Emotions are integral to human existence. The impact emotions leave on student motivation and engagement is gradually being recognized in academic settings. Traditional classrooms provide an opportunity to exhibit and assess these intangible aspects of human behavior, but it is always challenging for online students to express their emotions on video conferencing platforms. In this project, we have explored the various limitations faced by the students to connect emotionally with their classmates or the teachers and how distanced they feel in developing a community of learning in an online environment.

We drew inspiration from the Community of Inquiry model and created a design concept that empowers students to record their emotional state and provide feedback to teachers in creating a motivating learning climate. It also offered students a better emotional presence by creating avatars and enhance their virtual social presence (we called it LOREE).