Something else to consider when teaching an online course is the technical ability of the student.  Being an older student myself, I had to learn a whole new world when it came to computers and blogging, and different programs that are available out there. 

The world of technology has come so far in the past several years that if you stop, even for a moment, to smell the roses, the technology world has already left you in the dust.  What I'm trying to say is that the students who struggle with this modern world may not get as much out of class if there are a lot of technical hoops to jump through.  I know for myself that I have to concentrate on what I'm doing and avoid the desire to call my 22-year-old son and ask him for help.  I believe the more advanced and comfortable one is with technology, that could make a big difference as to how successful that student would be in an online community.  For older students, it can be a real stretch.  Professors have to keep in mind that in the online environment, you could be working with a wide range of ages, and not everybody is on the same page regarding familiarity.

We try hard, but we come from the world of transistor radios and rotary dial phones!