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.
Sonia,
Good point. If a student is spending 30 minutes trying to figure out where to go, and only 5 minutes on content, knowledge will not be transferred.
Shelly Crider
I fully agree. Taking an online course can be vey intimidating. Everything about the look and feel should be simple and easy to use. Things should be structured in a way as to not confuse and or discourage a student. This is just as important as the knowledge and skills that are being taught, because if the student can not use or does not feel comfortable using the online course material, sustainable knowledge and skills on the subject being taught will not be achieved.
I fully agree. Taking an online course can be vey intimidating. Everything about the look and feel should be simple and easy to use. Things should be structured in a way as to not confuse and or discourage a student. This is just as important as the knowledge and skills that are being taught, because if the student can not use or does not feel comfortable using the online course material, sustainable knowledge and skills on the subject being taught will not be achieved.
Angela,
I would have to say that if I was looking at a class that was unappealing, I am not so sure how long I would continue to read!
Shelly Crider
Rudolph,
Oh so true. We as instructors must make sure the students are learning what they need to learn to be successful in the workforce.
Shelly Crider
I agree with this. If you present an online course that is blank and not welcoming, I think students will not be as engaged. If an online course has colourful and interactive tools to engage students, they will be more likely to interact and want to continue with a course. Online classes need to make students feel welcome since there is no face to face interaction. I also believe students benefit when there is an open and active classroom discussion.
I agree. If the student is not confronted with an online course that features structural integrity, navigational simplicty, and intellectural interaction, he/she will be less likely to learn the knowledge and skills it is designed to impart.
Christen,
If it is not friendly, it is scary.....pure and simple!
Shelly Crider
Jason,
I love that!!! It is presentation! Not just what something looks like, but the tone of the presentation.
Shelly Crider
Students have so much experience with online environments that are easy to use, whether you are talking about FaceBook, Amazon or their online University. Providing them with a "look and feel" that is positive and engaging is therefore essential. Because they are used to quick and easy web usage, making it difficult or confusing will quickly turn them off. In addition, students who are NOT tech savvy need interfaces that look "friendly" or they may get scared and/or resistant.
Presentation, presentation, presentation.
To grab the student's attention from to first moment is very important. That moment will define their attitude for the rest of their time with you as an instructor. Without a desire and even an excitement for a subject, the human brain turns off most of the rest of the discussion.
For a student to commit to take on the rest of the content the feel of the thing must grab their attention immediately, or they may never really progress into the subject matter with a whole-heart.
And of course experience is half the meat of true knowledge.
David,
We definitely want knowledge at the front of our platform. How we get the knowledge transferred to the student is up to the instructor. Some will emphasize look and feel, others go right for content. This is not any different than in the traditional setting where an instructor stands up in front of class to lecture.
Shelly Crider
Generally speaking it is necessary to have a professional course delivery system. This would interpret to power point presentations and video clips when appropriate. However, I struggle with the "look and feel" reference since this seems to detract from the more important content. I would not put knowledge and skill on equal footing to the "look and feel". I may be reading into the word choice but there are only so many options available to improve the look and feel of a course and I am not certain if increased focus on this is an optimal use of time.
Teresa,
These are good points. Body language is very important in the classroom. You can actully tell from a note from the students how they are feeling.
Shelly Crider
Jesse,
If a student is paying money, they ought to be receiving a decent education.
Shelly Crider
Edwin,
I like having the checklist there as well. This helps teach organization to the students.
Shelly Crider
Lisa,
A personal welcome must be in each and every class, otherwise, students feel they are in a shell.
Shelly Crider
I agree. The interaction with students must be visually stimulating as well as functionally easy for the student to navigate. If the interface is bland and unappealing the student won't pay attention and will not focus on the information or the education experience.
David Pittman
I'm just entering the nuts and bolts of online instruction. I know from experience in the classroom the difference the look and feel of a course can make to imparting knowledge and skills. Given that we don't have the body language to tap into, the more means that are used to deliver the content, the better. These elements of a course would also respect the various learning styles of online learners which would increase success for the students (and instructors).
