Include allowances for extensions, if any. Course Outline with benchmark dates should be included with early correspondence with students and posted well in advance of the commencement of the course. Email Consider using an outside email address specifically for your course. Yahoo, hotmail, etc. Use filters in email.
Personal emails complimenting students on their participation is a great morale booster.
Provide prompt feedback to assignments, discussion posts, emails. Have the group pick a group facilitator, recorder, summarizer and have them do a teach-back. Make sure they switch roles during the course. Seed the discussion board. Encourage students to respond to other students' post by recognizing their comments and placing value on the interaction.