We’ve all heard the expressions “It’s nice to put a face to the name”. Or, I prefer to “meet face to face”. Both of these have pleasant nuances, and few can argue that both build better relationships. Why then do so many students lack a picture profile? I have seen more blank mugs than cheery photos in discussion forums. We as instructors can remind our students to post the all-important avitar.
There is much evidence1 that having a picture profile leads to better learning and professional outcomes. Whether consciously or subconsciously I know I gravitated towards posts with pictures and I could better remember a peer’s background and posting history making the online learning experience more personal and engaging.
Have students start honing their personal profiles in the first week to improve their skills in self-branding. In business, a blank avatar may communicate to a potential employer or client just one word: “lazy” or “apathy”. In academics, having a personal profile may say: “engaged” or “interested” and cohorts tend to gravitate towards postings with pictures resulting in livelier discussion.
Having a picture is the first step, the next is to get them to invest time and/or money on a professional photo. They can attach it to every profile they own, in academics and in business, and let the self-branding begin.
If your students have trouble with adding a profile picture have them watch this 30 second video, How to Add a Profile Picture.
1 Why Your Picture Profile is So Important, Five Reasons You Must Have a Photo
Written by Ken Harmel