How flexible do instructors need to be in regards to the timing of their live chat sessions? I tend to like to have my chats during the day on Monday - so that early in the week, students know everything they have to know to complete the assignment. Some students prefer evening chats. I have been known to throw in an extra chat for students that prefer the live chat in the evening? Your thoughts?

Do you think it is important to send personalized emails to each student during week one as well as respond to their introductions in the classroom? Why is this extra effort on the part of the online professor important?

Do you believe that the length of the course impacts the students engagement? What do you believe is the optimum time for a course to last in the online environment?