Understandably, many instructors worry about establishing and maintaining rapport and engagement with students in higher-enrollment courses. Indeed, it can be more challenging to monitor individual students’ learning progress and to address their specific learning needs in large classes. Instructor immediacy, the perceived distance between students and faculty, may also be diminished. However, there are strategies to foster connection and engagement in all class sizes. These involve frequent announcements, timely feedback, and periodic check-ins, which are discussed in more detail below.

• Use class announcements strategically. Announcements offer a way to speak directly to students, show interest in their learning, and summarize themes or thoughtful interesting insights from student work. These behaviors can help humanize the professor and serve as a "nudges" that keep students engaged with the course. Announcements that go beyond logistics and convey genuine interest and enthusiasm can enhance instructor-student rapport.
• Create videos or audio clips that use story-telling. Short videos or audio clips (that you can record right on your phone) familiarize students with the instructor in a way that feels more immediate and personal than text alone. Stories or examples that connect to course content can further humanize the instructor while also enhancing relevance and retention.
• Provide audio or video feedback. Occasionally varying your feedback format by using audio or video that allows students to hear your tone and inflection. This can enhance instructor presence and make students feel as if they are in direct conversation with you about their work.
• Survey students on their interests, goals, and attitudes. Invite students to share their motivations for taking the course, their interests, and goals via early and mid-semester surveys. These can help you learn about students and tailor examples, topics, or assignments to their goals. Acknowledging or incorporating this input signals that the instructor values students as individuals, not just as names on a roster.
• Seek student input and feedback. Many engagement strategies involve showing students you value their voice and perspective, and seeking their input on the course is a powerful way to do this. While you may not be able to act on every suggestion during the term, small adjustments can often be made in response to student feedback. Even simply acknowledging and validating their input demonstrates that their contributions matter.