Margaret,
Glad you put these in question format to make others think about what they should be considering. Thanks for your input.
When authoring an online course the following three questions need to be considered:
1.How will content be delivered?
2.How will students receive the content?
3.How will students be assessed in their knowledge of the content?
If you can successfully answer these questions using interesting resources, engagement with forums and interactive assignments/quizzes, you will be thinking of positive end-results for the student-learner.
Kenneth,
We do have to start the learners where they are and help them learn more and more and more. Through effectively designed online courses and with efficient communication of the learning outcomes, students are more likely t succeed. Thanks for sharing.
Viktoria,
Nice list. Even with an LMS we do have to develop our online courses to ensure students have all they need and they can communicate and learn in an effective environment.
Thanks for your input.
I believe the three most important things to consider when developing an online course are driven by the question of "What do I want students to know and do?" that will meet the course learning objectives. Leading to this end would be the questions of 1) “How will content be delivered?â€; 2) “How will students be assessed in their knowledge of the content?â€; and 3) “What do students know?â€.
This development will also require follow up with continuous review of the delivery methods and assessment of their knowledge. Also key is to understand what the students already know so the online course will challenge the adult learners.
I am using an LMS system to teach the online courses, so I do not need to create my own course framework. If I would have to develop my own course framework, these would be the three most important things to consider:
1, what the students need to learn based on the curriculum
2, how I should deliver the knowledge and information to them, what form I should use
3, strong consistency in the format and design
Jacquilin,
Good questions. We do have to figure out the best way to deliver the content so the students can reach the set learning outcomes. Thanks for your input.
Consideration of the three questions
1. What do I want the students to do?
2. What do I want the students to know
3. How will I deliver the content
Heather,
Knowing where you want your students to get to and how to get them there is essential. Your provide the ideas to make this happen. Thanks.
I find the three broad things to address when authoring an online course are:
1. A clear understanding of the course objectives. What will the students learn?
2. How those objectives will be met. What tasks, exercises, or projects will successfully allow the students to meet those objectives?
3. What kind of skill/knowledge will the prospective students have coming in to the class?
If I could have a fourth element, it would have to be reliable resources. In an online environment, the students are expected to work independently, and excellent, reliable resources are a must for trouble shooting and problem solving!
Each of these elements open the door to provide the necessary details to make a successful learning environment for most types of learners, and most course subjects.
Patricia,
Right on. Navigation is important and the chunking of information is so necessary for students.
Thanks.
When creating a learning management System, the course framework must support the Course Learning Outcomes. The module layout should be consistent with nonverbal cues to aid the student in finding information. The assignment titles should be consistent with the assignment prompt. Reading assignments should be easily available. I liked the term “chunking†or creating smaller units of information. The instructor can also build a store of files and graphics to use in the course.
Sue,
Taking into consideration what the students need and how to deliver that to them is essential for an engaging online environment. Thanks.
Kelly,
Navigation in conjunction with the content and delivery of the content are essential. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
Thanks.
Anthony,
Teaching, tools, and assessment. These are essential components to creating an effective online environment. Thanks.
Samantha,
Love the words you have used. "Doable curriculum" and the key words in conjunction with providing the information. Nice job. Thanks.
Patricia,
Content and resources are essential. Thanks for your detailed list of things to consider. Nice job.
The three most important things to consider when authoring your own online course (in my opinion) are:
1. What do you expect students to be able to do?
2. What do you expect students to know?
3. How will students gain the necessary knowledge?
I believe these three things are very important to consider when authoring an online course.
1. Content- what do I want them to learn? Make sure all content is relevant to the course. The presentation of the content is also very important. (Text, video, audio, or a combination.)
2. The academic level of the students. It is important to have a consistent course framework throughout the program, but the material must work with their level.
3. Easy navigation. If the L.M.S. is difficult to navigate through, students will become frustrated and unmotivated.
When I author my own course outline, the three most important things I consider are as follows:
1) What do I want to teach in terms of learning objectives.
2) What tools can I use to deliver my study materials that is the most useful to my audience (i.e., students).
3) What measures will I use to provide ongoing feedback and assess the level of learning absorbed by each student. (i.e., are they on the right track to meet the learning objectives).
