I learned when and how to write a short biography and introduction to the students.  In fact, I am teaching a hybrid course this term and I just did both of these for the new students that are starting tomorrow.  I also learned tips about how to reply or engage students in telling about themselves.

Immediate feedback after a quiz is a great idea.  Better to change wrong thinking before that is all the student remembers.

I had never considered having a guest speaker in an online format, but that is a great idea.  I have been a student of many online courses, and I can say that a guest speaker would have gone a long way towards livening things up a bit!

Characteristics of quality online courses include navigational ease and learner-focused.  These can be accomplished with curriculum and design that are simple in layout, but challenge the student to use critical thinking skills and engage with other students via the internet.