
Two things I've picked up from other online instructors:
1) a Joke of the Day (not my thing, but it worked for my colleague--when I tried it, it was an effective ice breaker)
2) daily requirement for each student to text the instructor in order to stay in touch--the instructor was able to turn that contact into a warm, relationship-building contact
Thanks for sharing! It is always refreshing to see a teacher share with other people. Some people simply do not want to share, they want to keep all of the different ideas to themselves!!
Kuddos to you!!