Course revision is so important.  Formative evaluations bring honesty to the course and help foster a feeling of student input matters and will be acknowledged and used.

Students need to know their status in the class and feel they have an active stake in what is being shared. Multiple feedback avenues can be used to achieve this.

Set a goal, plan it out, set boundaries and use self discipline.

The course begins with a great instructor who has a clear plan and goal for themselves and students and adequate resources and assistance. Being able to stay focused allows for a great deal of quality work in a limited amount of time.  Being organized and having set priorities and a definite agenda  to follow to facilitate a course makes for a positive and pleasant efficient instrutional experience.

As in all aspects of life, goals and plans get us where we want to go most efficiently.  Students need to learn this for the class and to be successful participants in life.

A variety of tools is great. It is important to consider student access to these tools and to use only what is needed so the focus isn't on the delivery but on the content.

Each instructor needs to have clear expectations for communication.  Using short cuts and slang may sometimes be appropriate but depending upon the class and format, it is reasonable to ask for communication to be done in a more formal manner.

Often, students have the idea that an online class is like drive in fast food, stop, go, be satisfied. It is our job to be clear this is not the case and to provide quality content, presentation and assistance to change that perception.

Rubrics are an amazing tool.  They take the guess and confusion out of expections and evaluation.  The instructor has to have a clear idea of what they are wanting to teach, how it will be done and measured which in turn allows students to move confidently in the class.

I appreciate the comments concerning generations of learners.  Each generation has it's strengths but we often judge or hold ones outside our own as deficient, lazy, ridiculous, tyrants, etc.  As we blend these groups, we are able to find the best of all and develop an appreciation for differences.