I just had to try out editing our Wiki for the first time! But I also had a bit to say on this topic. Unfortunately, there are still too many instructors who think that their course can be turning into an online format just by posting their ppt notes, assigned pages in the book and sending a weekly assignment by email. I believe, that the critical aspect of teaching/learning that must be transferred to online courses is the interaction, both between instructor/student but also student/student. Community college students often lack a sense of community (ironically enough) and online students even more so. Students learn as well if not better from each other than from us so it is paramount that this aspect is incorporated into online courses.
Of course achieving this can be difficult due to the online format and is also complicated by the fact that many online students take classes in that format to give them the most flexibility. Much like F2F courses, organized meeting times are most efficient for all involved and are important to faculty as well so that we're not answering calls and emails 23 hrs a day! (we teach because we love it but I would imagine that we all have other important aspects to our daily lives as well! My children think so!)
Alex

Smile, you just got edited.
Many of my students are straight out of High School. Not having attended one, here or elsewhere recently, I can't be certain of my premise. However, it appears that they still want to be told what to learn. I've had students come to me after a lecture and ask me " Which are the important bits?". Nowadays, I tell them up-front which they are.

They do not grasp the concept of communal learning, even though I 'm sure we all stress its value. How can we hope to get them to form these 4-5 member groups for personal interactions? I'm expecting a number to be Freshmen (gender neutral?) lacking this capacity.
Doug