It is essential to create opportunities for students to communicate together in the online environment. Discussion threads are a great way to start. It is also good to encourage students to network and build a rapport with each other while in the online environment, many of them will be in the same classes together at different opportunities. When designing their communication opportunities, be especially concerned with: 1. The overall goal and objectives 2. How often communication needs to occur 3. Specific guidelines for expectations of the communication for and with each other. Considering these different areas to cover will assist a person in correctly designing the online communication that is wished to achieve and the students might even enjoy the overall process. Sharon