oel, Good info. Thanks. Keeping students engages and making them feel a part of the course with interaction with others and the instructor is essential. Feedback should be meaningful and consistent. I tell my students "immediate" to me means 24 hours. If you answer students questions at midnight, they'll expect it every time. I put a statement in my syllabus that I do not consistently check email on Saturday and Sunday, but if they post a question on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Discussion Board (I tell them not to email me, but post their question on the discussion board so everyone can benefit from their question and the answer) that I (or another students - and I give extra credit for this) will answer within 24 hours. Just something that works for me, but it prevents me from becoming an 24-7 online instructor.