how to include variety in online course instructions

How do I organize my coursework?

Ask your department or colleagues for resources specific to your subject area. Sample syllabi, lessons and even course templates may be available to get you started. Taking the time to organize up front will save you lots of time later, so don’t skip this critical part of the process. Establish a timeframe and goals.

What instructional strategies are used in online courses?

The instructional strategies described below are widely used in online courses, as outlined by Carnegie Mellon and the Illinois Online Network (ION). Lecture is perhaps the most prevalent instructional strategy used in higher education—on campus and online.

How do I follow through on my online classes?

One of the easiest ways to ensure follow through is to remember that you are paying to take this online course, just as you would for a traditional, in-person class. You must “show up” if you’re going to get real value out of your class.

How do I create an online course structure?

While creating your online course structure, it’s essential to go ahead and outline each lesson—even if it’s only for your own benefit. First, make sure each lesson is in the proper module and that they are ordered the way you want them. Then, decide on a flow that each lesson will follow.

How to make a course interactive?

How many students have taken online courses?

How to import rubrics into Canvas?

What is Canvas MCCCD?

What is an OER?

Is online learning an alternative to traditional learning?

Can you teach an online course the first time?

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How do I make my online courses more interactive?

8 Tips for creating more interactive online learningIncorporate Active Learning. ... Combine different media types into engaging learning scenarios. ... Try running a cohort-based course. ... Incorporate live lessons. ... Microlearning. ... Use storytelling methods of teaching. ... Use Gamification. ... Pause for questions and answer live chats.

How do you structure an online course?

0:231:41How to Structure an Online Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you determine the starting and ending points organize your curriculum to take the student fromMoreOnce you determine the starting and ending points organize your curriculum to take the student from point a to point b in a logical sequence. Let them know when they hit milestones.

How do you write content for an online course?

How To Create Effective Online Courses: Web Writing TricksConsider Psychology. ... Include All Necessary Elements. ... Write Compelling Content For The Course. ... Consider Language And Visual Elements. ... Choose A Successful CTA. ... Emphasize The Value Of Your Course. ... Make Learners Want To Attend Your Course.

What are online instructional strategies?

Learning Contracts. Learning contracts connect educational needs to individual student needs. ... Lecture. The lecture is one of the most frequently used instructional methods. ... Discussion. ... Self-Directed Learning. ... Mentorship. ... Small Group Work. ... Projects. ... Collaborative Learning.More items...

What are the key factors for making an online course effective?

Previous PPIC research has identified five key factors to help ensure student success in online programs:Use a systems approach to course design. ... Provide professional development. ... Set student expectations. ... Create community. ... Take advantage of the online environment.

What is included in an online course?

A good online course is interactive. Courses are much more than placeholders for students to access information. A good online course provides information such as readings or lecture videos, but also involves interactions between professor and students and between students and students.

What should be included in a course description?

Your description should focus upon the content of the course or the learner, not upon the course itself or you as the teacher. To attract learners, the description should emphasize the benefits to the learner coming from either the results of attending the course or from the value of the subject matter itself.

How do you write course contents?

A course outline should include the following sections:Course Name, Number, Credits and Description.Prerequisites/Co-requisites.Instructors Name, Contact Info and Bio.Course Schedule.Learning Outcomes.Content Breakdown by Session.Instructional Methods Used.Course Evaluation Process, Policies and Grading Scale.More items...•

What is content writing example?

Content writing is the fine-crafted art and structural science of making content for digital media. The different types of content writing examples on the digital front include blogs, scriptwriting for videos, emailers, social media posts, whitepapers, etc. All of these are important for the digital growth of a brand.

How do you provide differentiated instruction?

How to Implement Differentiated InstructionOffer students options to choose from in assignments or lesson plans.Provide multiple texts and types of learning materials.Utilize a variety of personalized learning methods and student assessments.Customize teaching to suit multiple forms of intelligence.

What is the best teaching style for online teaching?

Top 10 Online Teaching Strategies to UseAdapt to the Tech of your e-learning Platform. ... Experiment With Graphic Elements. ... Create Space for Individualized Feedback. ... Give Specific Instructions. ... Plan Your Classes in Advance. ... Work on Virtual Awareness. ... Use breakout Groups and Focus on Group Learning. ... Keep it Simple And Flexible.More items...•

What can teachers do to make online classes better?

5 things teachers can do to improve online teaching.Utilize a variety of technology options. ... Connect to students individually. ... Prepare to work with parents. ... Consider new learning methods. ... Provide collaboration and socialization opportunities.

What makes a good online course?

A good online course requires a few things to make it worth the investment of time, effort, and money people are willing to invest in themselves an...

How long should a course outline be?

A course outline is a really important component of any prospective online course and it needs to fulfill a few different and important roles.An ou...

What is the difference between a course outline and a syllabus?

These are both very important but very different tools with quite distinct purposes, and they certainly shouldn’t be used interchangeably.The outli...

What should a course outline contain?

A course outline should contain several things. Ideally, it will include some basic information about the tutor such as name, contact information,...

18 Amazing Outline Templates to use in Course Design [3 Downloadables]

3 Orientation Courses. An orientation course provides an overview of all the courses you offer. If you are offering many courses in your Academy, create an orientation course to build student engagement and interest with the course contents and let them get acquainted with the goals of your Academy.

Free Training Templates & Examples

Choose from a vast library of beautifully crafted online training templates to create highly engaging courses.These templates are built using the latest trends in aesthetic design and typography. Give your course a personalized touch by adding your brand logos and images.

10 Steps To Creating A Wildly Successful Online Course

Gone are the days when you could just ‘promise’ your prospects that you are worth investing in – now you have to PROVE it. And there is no better way of demonstrating your expertise than by creating an online course to sell.. By teaching your topic, you are leaving no shadow of a doubt that you know what you’re talking about, you’re good at what you do, and that you are an expert in ...

How to make a course interactive?

Plan for interaction! Make sure your course is rich in opportunities for students to engage with the content, with you and with each other. This means creating diverse activities like discussions, group work, case studies and collaborative problem-solving. Also, be sure to select resources that are relevant and present a variety of viewpoints and meet different learning styles. Consider multimedia, periodicals, web resources, etc.

How many students have taken online courses?

According to a 10 year study conducted by the Online Learning Consortium, 6.7 million students have taken at least one online course and roughly thirty-two percent of all higher-education students now take at least one online course during their educational career. And these numbers continue to rise.

How to import rubrics into Canvas?

Step 2: Go to the course you want to import the rubrics into and access the settings from the course navigation . Step 3: Select the “Import Content into this Course” option from the right-side menu. Step 4: From the Content Type menu select “Canvas Course Export Package”.

What is Canvas MCCCD?

Canvas is our Learning Management System (LMS) for MCCCD. View courses from a variety of colleges that use our LMS Canvas in the Canvas Catalog . For even more course samples using Canvas explore by feature.

What is an OER?

Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely accessible, open licensed, teaching and learning materials. There are worldwide repositories for the sharing and use of OER. Materials are available in almost any subject area and can include a single image, assignment or activity OR a full textbook and even an entire course.

Is online learning an alternative to traditional learning?

Online education is not an “alternative” to traditional classroom learning.

Can you teach an online course the first time?

Relax! You won’t be creating the perfect online course, at least not the first time you teach it. It takes teaching an online course a few semesters to improve and enhance it. Continue to experiment with new approaches, refining your teaching according to your learning objectives and the feedback of your students.

What are the different formats for online courses?

Choose An Online Course Format. There are three main formats that you could use as a basis for your online course structure: 1) A step by step program. 2) A week by week program. 3) A reference course.

What is course outline?

A course outline is a really important component of any prospective online course and it needs to fulfill a few different and important roles. An outline, as its name suggests, needs to be brief, and give your students all the relevant information about what your course provides without any filler at all.

How many modules should I use for a short course?

For a short entry-level course, you probably want to focus on just 3-5 key steps or modules that will make up the backbone of your course. Each module or step will then contain a number of lessons within it that teach the actual content.

Why is it important to make an online course outline?

Structuring your online course content and making an online course outline is a vital step in creating an online course. It helps you focus on the most important content for your course, and creates a lot of clarity for when you come to the follow up step of actually recording and making it.

What is the key to a great online course?

the course can produce a clear outcome that they desire. 2) The key to a great online course is: that it teaches 'one big outcome' or transformation. has a specific audience in mind. Keep these points at the top of your thoughts as you outline your course structure.

What makes an online course good?

A good online course requires a few things to make it worth the investment of time, effort, and money people are willing to invest in themselves and improving their skills. Ultimately, an online course needs to provide value to the student and this comes in a variety of forms.

How to get to where you are today?

1) start with the main outcome of the course and work your way backwards through the steps needed to get there. or if you prefer: 2) imagine your former self before you gained the knowledge you now have, and then plot out the key steps you have taken to get to where you are today.

How to use variety in the classroom?

Here are 14 ways to use variety in your classroom: 1. CREATE A BALANCE. Structure your lessons with a balance of listening and activity. Young people can listen effectively for about half their age in minutes e.g. if they are 12 they can listen for 6 minutes at one time. 2.

How to enhance learning?

INCORPORATE MOVEMENT. No one learns best by sitting at a desk or on the floor for long periods of time. Use movement to underscore the learning. Adding movements to learning can enhance and embed the learning.

How to use music in a lesson?

USE MUSIC. It can signal the end of a task, transition time or pack up time. Use music as part of your lessons…as a break, as a movement, to lift the mood or to give students thinking time. Music has the power to change feelings- use it to provide a background to your activities.

What is the difference between online and classroom instruction?

The differences between online and classroom instruction go beyond medium alone. How instructors deliver information, interact with students, and assess learning is much different in a virtual learning environment. Online education demands more independence, so students must be able to learn at least some of the material when professors are ...

What can a professor do to transition from classroom to online?

They can confer with online teaching veterans on campus or through online groups, or attend regional and national conferences centered on best online teaching practices and learning management platforms. Professors can also refer to digital publications like the Online Learning Journal to review relevant studies, trends, and case studies.

What is online degree?

Online degree programs are designed to convey the same knowledge and skills as campus-based programs, so professors often adapt the same instructional methods to the online teaching environment. In some cases, delivery is virtually the only notable difference; in others, the technology fundamentally changes or enriches the learning experience. Dr. Aldridge discussed the relationship between online teaching methods and student learning experiences during an interview with OnlineEducation.com.

Why do we use lectures?

Just as they would in a classroom, many online professors use lectures to transmit information, promote comprehension, and spark students’ interests. Learning management systems (LMSes) typically allow instructors to record lectures, deliver them live, or both. However, it is helpful to keep in mind that lectures place students in a passive role, which could negatively impact student engagement in the online learning environment. Both CSN and the ION suggest online lectures are most beneficial when used in conjunction with more active instructional strategies.

What is asynchronous online learning?

Online courses that allow students to view lectures, access materials, and collaborate with teachers and peers on their own schedule are called asynchronous courses. Lectures might be pre-recorded or presented on a program like Microsoft PowerPoint, perhaps with instructor voice-over. These delivery methods allow students to review and re-review lessons as necessary. These options could be quite helpful to students who cannot attend scheduled sessions, hope to minimize live group projects or discussions, or want to work through lessons at their own pace.

Do you have to report to class online?

One of the features that makes online degree programs unique from campus-based programs is that students do not necessarily have to report to class during scheduled sessions, but some learners still prefer live, interactive courses that are simply more accessible.

Do case studies require much preparation?

According to CSN, case studies work well in online courses and do not require much preparation. Instructors can search OER sites and databases to find case studies prepared by other online professors.

Why is it important to divide an online course into parts?

Designing an online course can be an overwhelming process, which is why it’s helpful to divide it up into parts. Your students will also be able to follow your course more easily if it’s broken down into a few digestible components.

What is the best format for online courses?

Video. This format is becoming increasingly popular with online course creators, as it allows the instructor to communicate directly to students in a personable, relatable way. Video is best for demonstrating skills and giving easily-digestible presentations.

Why do we need an outline?

An outline helps you keep your ideas organized when you are designing a course. It enables you to group together related topics, not to mention see the order in which topics need to be addressed. Starting with an outline helps you create the course more efficiently.

What is course outline?

A course outline is one of the most crucial elements you can create for your online class. It’s the blueprint showing the foundational structure and design for ...

How many lessons are in a module?

While modules should have the same basic structure, they don’t need to have the same number of lessons. One module may have only three lessons, while another module may have ten —and that’s perfectly fine! 4.

Why do people take online classes in person?

This is mostly because in-person classes rely on guidance from professors that allows for a more free-flowing structure. An online course, on the other hand, lends itself to easy confusion on the students’ part if not carefully structured.

4 Online Syllabus

Your online syllabus helps establish a framework for the rest of your course. Below and on subsequent pages you will find ideas about content and suggested wording for standard sections of your syllabus.

Information design

In an online environment, the syllabus should be readily available and designed for periodic consultation, ensuring that students have quick and easy access to the information they need.

How to get value out of online classes?

2. Hold yourself accountable. Set goals at the beginning of the semester, and check in with yourself weekly.

What is online class?

Most online courses are built around the concept of collaboration, with professors and instructors actively encouraging that students work together to complete assignments and discuss lessons.

Is online class good?

Online classes are an excellent option to help you earn that degree you need to fulfill your goals. Though they come with their own unique challenges, following the advice above can help you be successful even in the most chaotic of times.

Do students need anonymity to learn online?

While many students enter online learning with the expectation that they'll have some level of anonymity in their classes, be assured that having an active presence in your courses will make a big difference not only in your level of learning, but also in the overall experience.

Do you need to include your home address in a class?

Providing your city is fine, no need to include details such as your home address.

How to make a course interactive?

Plan for interaction! Make sure your course is rich in opportunities for students to engage with the content, with you and with each other. This means creating diverse activities like discussions, group work, case studies and collaborative problem-solving. Also, be sure to select resources that are relevant and present a variety of viewpoints and meet different learning styles. Consider multimedia, periodicals, web resources, etc.

How many students have taken online courses?

According to a 10 year study conducted by the Online Learning Consortium, 6.7 million students have taken at least one online course and roughly thirty-two percent of all higher-education students now take at least one online course during their educational career. And these numbers continue to rise.

How to import rubrics into Canvas?

Step 2: Go to the course you want to import the rubrics into and access the settings from the course navigation . Step 3: Select the “Import Content into this Course” option from the right-side menu. Step 4: From the Content Type menu select “Canvas Course Export Package”.

What is Canvas MCCCD?

Canvas is our Learning Management System (LMS) for MCCCD. View courses from a variety of colleges that use our LMS Canvas in the Canvas Catalog . For even more course samples using Canvas explore by feature.

What is an OER?

Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely accessible, open licensed, teaching and learning materials. There are worldwide repositories for the sharing and use of OER. Materials are available in almost any subject area and can include a single image, assignment or activity OR a full textbook and even an entire course.

Is online learning an alternative to traditional learning?

Online education is not an “alternative” to traditional classroom learning.

Can you teach an online course the first time?

Relax! You won’t be creating the perfect online course, at least not the first time you teach it. It takes teaching an online course a few semesters to improve and enhance it. Continue to experiment with new approaches, refining your teaching according to your learning objectives and the feedback of your students.

Learning Contracts

Lecture

Discussion

Self-Directed Learning

Mentorship

Small Group Work

Projects

Collaborative Learning

• Collaborative learning is the process of getting two or more students to work together to learn. Compose small groups’ participants of differing ability levels and use a variety of learning activities to master material initially developed by an instructor, or construct knowledge on substantive issues. Each member of the team is responsible for lea...

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Case Study

Forum