Structural Integrity and Navigation Simplicity is Essential
Whether it’s online or on-ground both structural integrity and navigation simplicity is essential. The lack of structural integrity in an online environment can create chaos for the online learner. It is therefore incumbent on the instructor to ensure that the course (content) is designed to meet the need of the students, which includes the student ability to learn and apply these new skills. Without some logical sequence in the course materials, students would be unable to grasp the information (during the learning process) that the instructor is trying to convey. As a result, with appropriate structural integrity, the instructor can provide the appropriate student evaluation that is necessary to measure the course outcomes and the quality of the course content.
Similarly, navigation simplicity is also essential in guiding the student through different areas of the course content. However, students--even for those who consider themselves “tech savvyâ€--should receive the appropriate training in the institution platform to ensure that they are familiar with and can locate the necessary course material/information. Inadequate training can lead to frustration for students and instructors who must spend unnecessary time teaching students how to navigate through the course materials.
In my online experience, I see navigation simplicity like you relative to an emphasis on student training....I would add that of course, simplicity can also be built-in...or not...:-), as a function of the technical design of the learning platform......and I have been associated with universities with rather sophisticated technology, lending to easy to navigate learning platforms......and, I've seen less sophisticated technology that inherently reduced navigation simplicity, and thus, had a sub-optimal impact on learning quality.
Bruce,
Great point that lack of structural integrity in an online environment can create chaos for the online learner. I agree that instructors should ensure that the course (content) is designed to meet the need of the students. Part of this check is to ensure course sequence. Sequencing refers to the arrangement of learning objectives (LOs) for a course into a logical teaching sequence. Example, instructional designers could use one method or a combination of methods to sequence the learning objectives in a logical teaching order. Such as lesson topics may be ordered in reverse chronological order, or from least critical to most critical. Always keep in mind that the best sequencing method is the one that works best for the students.
Great post, Bruce! Tutorials should be available for students to access and navigate various aspects of the learning platform. I also think there should be consistency in format from one course to another so the student doesn't have to waste time learning how to navigate each course s/he takes.
Bruce,
Students can create chaos with life itself. A good class full of good content is exactly what they need to achieve. Good post!
Shelly Crider
