The Look and Feel of an Online Course
The look and feel of an online course is as important as the knowledge and skills it is designed to impart. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
@s101crider
I do agree that the look and feel of an online class is important. I once taught a class wehere I had to write all the questions, assignments, resources in html. The classroom itself was then just a long thread of responses. So boring and confusing. I finally color-coded all of my posts and sent a key to the students so they would be able to find assignments, comments and resources, etc. Today's classrooms are much more sophisticated. The increased use of smart phones and tablets has further impacted how we access classroom material as well.
The easier to navigate and the more clear the area designations, the better students will navigate their classes and therefore they will be more successful. With highly interactive classroom design, students will spend more time -- and again this will increase retention and success.
@s101crider,
Yes, indeed...I strongly concur. While it may seem superficial, the "look and feel" of the online course is what creates that first impression which is so important to human beings. Thus, this threshold element cannot be overlooked.
Rob
@s101crider Absolutely. The students must be excited and compelled to interact with the online learning environment, and important course information and concepts must be presented in such a manner that they are digestable and easily accessible.
Yes I completly agree that the look and feel is equally as in important. A student needs feel that they are aquiring thier education from a trusted source. If the look and feel of the environment is not professional and engaging, then the student will lose that trust in believing what they are learning is lagitament.
I do believe that the usability and also interface design and tools are crucial to successfully involving students. If the learning management system is cumbersome, difficult to use or navigate, students will often slow their pace and sometimes drop away. Certainly ample technical support and user/student training can help ease the learning curve but ongoing faculty support and tools are also crucial.
I absolutely eel the look and feel of a class matter. Making sure the class is welcoming and that students are comfortable communicating with one another is paramount fro their learning experience. As instructors we want to make sure our student understand the rules on engagement so that we create a foster a "safe' environment to share ideas.
Another key point to online courses is winning over the students. They enroll in courses for various reasons. These can include better paying jobs; college degree or certification or just personal satisfaction. Some students are dedicated to studies where others do the minimum. Online it is hard to make accurate decisions about why a student took a course of study or how much effort they will put forward. Nonverbal communication is missing from the equation.
Earning the students respect through being the Subject Matter Expert (SME) is only half the battle. Through carefully worded and caring posts you begin to develop a friendship and trust level. Sharing your life experiences along with theirs starts a bonding process for learning.
Of course the look and feel of the online course is as important as the knowledge and skills. Not trying to be seen as "difficult", but the little cartoon guy at the beginning of this course is exactly what I would NOT do in my online course. I saw cartoon characters used in training courses in a very large US company. Many employees thought the cartoon people were insulting. Young hourly employees don't necessarily learn by video games, cartoons, or other silly or childish means of instruction. Why would we put these things in educational courses?
Betty,
Enhancing learning is what we want to see! The end result!
Shelly Crider
Glenda,
Good point. If the look and feel does not feel good to us who know the way around an online course, can you imagine how it feels to someone who does not know?
Shelly Crider
I agree. The look and feel are part of what makes the material accessable and engaging to the learner, thus enhancing learning and rtention.
Maybe not as important, but a precursor to.
If the look and feel of the course does not seem reasonable to me, or if I cannot find what I am looking for, it will be difficult for me to gain the knowledge and skills the course is meant to impart.
TERRY,
Good point as communication is so important in an online course!
Shelly Crider
Pat,
So true! An organized class can really open up a student's thinking and allow for knowledge to just be soaked right up!
Shelly Crider
This is my first Online Course I but have instructed at ECPI University, Mountain State University and United States Army Force management School. This is a total of about eighteen years. All the courses were in a classroom setting.
The look and feel of Online is completely different from the classroom. I do have to say the administrative workload is greater than in the classroom. The student and instructor interaction is by email or class assignments. Instructing in Principles of Communication by Online prevents an evaluation of Facial Expressions, Body Movement and Non Verbal Communication.
The student has more freedom in Online because they can come and go as they please as long as they complete the assignments. The same can be said basically for the instructor.
The interaction of face to face is limited to Emails or Phone Calls. The instructor needs to be a good communicator on assignments and following up with students who submit subpar assignments.
A poorly designed classroom can get in the way of efficient learning. A well-designed classroom can facilitate learning and also make the experience more enjoyable.
Douglas,
How many times have we passed up a good deal in a store because the item didn't look good?
Shelly Crider
Douglas,
Good point!! Having students teach a topic is truly an amazing way to have them learn that topic.
Shelly Crider
Kimberly,
I was just sitting here thinking that I do the same thing! When I open a new online class, I play with all the tabs, pages and then I am ready to start!
Shelly Crider
