I feel like there is a learning curve to being an online learner.  In the first few classes, students are trying to learn how to navigate and utilize the functionality of their virtual classroom as much as they are trying to learn the content of the course.  Do you find that students in later classes are more apt to participate?

I usually teach face to face but attended online graduate school.  While I tried to attend live chats most of the time, it was easier and more informative for me to watch the prerecorded chats.  At the time, my children were very young and unpredicatable and were often a distraction to the real time chats.  Going back later, with the ability to hit pause, was really nice.  Is there a way for you to monitor which students watch the recorded live chats later on?