Students must feel welcome in order to learn. It is your job as a online facilitatior to make sure that level of trust and relationship is well known throughout your course. Share a personal biography, ask students to do the same, and to comment on at least 2 people's biography from the class. Send check in emails to make sure student know you are there for them and willing to help when needed. Make sure all expectations are known at the beginning of the class. You could maybe post a class syllabus for refrence.
