I just want to stress the need I find as an online instructor to work maybe harder than a "real-live" instructor to get to know my students. We don't have the ability to shake anyone's hand or smile at them. We can't use body language or non-verbal cues to reassure our students. We also don't have them captive in a room that shares energy and enthusiasm. They are free to come and go as they please with very surface-level interaction from us and it is for that reason that we have check in more often and really work hard to connect through the medium of the internet. We should keep in mind that different students will respond to different types of feedback differently --some will love to call us, some will love chats, some discussions. We must work harder to recognize and satisfy the needs of our students.