Try to avoid synchronous online discussions 

Initiate, lead, monitor, and manage synchronous discussion sessions

online teaching posts many challenges but organization is a key. Knowing well your course content is very important.

To provide mini lectures so don't overwhelm our students with too much information at once.

I liked the ideas for ice-breaking activities. Having students put their names on a index car along with personal  information and then having a little group discussion about it. 

To come to class early and prepare ahead of time. To show yourself as a person then as an instructor 

I learned that the most important thing in the classroom is learning and not necessary teaching. We are the facilitators and subject experts and we have to make sure that our instructional delivery promotes learning. Our role is not to simply read power point slides and talk for hours but to inspire, motivate and lead.