Collect data online from the class itself, to be used throughout the term to illustrate quantitative analysis techniques. Such online resources as SurveyMonkey can collect this data anonymously and present it to the instructor in spreadsheet form suitable for analysis by the major statistical software programs (such as SPSS, SAS and SYSTAT). Include items requiring response data from all levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio). Collect data that can be used to meaningfully illustrate descriptive statistics, correlation, group mean differences, and whatever other statistics (including multivariate and instrument development statistics) that you wish to address in the course of the term.
Post detailed step-by-step instructions regarding how to carry out statistical operations on the software platform you have chosen. Explain every menu choice, every button to press, and every option to choose, leaving absolutely nothing to interpretation.
Post commonly encountered questions and problems, and their solutions, online for the class to see. Experience has shown that if one student voices a question about something that is unclear to him, about one-third of the class has the same question but is unwilling to ask it.
Leave extra time for assignments to be done in online courses, to allow for problems to arise and be resolved by you. You do not have the group in front of you to ask their questions in class. The students will be making their mistakes and encountering their questions in private, perhaps at an inconvenient hour. Leave extra time in the online context, and be careful to warn students about the need to start assignments well in advance of the due date.