I enjoy being the "Guide on the Side". From my first course teaching online, I quickly adopted this as a best practice philosophy. As the online students rarely post their photos, the instructor is working with a faceless group. No verbal cues or clues to assess whether or not the student is "getting it". In guiding the student through the course, you learn about the student, their issues, concerns, and questions. The student can learn at their own pace, and as the instructor, you learn how to assist each student in maximizing their understanding of the course material.