We have all been there: sitting alone with a microphone, narrating slide after slide, wondering whether our students feel a connection to the person behind the screen. In online pedagogy, research tells us that social factors such as instructor presence are a key driver of student engagement (Gunawardena & Zittle, 1997; Mayer, 2014; Mayer, & DaPra, 2012, Richardson, & Swan, 2003). But the logistical hurdles—lighting, cameras, and the sheer time required for high-quality video production—often keep us hidden.
