I learned there is a certain balance required to keep students engaged in online discussions. You don't want to dominate their interactions by being overly involved, but you also don't want to be too far removed either. Highlighting good interactions and acknowledging students by name is a great way to encourage good behaviors to continue, and assigning students to lead discussions and online interactions is a great way to help them develop leadership skills. Essentially, how the Professor interacts in those spaces and the expectations he or she sets can really make a difference in how the students show up and participate as well.
