Building meaningful connections with your students is more crucial than ever. Research consistently shows that when students feel a genuine connection to their instructor and peers, they’re more likely to engage honestly in their academic work. Emilie Cook and Norma Hollebeke, in their excellent resource Culturally Responsive Teaching and Humanizing the Student Experience In the Age of AI, give needed tips on how to help students feel like they belong in this era. Creating an environment where students feel seen, valued, and supported not only promotes academic integrity but also fosters an inclusive learning community where everyone can thrive.

To establish these vital connections, create a welcoming digital presence

• Include a personalized introduction video that:
  • Shares aspects of your professional and personal journey
  • Clearly states how you would like to be addressed and invites students to do the same
  • Demonstrates your authentic teaching style and personality
  • Outlines your vision for building a collaborative learning community
  • Acknowledges the challenges and opportunities of modern learning
  • Shows empathy and understanding for diverse student experiences

Encourage student engagement

• Offer multiple ways for students to introduce themselves to the class that include:
  • Optional video introductions
  • Written discussion posts
  • Interactive digital presentations
  • Visual introductions (photos, slides, or other creative formats)
• Respecting different comfort levels with live interaction and/or online visibility
• Creating structured opportunities for peer-to-peer connections
• Using inclusive language and practices that acknowledge diverse backgrounds and cultures

Remember: When students feel they belong to a supportive academic community, they’re more likely to uphold academic integrity standards and contribute positively to the learning environment. This approach creates a foundation for both ethical academic behavior and genuine inclusive excellence in your classroom.

Back to Main Page (Scroll to bottom of page for links to series) – How to Foster Academic Integrity

This content draws inspiration from the  University of California San Diego Academic Integrity website. They also provide a Reinforcing Academic Integrity in the Age of AI: A Guide for Instructors, which offers additional recommendations for how to craft a GenAI policy for your courses.