Sean ,
Thank you for your comprehensive answer. You bring up very good points of interest. Relevancy, scaffolding and communication are key components. Thanks for your input.
Shari,
You are right...so many things to think about. I like the key questions you asked at the end of your post. Thanks for your input.
The three most important factors necessary when authoring an online course per my perspective are (1) venues of communication, (2) scaffolding, and (3) revision and course improvement. These three ideals with the exception to the first are typical concerns that are no different than a face to face learning environment. In fact, the venue of communication in many instances does require technological change to create excitement that is lacking in a face to face classroom setting. The venue of communication is very important within an online environment as these are tools to bring students to a common area for data sharing. To facilitate this accomplishment and improve its success requires an ease of access, and as well employment of exciting technology that draws students for participation.
Secondly, scaffolding is extremely important by design, as the lack of a face to face environment prohibits the typical quick verbal redirection that may ensure concepts are related, and defined within a supporting structure of relevancy. Relevancy can increase comprehension when the larger scope of understanding related concepts are minimized by short presentations as recommended within an online format that may have not been understood.
Lastly, as a result of the many components that are concurrently ongoing and separated by distance it is necessary to constantly make changes within course designs to achieve the best results. This effort is not as apparent within a face to face setting as students will typically come to know what to expect from instructors prior to enrollment in many instances. Thus, students commonly adapt to those expectations as a requirement to pass the course. An online format is different, where the ability to create an expectation before participation is an ever more demanding effort that requires dynamic change that incorporates the needs of a larger group.
There are so many things to consider in creating an online course; it is difficult to pick the three most important! The audience would be the top pick. Who are the people who will take the course, what do they already know, and what do you want them to learn are all important considerations of targeting an audience. I'm going to say method is the next most important. This is the how--are there videos, links to outside sources, recorded or live lectures, textbooks--the way the information gets to the student audience. The third thing would be why the course is important. What does this course do for the students and their learning journey? Does it help them for another course or another part of their life? What kinds of skills does it teach? I think sometimes this part gets lost in creation.
Erina ,
Knowing your audience and your content is essential. You can then deliver the content to the students in the best way. Thanks!
I think that you need to consider the audience and content. You also need to consider the difficulty/academic rigor. Finally, you need to consider how the course integrates with other courses
James,
We are all learning. The more I teach the more I learn. Your list gives us many things to think about. Thank you.
I know I have a lot to learn here, so I might have a different answer after finishing this unit. But it seems to me the following would always be important:
1. It is important to be very proficient in the course content. This, after all, is why the students have enrolled, so the course content has to be first rate.
2. Understand the students themselves. What is their level of background both in terms of educational level and practical experience. That will help guide the course development and instruction.
3. Be able to create units that are consistent and do not leave any room for confusion among students.
These are my preliminary thoughts, but naturally I will appreciate any other thoughts other folks might want to contribute.
Ola,
Excellent. Get the students engaged and communicate clearly and consistently. Thanks for your input.
The three most important things to consider are:
1- Provide interactive Media and content that will help the students learn the material.
2- Being the subject matter expert is a crucial point, as you want to communicate relevant content; and be able to provide examples and discussion points.
3- Clear communication for course assignments and grading rubric. Most students just want to know what assignments they need to complete. Providing clear content goes a long way.
Sandra,
When you actually create the course, you really have to think of a lot of things. This is a good experience.
Shannon,
The knowing how you want to evaluate the students should go back to the learning outcomes/objectives. Thanks for your list.
Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to create a couple of classes that taught me what it takes to produce an online learning environment. One important aspect is the learning objectives which of course will vary based on the program. The classes that I developed were for an accredited RHIT program which the national organization had very defined objectives that students had to learn during the 2 year program; therefore the classes had to be created to meet these objectives. Once the objectives are known the SME can determine an appropriate textbook, provide additional online learning tools including a lecture, tutorials, etc and then assignments which can assess what the students learned.
Another important aspect is the need for grading rubrics so that students know what is expected in regards to their input for an assignment and also allow the instructor(s) teaching the class to grade assignments with a defined grading tool. The third important thing to consider is consistency with how the classroom is set up from week to week for example: Objectives are defined, Assignments are clearly identified, and Discussion board requirements are consistently the same, due dates are the same and so on. This way students become familiar with the layout of the classroom, where to find things and what is expected from them.
Sandra Masten
The three most important things to consider when creating your own online course would be to know how much time the students have to complete the course, know how you want to evaluate the students and how you would like to engage the students in the course.
Ted,
You are right. There are so many considerations, but your list is very good. I like that you ask the questions. This helps instructors get the right answers.
There are many considerations in developing a course but here are three important considerations:
1) Does the course represent the reality of the field that it purports to teach. For example, does a marketing course reflect the real world of marketing?
2) Does the course provide a variety of assignments and approaches to meet the diverse needs of the student? Each learners absorbs information differently and different approaches can be used to reach different students.
3) Is the course easy to navigate and provide clear direction to the students. Is it user friendly?
Alan,
Right on. The course content, presentation of that content and knowledge base of the instructor area essential for helping the student grasp the material. Thanks for your input.
The presented material mentioned the importance of knowing the audience. This might involve what the audience needs to take away from the class as well as the skill level the audience has as they enter the class.
The framework and templates used are important too. Will the presentation be in a format from which the audience is comfortable learning.The right use of copy, audio, and visual is critical.
A third area is the knowledge base of the instructor as well as the material used and saved in the database.
Sandy & Bill,
I always provide the opportunity to get to know others. Some take advantage of it and some don't. It depends on which course I teach because in some courses I make it a mandate to develop a "home page" of sorts so that others can get to know their peers because they will later be working in groups. Thanks!
Andrew,
Right on! Keep up the good work!
Dr. Tena B. Crews
