It is vital to have a clearly outlined syllabus (that can be adjusted to go with the needs of the group) and have effective communication with and between the different members of the group so all are aware of expectations and their roles in participation.
The utilization of different online tools for collaboration can help allow students to feel more involved in the course and encourage them to learn "with" the technology instead of "from" it.
Be sure to scaffold the lessons so both teacher and students can see a clear path for learning outlined and see the connections between the content. This scaffolding allows students to have a more welcoming experience as they work through the content sharing their experience with you and with others.
