With online learning the focus is often placed on what technological tools can be utilized, along with the qualities or characteristics that students need in order to be successful in this environment. The use of technology helps to create a setting necessary for learning to occur but it is the human element that brings the classroom environment to life and sustains it. For online classes, students have to learn to focus on their methods of written communication; however, there is another skill they must learn in order to improve their interactions and working relationships.
That critical skill is social intelligence and it is an ability to engage in productive communication with or interact with someone else in a well-behaved manner, and this includes students and instructors. It works in conjunction with emotional intelligence, which is an ability to recognize and manage a person's emotions. However, social intelligence is more focused on the quality of getting along with others and for a technologically enabled environment it must be adapted - just as the process of learning has been adapted for this online environment.
The Online Classroom
For someone who has never worked in an online classroom setting they may not understand that developing relationships with others requires a more concerted effort. Without the benefit of visual cues and an opportunity to clarify what has been communicated, messages or discussion posts are subject to interpretation based upon perceptual factors that was gathered from the written words. Once a message has been posted or an email has been sent, there is no going back as it is now a permanent record.
If the message was misinterpreted it is unlikely the other person will respond to you or if they do it may be done in an unpleasant manner. If you are not physically present to explain the context of the message it can cause repercussions. If another student feels attacked, talked down to, or is provoked in some manner, that relationship will likely suffer. If it is an instructor who has perceived your communication to be improper there may be further consequences. At the very basis of all social interactions it is a written message that promotes or weakens your relationships with others.
Student to Student Interactions
The relationships you develop with other students takes time and occurs through a series of interactions that create a sense of connection and familiarity. If you can develop productive relationships with others you will find that your communication with each other in class is a little more relaxed because you are at ease to some degree with each other. In other words, being sociable with one another does not need to feel forced and if there is a potential misunderstanding you will be more likely to contact each other for further clarification.
For those students you do not know very well, or you have not yet established a connection with them, acting social may feel more forced at times or done and it careful manner - and that is how interactions should take place in a perfect online classroom environment. A problem that comes up for some students is that they are used to very casual communication through technological means - such as text messaging and participation in social networking websites. It seems to be more common to read about fights that have occurred through sites such as Facebook or Twitter, and that is a perfect example of a need for social intelligence and most likely emotional intelligence as well.
Student to Instructor Interactions
One of the most important relationships that a student can have is the one they develop with their instructors. That relationship begins immediately once class starts and the expectation for both is that they will have respectful interactions and communication. At a minimum students need to maintain that respect and communicate in a matter that demonstrates an attitude of being receptive and open to two-way communication - and that includes being open to constructive criticism. In order to accomplish that goal highly developed social intelligence is required.
Unfortunately as an online educator I have seen a growing trend among students - a willful disregard of social etiquette. I've read students' posts that have demonstrated an uncaring, uncooperative, and even aggressive attitude. I've also read emails from students that lacked basic social skills and had no intent on developing productive interactions. With that type of communication there is a belief on the part of the students that there will be no repercussions as they are either justified in their position or they have paid for their classes and are owed something, such as a particular grade. This lack of social intelligence only results in damaged relationships and never produces a positive outcome for the student.
Developing Social Intelligence
There are steps any student can take to develop or further refine their social intelligence. Here are the top five methods that any online student can follow, which I have found are useful for my experience working with students.
#1. Develop Productive Communication - With an online class you are represented by the words you choose to post or send by email. Follow the basic guidelines for communication and consider the words you choose and how the tone of your message may be received and interpreted - before you send or post it.
#2. Remember Relationships Matter - As an online student you are not seeking to win a popularity contest or make friends with everyone. However, you are in a learning environment and collaborating with others through your discussions. What you want to develop are productive working relationships, which means that for the duration of the course you want to interact well with them.
#3. Interact with Respect - Everyone in your class is owed a basic level of respect. You may not like each and every person you are required to interact with but you do have to work with them in some manner. Disrespect, or intentional communication that is not courteous, can cause negative feelings and disrupt the class if left unchecked. If you find you have clashed with someone you must learn to stop and repair the damage.
#4. Mind Your Manners - This speaks to the purpose of being composed and knowing how to interact with others in social settings. It may be easier to do if you were face-to-face as you cannot see other students in an online class - and that means you must adapt your physical presence so that it translates to virtual manners. Treat what you post or send by email as if the receiver was there in person with you.
#5. Keep Your Attitude in Check - One of the most important relationships is the one you cultivate with your instructors. Approach those relationships by demonstrating a cooperative and respectful attitude. Be humble and willing to accept their feedback and guidance and you will find that it is possible to develop a meaningful connection throughout the class - as long as you maintain an attitude that you are willing to learn.
Maintaining Social Intelligence
Developing social intelligence takes practice and you will receive feedback through your interactions and exchanges - including those that occur smoothly and those you may find to be challenging. It is likely that with the start of each new class you will have to develop a mindset that you are starting over again because you likely have new classmates and a different instructor. Begin each new class from the perspective of being well-behaved and respectful - and make attempts to interact with others in a meaningful way. The discussion board provides a format for the development of connections that are more effective than a chat room because you are collaborating with others based upon a specific topic.
You will likely encounter personalities that do not mesh well with yours so be pleasant and professional in your communication at all times. Never use sarcasm or act as if you are competing with other students. You are all in this journey of learning and it is your unique perspectives that adds meaning. Always keep in mind that the words you choose to use represent you and establish an image of who you are - and even the values you possess. Right or wrong, your posts demonstrate your social intelligence or lack thereof. As you learn and maintain this skill you will find it is transferable to your career. It involves much more than being social, it is being deliberate in your communication and interactions. If you learn to leverage it well you will produce positive outcomes.
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