As digital learning environments have become increasingly common, educators are tasked with rethinking their approaches to fostering meaningful student interactions. The transition from in-person to virtual settings fundamentally changes how teachers connect with learners, often removing the familiar cues of body language, eye contact, and tone of voice that help build rapport in traditional classrooms. Without these face-to-face interactions, conveying a sense of human connection and care becomes more challenging. However, the absence of physical presence does not reduce the need for empathy—it amplifies it. Caring and building supportive relationships are even more critical in online teaching, where students may feel isolated or disconnected from their peers and instructors. The virtual environment demands that educators consciously and creatively find ways to communicate care, empathy, and support to ensure that students feel engaged, valued, and connected despite the physical distance.

Author: Johanna Heinonen

Caring in Digital Learning Environments

Research has consistently shown that personal interaction and caring are vital factors in motivating students and improving their learning outcomes. Studies in digital customer service have demonstrated that the perception of care and attention significantly influences customer satisfaction and loyalty (Heinonen 2024). This concept can be directly applied to education: when students feel their instructor cares for and recognises them as individuals, their engagement and academic performance are enhanced, making them feel valued and appreciated (Bingham et al. 2015).

Caring in teaching goes beyond merely imparting knowledge. It involves the educator empathising with students and supporting their learning journey. Instructors must recognise students’ needs and adjust their approach to ensure that learning proceeds smoothly and students feel valued.

In online education, the expression of care can take many forms, such as personalised feedback, timely responses, and considerate communication. Research emphasises that tailored communication, which acknowledges the student’s unique circumstances, significantly enhances their perception of being cared for (Wang et al. 2023).

Empathy plays a central role in this process. Educators must demonstrate an understanding of students’ challenges and provide support that helps them achieve their learning objectives. This is especially important in digital environments, where students may feel isolated. A caring approach from the instructor can humanise the learning process and better address students’ needs (Bingham et al. 2015).

Co-Creation in Education

Another essential aspect of the educator-student relationship is co-creation. This concept highlights that the quality of the learning process is not solely the teacher’s responsibility; students actively participate in shaping the learning experience. The teacher is a facilitator, supporting students’ efforts and adapting teaching methods to meet their needs.

In co-creation, students play an active role in their learning process. Teachers can encourage this by allowing students to influence assignments and course content. This type of collaboration increases student engagement and motivation, as they feel they have a meaningful role in their education (Ryan & Deci 2017).

Research shows that co-creation enhances student motivation and commitment because they feel control over their learning. This highlights the importance of teachers listening to students and being flexible in designing and delivering instruction (Wang et al. 2023).

Caring and Co-Creation as Cornerstones of Education

The principles of caring and co-creation can be implemented in numerous practical ways. The educator’s role increasingly shifts to that of a guide and support, providing resources and space for the student’s active learning. This might mean offering students freedom of choice in learning methods and assignments, allowing them to select the approaches that best suit their needs (Wang et al., 2023).

In online education, students do not always receive face-to-face feedback, but personalised feedback from the teacher can compensate for this absence. When students feel that the instructor is paying attention to their progress and offering concrete suggestions for improvement, their motivation and engagement increase (Ryan & Deci 2017).

Caring and co-creation are essential for creating meaningful learning experiences in digital environments. While technology has changed the dynamic between teachers and students, it has also enhanced the learning experience. Human values such as empathy and recognition remain critical. Teachers must actively strive to demonstrate care for their students and support their individual learning needs, particularly in virtual environments lacking physical presence.

Research shows that the principles of caring and co-creation improve learning outcomes, increase student engagement, and make the learning process more human. These factors enhance the educational experience and lay the foundation for long-term learning motivation and success (Ryan & Deci 2017; Heinonen 2024). For educators, this means recognising student needs and adapting teaching to ensure that caring and co-creation are integral parts of instructional design and practice.

References

Bingham, T., Pink, D. H., & Conner, M. L. 2015. The new social learning: connect. collaborate. work. 2nd ed. ATD Press.

Heinonen, J. 2024. Caring matters: Co-creational elements of caring in chat-based service encounters. Doctoral dissertation. University of Eastern Finland. Cited 18 Sept 2024. Accessible at http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-61-5291-2

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. 2017. Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Press.

Wang, X.-M., Hu, Q.-N., Hwang, G.-J., & Yu, X.-H. 2023. Learning with digital technology-facilitated empathy: An augmented reality approach to enhancing students’ flow experience, motivation, and achievement in a biology program. Interactive Learning Environments. Vol. 31(10), 6988–7004. Cited 18 Sept 2024. Accessible at https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2022.2057549

Author

Johanna Heinonen is a Senior Lecturer and RDI Specialist at LAB University of Applied Sciences. She is particularly passionate about studying how digital tools and applications could be used more efficiently. She wrote her PhD in about co-creational elements of caring.

Illustration: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1652111 (CC0)

Reference to this article

Heinonen, J. 2024. The Importance of Caring in Online Education. LAB Pro. Cited and the date of citation. Available at https://www.labopen.fi/en/lab-pro/the-importance-of-caring-in-online-education/