I like the idea of opening a live chat with a survey- as well as adding a survey to the home page of any course I teach. It gets people engaged- and generates interesting results.

I would prefer to include a 5-10 minute You Tube video 2-3 times during a one hour live chat. It breaks up the live chat, which keeps each student's attention.

I've taught online for about 3 years. I think that at least some live chats should be mandatory. The best interactions I get with students is in a live chat environment.

I recently finished my first book, Cost Accounting for Dummies (Wiley Publishing, March 2013). By offering a free, online course, I think I can enhance the material that students read in the book. I'd be interested in feedback. Thanks! Ken Boyd www.stltest.net