With around 6 million learners across the globe enrolled in an online higher-education course and 85% concluding that online learning is the same or better than a traditional classroom experience, digital learning shows no signs of slowing down in the higher education sphere (Educations.com). But not all online learning programs are created equally, and learners are becoming increasingly aware of the differences between high and low quality experiences. Distinctions between those made to a high standard and those that aren’t are clear to learners taking the course.
So, to help you learn how to create an online program of a high standard, our digital learning experts have compiled their top tips for developing a great online learning experience.
1. Establish clear learning goals
When first considering how to create an online course or program, ascertain the key goals you would like your learners to reach when completing it. Establishing clear learning objectives for your program and all its modules helps ensure that it is developed with these in mind, which in turn means that every step in the program is relevant and on point. To figure out what the learning goals may be, consider the following:
- Is your digital learning program fully online or blended with in-person learning?
Why is this important? It helps to know whether the online components will be 100% responsible for getting your learners to reach the learning goals or if it will be supported with other teaching methods. - What type of program is it? What type of learner is likely to take it?
Why is this important? It helps to determine which activities and other interactive elements will be most appropriate and effective for your learners.
insendi's activity suite
2. Be as engaging as possible
Another key tip when thinking about how to create an online program is to design it to be as engaging as possible. After concluding what type of learner is likely to be taking your program, you can then decide on the best ways to make the experience engaging for them. A good digital learning platform or online course platform should offer you a variety of options and features to increase student engagement and enjoyment. These could include:
- Interactive and engaging multimedia content for teaching purposes, such as videos and simulations to accompany text and transcripts.
- Interactive assessments, such as quizzes, to increase inclusivity for different learner types and get a more well-rounded view on learners’ strengths and weaknesses.
- Gamification, where appropriate.
- Peer-to-peer interactions, such as networking and virtual teamwork projects (especially those that mirror real-world business scenarios) to increase collaborative learning and keep students accountable and on track.
In addition to these interactive features, you should also ensure that you consider how to create your online course or program so that it is well structured and progresses logically, builds on previous concepts and skills, and mixes theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Making sure your program has a responsive design is also critical - the modules need to be optimised for various devices and provide a seamless experience on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
3. Improve and update continuously
Continuous improvement is important for digital learning programs. After all, you don’t want the time and effort put into the course to go to waste! One of the benefits of using a digital learning platform is that it’s quick and easy to edit and update programs. Things to bear in mind when thinking how to create, improve and update your online course include:
- Integrating up-to-date industry trends to showcase the practical relevance of the concepts being taught and instil real-world relevance into your program.
- Designing the program to be adaptable to changes in disciplines and professional fields , ensuring its ongoing relevance for learners.
- Gathering feedback from students and instructors on a regular basis to refine and enhance the program over time.
- Reviewing and updating old content on a regular basis to carry out quality, accuracy, and relevancy assurance.
Whether you’re a seasoned digital program designer or new to online instruction, keep these three tips in mind when using an online course platform to create a course or program so that your modules always imparts knowledge and ensures a rich learning experience.