As an online instructor at the collegiate level for many years, I cannot agree with this point more:
"Before the end of the first week of the course, send a personalized message to each student. Identify any aspect of the student's comm biographical sketch you believe is safe to comment on. Send your personal comments. Remind them of your virtual office hours."
I have had so many students comment no other online instructor took the time to make it personal, and it put them more at ease and felt they were part of a real class.
