When fostering a blended distance education format, many students feel they can skip the online lectures and rely solely on the in-person sessions to master content. What can be the best methods to capture the students' attention to the importance of the online material?

Engaging students can be a challenge. Emphasizing the importance of knowledge retention as it relates to the totality of the curriculum has helped, but there are still those students who put things off because they can. 

The use of course content can be an huge part of the instructors ability to grab the students' attention. 

Test composition is important to allow the student to understand question in a distance learning format. 

Allowing students to progress at their own rate is a valuable part of asynchronous learning. 

WOW, distance learning in the 1720S?!? Distance learning has been round longer than most people think and now with the internet, education can be world wide instantly. 

Preparation is a huge part of success. Having your lecture organized and efficient will help to convey the message you are trying to teach. Addressing as many learning styles as possible to capture your audience. 

It is not only important to greet students and get to know them, but to also give them expectations for the course

Planning must be flexible. Things change in the classroom on a regular basis, so keeping track of the flow of the lesson allows the information to be tailored to the students for that given day. 

Instructors must lead by example. We should be life long learners and demonstrate the desire for self improvement to our students to encourage their active participation in our courses.