Online office hours have become an essential part of both in-person and virtual courses. They offer flexibility, accessibility, and a lower barrier to entry compared to traditional office hours. It’s important for instructors to host online office hours that foster meaningful student engagement, effective communication, and quality learning. In this post, we’ll explore some best practices and tips for running successful online office hours that benefit both you and your students.
Scheduling
Scheduling is a crucial aspect of online office hours. Instructors should aim to schedule office hours at times when most students are able to attend, avoiding peak class times when students are busiest. The goal is to maximize student attendance. A good practice is to survey your students to determine the best time for standing weekly office hours. While you may not be able to perfectly accommodate everyone’s schedule, office hours will still be accessible to as many students as possible. Having an established time when learners know you will be available eliminates the barrier for them to schedule with you individually.
Another effective scheduling practice is to offer students the opportunity to schedule 1-on-1 online office hours with you. Whether via email or by signing up for a time slot, allowing students to meet with you outside of standard office hours can help accommodate their busy schedules. Instructors can use free online booking tools to share available time slots, allowing students to sign up for a time that works best for them. If you have enabled Zoom in your Canvas course, you can set times in the Zoom tab to let students book with you directly.
Preparation
Instructors should prepare for office hours, just like students do. Students will come prepared with questions that they have regarding class content. A good option is to give students the option to submit a question beforehand, so you can know exactly what to prepare for and how to instruct that student in online office hours.
Additionally, logistical preparation is crucial for successful online office hours. Ensure that students know when office hours begin and end, where to find the link to join, and that the link is working. Try to keep the link in the same place and start office hours at the same time every week, such as on the Home Page or in the Zoom tab of Canvas. Consistency makes it easier for students to build their schedules and develop a routine. Changing the schedule or link each week can confuse students and negatively impact attendance.
Conduct
Choose a professional, quiet location, such as a home office or desk, to hold office hours. Avoid distractions in the background, such as barking dogs or a loud television, to help students stay focused without being distracted by what’s happening behind you.
Instructors should be open and welcoming during online office hours. Just like in-person office hours, students will want to connect with you and build a relationship. Online office hours provide an excellent opportunity for students to establish a personal rapport with you, which might enable you to serve as a future reference or to share further educational opportunities. Take time to talk with them about topics beyond just class content. Ask about what they are studying, their dream career, where they are from, or their hobbies outside of school.
As an instructor, it is important to be an active listener during online office hours. Listen attentively to each student’s concerns and fully address their questions to provide the best assistance possible. It’s also a good idea to note down the student’s name and the details of the conversation. This way, both you and the student can refer back to the discussion if a question arises again. By actively listening, you demonstrate to students that you are invested in their learning and success in the course.
There are additional tips available about online office hours on UNE Online’s blog as well.
If you want to discuss any of these practices or learn how to implement online office hours, schedule a consult with one of us at Clemson Online!
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This training will cover how to access Kaltura, upload videos into Kaltura, create videos with Kaltura Express Capture and Kaltura Capture, and embed Kaltura videos into your Canvas courses. When registering, please include any questions you have about this training topic
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Clemson Online Summer 2026 Events Calendar
Review our Summer 2026 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!
We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!
All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.
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