Want to get to know your students quickly, try having them create a homepage blog, try using clickers gives them a bit of anonymity. Perhaps a video introduction would be a way to get to know your distance ed students. Need to set up presentation or meeting schedules there are easy to use apps to help with that.
Some technologies in house can be found at this Educational Technology link Want to invite a guest to lecture to your class but they are on the other side of the country here are some conferencing systems available to you.
Lynda.com available to faculty, staff and students can help learn a new skill or brush up on an old one. Some apps blogged about are Doodle.com for scheduling, Socrative.com for audience response.
Share with us what has worked for you!
Let us know what you want to do and we can try to make it happen. Contact OET!