I really appreciate the part about building relationships with the students. I think a combination of having the student post their biography (with the suggested structure) will be helpful.
For adult learners, I think the question regarding what led them to take this course is extremely important. Adults have many reasons for taking courses. For example, it may be that the person wants to get a better job (with a sense of urgency). For others (i.e. older people who are retired), it may be an opportunity for socialization. Understanding this is crucial to serving them as an instructor.
I also think sending the personal email within the first week is extremely powerful. From this, the student will know that they have an instructor who is listening to them (i.e. ref from their biography) and that really cares about the student's progress. This will give the student a peace of mind about the class. It will also encourage them to work hard and to do well. Indeed, this interaction has the potential to develop a relationship that will endure through the class. It is a way of "paying forward" the relationship - making it easier for the instructor to address potential difficulties in the event difficulties surface later.
