I learned that providing a bio of your credentials, experience, and accomplishments can help students engage with you. You can also help students to engage with each other through discusssion boards of the course content, and discussion forums of nonn-content-related topics. This helps learners in similar locales connect with each other. You can also answer questions about the course, being careful not to use the enquirer's name without their permission. I will be sure my online courses contain rich discussion and conversation forums, a listing of office hours where I can be available to answer their questions in real time, and group activities that allow students to interact wiith and learn from each other.
