Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to identify, recognize, and manage our own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. By defining EQ as a capability, teachers made it possible to decide how teaching and nurturing EQ could enhance students’ learning experience. 

In the last few decades, research has shown how much EQ can impact the development of learners. A study found that children who can learn to control impulses, delay gratification, and maintain their expression become healthier and more responsible adults. 

The Impact Online Courses Have On Emotional Intelligence

There is quite a bit that can be done to improve the instructional design of an online course to accommodate the fact that emotions significantly influence learning. Online courses allow students to develop strategies that can be used to manage their emotions and those of their peers, recognizing that it is also an essential skill used throughout their lives. 

Self-Awareness

To be self-aware is the ability to accurately identify your own thoughts and emotions and understand how they influence your behavior. This includes assessing our strengths and weaknesses honestly, which leads to a grounded sense of optimism and confidence. 

When it comes to online learning, self-awareness can easily be stimulated by asking your students, “How do you feel?” and “Why?” For instance, when discussing literature, try to see how your students feel about a particular character and ask them why they have those feelings.

This is both useful in virtual classroom forums and face-to-face communication. Pedagogue is an excellent platform for teachers to create virtual classrooms and forums for discussing emotional intelligence. 

Motivation

Motivation is one of the most critical skills that a student can develop, especially when it comes to online learning, where being self-driven and disciplined are key. Motivating students that are participating in an online learning environment is not a difficult task. 

Start by asking your students to write down their goals for the course and place reminders for each phase’s end. It also helps to track their progress, so they can see how they are meeting their goals in a gamified way. 

Empathy

Empathy is a crucial component of emotional intelligence, as it is one’s ability to take on another person’s perspective, especially if they are from a different culture or background. Empathy enables students to navigate the continuously diversifying world better. 

Setting tasks that require students to adopt a different role, either in written assignments or debate, can help encourage empathy. Being compelled to argue a position we disagree with is uncomfortable, but it can be incredibly useful in developing a more open-minded worldview. 

Concluding Thoughts

Understanding that emotional intelligence is not something that some people are born with, but something that is learned should encourage you as a teacher. Know that your less emotionally intelligent students are not defective and that you will nurture their EQ. Also, we need to acknowledge that intrapersonal intelligence is important also.