So what makes a tool great? Or, a better question than that: What should we do with tools to make them great? Here are some thoughts and feedback is appreciated, this is not an exclusive list!
(See # 7 from Warlick in his comment)
Look for ways to capture the richness that a good instructor brings to the classroom, such as responsiveness, a sense of humor, interesting stories and examples, and immediate feedback. Also, when considering moving a classroom course online, approach it not just as converting one form to another, but as an opportunity to improve the existing product.