It’s no secret that online learning can be a bit of a snooze-fest. Let’s face it, staring at a screen for hours on end is not everyone’s idea of fun. But just because your learners are Zoomed out, doesn’t mean it’s your fault. There are a few things you can do to help keep things interesting. When it comes to designing an effective online course, there are many factors to consider. So what these considerations?
Learners should be able to reason on what they know
Designing an effective online course is not only about what the instructor knows, but also about what the learners can learn and how they can learn it. This requires that instructors take into account how learners reason on the topics at hand. If learners are not able to reason on what they know, then the learning goals of the course are not being met.
In order to design an effective online course, it is important to think about the learning outcomes you want your learners to achieve. By informing learners of the learning outcomes at the beginning and end of each class, you can help them focus on what is important and make sure they are meeting the goals you have set for them.
In addition to setting clear learning objectives, your lesson plan should also include a variety of activities and assessments that will help learners reach those objectives. By thoughtfully planning each class, you can ensure that your learners are getting the most out of their education and achieving their goals.
Develop big-picture thinking
In order to design an effective online course, you need to be able to think about the big picture. This means understanding the overall goals and objectives of the course, and then designing each individual component with those in mind. It can be helpful to create a mind map or other visual representation of the course structure, which will help you to see how each element fits together. Once you have a clear idea of the bigger picture, you can start to fill in the details and plan out each lesson.
Remember that your learners will need time to process and absorb information, so don’t try to pack too much into each session. Allow for breaks, both mental and physical, and make sure that your material is presented in a way that is engaging and easy to follow.
Organise their learning
Organising their learning is one of the most important things that learners can do to be successful in school. By taking the time to create a system that works for them, they can make sure that they are able to keep track of all of their assignments and material.
There are a few different ways that learners can organise their learning. One way is to create a daily or weekly schedule. This can help them keep track of when they need to be working on each subject. Another way is to create a system for taking notes. This can help them keep track of what they have learned in each class and make it easier to review for tests. Whatever system learners choose, it is important that they find one that works for them and that they stick with it. By taking the time to organise their learning, they can set themselves up for success in school and in life.
Write measurable learning outcomes
When it comes to measuring the effectiveness of a course, learning outcomes are key. Learning outcomes are statements that describe what learners will be able to do upon completion of a course. They are specific, measurable, and achievable.
To write effective learning outcomes, start by thinking about the overall goal of the course. What do you want your learners to be able to do when they finish? Once you have the overall goal in mind, break it down into smaller, more specific objectives. Make sure each objective is something that can be measured. Once you have your objectives written out, take a look at each one and ask yourself if it is achievable. Can your learners realistically accomplish this objective within the time frame and with the resources available? If not, make adjustments until you have a set of learning outcomes that are realistic and achievable.
Provide feedback on learner achievement
When it comes to learner achievement, feedback is essential. Feedback provides learners with the ability to reflect on their own performance and improve for future assignments. It also allows instructors to identify areas where learners may need additional support.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when providing feedback. First, be specific. learners should know exactly what they did well and what areas need improvement. Second, be timely. Feedback should be given as soon after an assignment is completed as possible so that learners can incorporate it into their next project. Finally, be constructive. Critique should focus on the work itself, not the learner’s abilities or character.
When done right, feedback can be an invaluable tool for both learners and instructors alike.
Overcoming technophobic in online learning
Technophobic is the fear of technology. It can be hard to overcome this fear, but it is possible. Here are some tips to overcome learners’ technophobic:
- Start by breaking down the task into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, if you want your learners to create a blog post, break it down into smaller tasks like creating an account, choosing a theme, and adding content.
- Make sure to provide plenty of support and guidance along the way. This could include detailed instructions, video tutorials, or even one-on-one help from a teaching assistant or librarian.
- Use scaffolding techniques to gradually release responsibility to learners as they gain confidence and competence with the technology. For example, you might start by having learners write their drafts in a Google Doc that you share with them, then progress to having them submit their final drafts via email or an online form.
Use engaging interactive tools in teaching online learning
It’s important for educators to use engaging interactive tools when teaching online learning. With so many technological advances, there are a plethora of ways to make learning more fun and interactive for learners. Some popular tools include:
- Quizzes and polls: Quizzes and polls are a great way to gauge learner understanding and engagement. They can also be used as a form of assessment.
- Interactive videos: Videos are a great way to engage learners and provide them with information in an easily digestible format. Adding interactive elements, such as quizzes and questions, can help keep learners engaged and promote active learning.
- Online discussions: Online discussions are a great way for learners to interact with each other and share ideas. They can also be used to facilitate peer-to-peer learning.
Never use an online tool just because it exists or because you think it would be fun to use. Always evaluate whether a tool will actually improve the quality of your lesson plan before incorporating it into your design. When you’re designing an online course, it’s important to keep the needs of your students in mind at all times. That means thinking about how they’ll learn best and what will help them retain the information you’re teaching.
There are a lot of great tools out there that can be used to create engaging and effective online courses. But it’s important to remember that not every tool is right for every course or every student. It’s up to you to determine which tools will work best for your particular situation.
Conclusion
The future of learning is here, and it is up to us how we want to handle this technology. Online courses are becoming more and more popular, as they offer a flexible and convenient way to learn. But with this new technology comes new challenges. How can we design effective online course lesson plans that meet the needs of our students? With careful planning, we can ensure that our online courses are successful in helping our students learn.
In the next article we will cover SAMR framework. The SAMR model is a framework for evaluating the use of technology in the classroom. It was developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura in order to help educators understand how technology can be used to improve teaching and learning. The SAMR model has 4 levels: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition.