Kim,
Good point. We have to know (and our students have to know) what we are going to achieve before we get started. You should try to meet students's needs within the course.
Thanks.
I agree. Objective is important. As is comprehenshion. Navigation is so important. As if they get frustrated trying to navigate the page you may lost them before they even start.
I feel like the following is the most important.
Outline of what is required in the course.
Make the site easy to use and access and find your way around - to ease frustrations.
Find a way to assess each student to see if they are grasping the knowledge.
I agree with your post. I think that the objectives are first and foremost and then the others follow. Since you cannot build a course to suit every student you just have to try your best.
Tina,
Thank you for your input and concise list. You are right on target. Course outcomes, prior knowledge/background (which you can obtain more information from students in one of the first class meetings), and collaboration are important.
It's important for students to understand the course outcomes and how projects/assignments relate to the outcomes. Nice job.
When authoring an online course, I believe the three most important things to consider are:
1. The course objectives given by the university.
2. The prior knowledge base and background of the students.
3. Collaboration with others who have or will teach the course.
Jim,
Thanks for your input. Course integrity is very important and thanks for explaining what you mean so clearly.
Engaging students and challenging them are skills teachers develop over time. Nice job.
To ensure the course integrity. By that I mean to arrange assignments that challenge each student, to engage each student with a good question and answer lecture series, to ensure student integrity with a solid final exam that will ensure that the student understands the purpose and direction of the course.
Emmanuel,
Thank you for your input. You are correct in that each course may be different and there will be different priorities. However, the three you listed are very important.
Communication with students is essential and providing feedbck that is meaningful and timely is also important. I'm thrilled you mentioned matching the assessment and course objectives. Excellent.
Nice job.
The three most important things to consider when authoring an online course would vary in order of importance depending on the nature of the course being taught. Feedback Method, modes of communication and matching assessment with the course objectives are definitely three big players in online course authoring.
Robert,
You are right on track. The objectives/learning outcomes are essential. They must be communicated to the students through the syllabus, rubrics and any way you can. Knowing your students are different an may learn or need information in a variety of ways helps you provide more meaningful feedback as well.
Nice job.
Clear and measurable objectives.
An alternate or flexible approach recognizing that not all students will be the same.
A feedback mechanism for the learners to provide feedback to assess your direction to insure all learning objectives are accomplished.
Robert,
Thanks for your input Even though you don't develop the courses yourself, it's a good to think about good course design as you develop ways to interact and communicate with your students. You are correct in thinking about the framework, what the students know and how to achieve the course objectives.
Nice job.
I do not author online courses - they are all produced by a centralized course development group. However if I did develop courseware, I would begin with the desired course layout or framework (template), the course topic content tailored to the level of the student's past knowledge and level of comprehension or experience and finally I would "test-bed" the course prior to production release to ensure that it is clear, intuitive, credible and successful in achieving the terminal course objectives as outlined in the course syllabus which would be the roadmap for the course layout.
Esther,
These are definitely three important things to know. Knowing where the students are "coming from" and how they learn are essential in providing content to them in a meaningful way.
Time committments and workloads are important to keep in check as well. Thanks for your input.
3 THINGS TO KNOW:
Identify learning styles of students
Identify what they need to learn
Be aware of time and workloads
Peter,
I like the way you are getting feedback from your students. About three times each semester I ask my students what they want me to stop doing, what they want me to start doing and what they want me to continue to do. Stop, Start, Continue. This is a great way to understand the online structure/class from their point of view and understand what you are doing well and what you can improve upon.
It seems that you have a good communication plan as well. Keep up the good work.
Thanks.
I believe that the most important things to consider are:
1. course objectives otherwise we cannot develop a class
2. students profile in order to potentially assess the best delivery method
3. class content in order to identify the primary information to achieve the class goals.
The three main things to consider are:
1. the goal to achieve
2. the delivery method
3. the student population
Without a specific goal, it is difficult to define activities aiming to its achievement.
The delivery methods can quite different but should focus on enhancing the student's interest and learning progress.
The student population in regards to the way they assimilate the information is important as it will allow the instructor to find the most appropriate delivery method.
Hi Dr. Crews,
I have never authored an online course but I have taught many. The constant feedback that I personally get from my students that seem to matter the most is as follows:
1. I clearly review each weeks assignments and let the students know what my expectations are. While reviewing the projects, I can incorporate the lessons that I want them to take home from that particular chapter.
2. While teaching live, I encourage my students to interrupt me and ask questions if they are confused. Too many times I receive comments that other instructors teach straight through and never take on live questions. I have never understood that method of operation.
3. Respond quickly to their follow-up emails. Give clear answers and let them know that your available for further questions if they still need your assistance.
I feel that too many times instructors act more like a robot than an actual educator. On-line teaching is tough enough for the students to grasp the information. We shouldn't hide behind a monitor and be so cold and rigid.
That's all I have. Thanks, Peter
