James,
You are so true. Classes can be to text driven. We as instructors need to add real life to the course!
Shelly Crider
Deborah,
I like how you mentioned the audio components as not all computers are created equal!
Shelly Crider
Sheronda,
No matter the age, race or international culture!
Shelly Crider
I agree. Something that is visually pleasing and interactive will cause the learner to want to be involved in the site/activities. If you cannot get them to be actively engaged and want to be there as well as to see what is next, they will likely not learn as well. Enthusiasm for the course and the lessons will be very low.
I agree. It is necessary to draw the student to the lessons and material through the visuals and interactive tools as well as quality content just as you would do in a traditional class room. No one wants to sit through a boring lecture or reading of power points. Similarly no one wants to sit in front of a computer simply reading material.
I would disagree but add that the look and feel are quite important. I don't feel that these are equal in importance to content.
I replied to this question earlier in length but got an email I did not
I agree.
I would agree with this statement. I think that "look" is often given adequate attention, but not the "fee" of the course. I have taught online courses for a few online universities (and have created elearning courses for a Fortune 200 company). Too often I have seen courses where the activities are based directly upon what is in a textbook, and not on what happens in the real world. Theory is one thing, but the real world is often another thing. I think we need to look at elearning the same way a doctor goes through training. Textbooks and even the classroom can only provide theory and case studies, but interaction (such as discussion) should allow students to incorporate what they have seen in the real world -- which may be quite different from what is read in a textbook. Unfortunately, I have seen too many DQs and Assignments that focus too much on what is read in the textbook, and not enough on what may happen in the real world. And what is worse is when the course developer may not have accurate understanding (and/or experience) of/with the current topic, and the DQ is asked in a very vague or misleading way -- this can really kill the "feel" of the course. This is where the instructor may have to incorporate further guidance.
Thanks, Jim
I agree that the look and feel of an online course is important to the learning process. Students need to see the structure of the course and understand how to navigate easily on the first day. They cannot examine the content until there is a feeling of success in and feeling the classroom is easy to use.
Only after a student sees the course format and “look†as pleasing and easy to use can they begin reviewing the content. Also, the “look and feel†needs to address different learning styles and provides the visual and audio components.
The technology cannot seem to be overwhelming and help has to be easy to find. Students cannot feel getting around, understanding assignments, finding lectures, and so forth will be challenging.
Like the situation with poorly a written syllabus in a face to face class, the online class must have a easy to read and understand structure.
I agree because, every student should want to understand how to interact in an online class room setting.
Amy,
Functionality....I like it! This is a perfect example. I like your advertising background!
Shelly Crider
Scott,
I would imagine that you have experienced some pretty nasty interfaces in the past! Even Microsoft does not get it right 100% of the time!
Shelly Crider
James,
Yes students do like the communication/feedback. We as instructors need to make students feel they are in a legitimate class....as they are!
Shelly Crider
Gregory,
A great first impression cannot be redone! I agree with engaging our students starts with navigation.
Shelly Crider
As creative director working in advertising with a background in graphic design and art direction, I am very aware of how important "look and feel" is to everything from logos, to brands, to products and services, and more. Could an online course be considered both a product and service? If so, the look and feel are critical to engage students and make learning seamless. After all, isn't this just another example of how form needs to follow function? The look, feel and interface design need to provide complete functionality.
I agree that the look and feel is definitely as important as the online course that is designed to convey information to the students. In my 25+ years of working as a software developer and Web programmer, I can truly say that if your user interface is hard to use it will have a negative impact on the users. I prefer to spend as much time working on the look and feel as I do the actual programming because it is important to make it work correctly and look great in order to put the student at ease with learning in an online forum.
Isn't it also important to take advantage of all available new technologies? I believe it is. Some of the newer online course authoring tools are absolutely incredible.
Sue,
Thank you very much for your post. I feel that navigational simplicity is the key starting point. As you have mentioned, if the student does not see the information provided, it does not matter how exceptional it is.
Thanks
Jim
Shelly,
I particularly feel that interaction is the key to an on-line course. To me, it is important that the student receives as much interaction as possible. This could be in the form of Discussion boards, live chat sessions or email. Without this feedback, students may not engage in the higher levels of learning.
I also view navigational simplicity as a key. Without it, there is the possibility of a student becoming frustrated and giving up on the course. A student should not have to think when navigating the course. It should all come naturally. The more time that is used to learn how to navigate the classroom, the less time their is to engage in the higher learning activities of the course. I feel that the most well thought out course can fail if it is delivered in an ineffective platform.
Thanks
Jim
Hello,
Thanks for the opportunity to respond to this question. I definitely agree that the course setup (look and feel) is equally as important as the knowledge and skills it is designed to impart. Taken it even further, I think this also benefits the instructor. I feel more comfortable with presenting material when my classroom is well organized and specifically structured. I believe that providing an online environment that is easy to navigate is the first step to engaging our students. Often students can become frustrated if they can't "find" a document or "find" what is required of them. To me structural integrity (look and feel) of the classroom is integral in our student's learning experience.
Gregory Becoat
Detra,
Nobody really likes intimidation in any form. Another good reason to keep the look and feel comfortable.
Shelly Crider
