done so already. Keep your tone friendly and professional. Share personal and professional information. Respond to your classmates’ posts.