Encouraging communication between the students and instructor and student to student is very important. The students don't see each other or the instructor face-to-face in online courses so don't get the interactions with others. As online instructors, it is our responsibility to build community. To do this, I plan to be more engaged in all discussions and in prompt replies to emails and other communications. I will encourage appropriate and correct written communication. In addition, I will model this to my students.
