Research shows that teaching presence, or the way instructors design, communicate, and facilitate learning, has a direct impact on student satisfaction and perceived learning.
That’s where sentiment analysis comes in. Sentiment analysis is a branch of AI that interprets tone, emotion, and intent in human communication. Once primarily used in business to track customer opinions, it’s now finding its place in higher education as a tool to better understand the teaching and learning experience.
Why It Matters in Education
Decades of research confirm that how instructors teach is as important as the material itself. The Community of Inquiry framework, for example, identifies teaching presence as a critical factor in both engagement and perceived learning outcomes.
Other studies reinforce this idea. In blended and online environments, active instructor participation and constructive feedback have been shown to not only boost motivation but also help build a stronger sense of community among learners. An article in the July 2025 issue of the English Review Journal of English Education, “Teaching Presence and Its Impact on Student Engagement and Sense of Community in Blended Business English,” states:
“The components of teaching presence—design and organization, facilitation, and direct instruction—were all found to be significant predictors of engagement. A well-structured course design, active facilitation by the instructor, and timely, constructive feedback were crucial in maintaining high levels of student interest and participation.
“Secondly, instructor involvement, feedback, and facilitation were shown to have a profound impact on student performance and motivation. The availability and support of the instructor, the provision of specific and actionable feedback, and the creation of engaging learning environments were all identified as critical factors. These elements not only improved student performance but also enhanced their motivation to engage actively in the course.
“Thirdly, the study revealed that teaching presence plays a vital role in developing a supportive learning community that fosters active participation and collaboration. Clear course organization, active facilitation, and constructive feedback were essential in creating a sense of community. Instructors who encouraged participation, facilitated discussions, and provided opportunities for interaction helped students feel connected and willing to collaborate.”
And it’s not just what’s said, but how it’s delivered: nonverbal cues like gestures, facial expression, and posture can shape how students perceive teaching quality and effectiveness
Sentiment Analysis in the Higher-Ed Classroom
Sentiment analysis in education can:
- Evaluate teaching videos for tone, clarity, pacing, and energy, offering insights instructors may not recognize on their own.
- Highlight trends across courses or departments, helping institutions identify what works well and where support is needed.
- Support professional development by providing instructors with consistent, objective feedback on delivery and style.
- Enrich student feedback by supplementing end-of-term surveys with continuous, data-driven insights.
Like with any tool, sentiment analysis works best when applied thoughtfully. Administrators and instructors who use it should ensure they’ve defined clear goals, work to recognize context around engagement and what that looks like by discipline, and ensure their method of evaluation is fair and unbiased.
Importantly, sentiment analysis should always complement feedback from others, including peers, administrators, and students, rather than serving as a replacement for human feedback.
When administrators and instructors work together to connect teaching practice with student experience, everyone benefits. Translating areas like delivery, tone, and clarity into insights allows for more reflective teaching and more engaging learning, which is what every instructor strives for in their classroom.
