how to make an online course readable

by Jaime Kertzmann 9 min read

Use your preferred search engine to find available course outlines or ask other teachers you know that have taught the course. Make sure that material you find online isn’t licensed or you’ll need to get permission to use it. If you aren’t sure if content is licensed, play it safe and ask anyway.

How to Create Great Online Content
  1. Use short paragraphs to break up the text. ...
  2. Use short sentences. ...
  3. Vary sentence length. ...
  4. Use lists or bullet points (like these) to structure your content (where it makes sense), and improve readability.
  5. Break up the text with section headings.

Full Answer

How to create an online course for free?

6. Make sure text is readable. Choose a sans serif font such as Arial or Helvetica for your text. These fonts are easier to read for most people but especially for those with low vision. Make sure font sizes are large enough to read comfortably. Avoid …

How can I improve the readability of my course materials?

Should I create an online course on a subject I know?

Where can I find good resources to learn a new course?

How do I make an online course accessible?

Key takeaways for creating accessible online classes Use appropriate font colors, types, and sizes. Any non-text course elements (e.g. audio, video, images) should have a text alternative such as captions, transcripts, and descriptions. Offer online class content in various ways (video, audio, text).May 10, 2021

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

What Makes a Successful Online Learner?Persistence. Persistence is perhaps the biggest key to success in online learning. ... Effective Time-Management Skills. ... Effective and Appropriate Communication Skills. ... Basic Technical Skills. ... Reading and Writing Skills. ... Motivation and Independence. ... A Good Study Environment.

How do you treat an online course like a real course?

Tips for Taking Online ClassesTreat an online course like a “real” course. ... Hold yourself accountable. ... Practice time management. ... Create a regular study space and stay organized. ... Eliminate distractions. ... Figure Out How You Learn Best. ... Actively participate. ... Leverage your network.Mar 26, 2020

How do you structure an online course?

How to Structure Your Online Course?Group Similar Ideas into Modules.A progressive flow that depends on the order.A collection of tips – not dependent on order.Select Type of Content.Organize Online Course by Choosing a Format.Providing Supportive Content to Students.Consistency is Important.Add a Link for Discussions.More items...•Dec 2, 2020

How do you help students struggle with online learning?

10 Tips for Supporting Students Struggling with Online LearningLay out expectations and check in regularly. ... Be proactive. ... Encourage engagement. ... Develop your online presence. ... Reduce tech overload. ... Provide scaffolding. ... Be flexible and offer options. ... Give students a lifeline.More items...•Nov 23, 2020

How can the quality of online classes be improved?

Use the chat function for students to respond to questions. Use physical whiteboards for students to show their thinking. Allow students to share their screen to showcase their work and explain how they solved a problem. Use virtual whiteboards for increased engagement.Jan 14, 2021

How can I focus on online classes?

7 tips on staying focused at homeMaintain a consistent schedule. ... Make a daily checklist. ... Set up a comfortable workspace. ... Minimize distractions. ... Remember to take breaks. ... Find online tutors and assistance. ... Communicate with your professor (and also your peers).May 3, 2021

What should students know before enrolling in an online course?

7 Facts To Bear In Mind Before Enrolling In An Online CourseOnline Courses Are Taught By Real Professors. ... Easier On The Pockets. ... Transfer Of Credit Facility. ... Online Courses Require Exceptional Time Management. ... Flexibility and Convenience. ... Interaction And Collaboration Opportunities. ... Proctored Exams.Apr 22, 2018

How do students communicate or interact during online class?

Methods you will use to communicate with your online students such as email, announcements, messages, podcast, video messages, video conferencing or even phone calls.

What is the most important part of creating an online course?

One of the most important components of creating an online course is setting a learning goal for the course . However, there’s more to it. Every online course consists of various sections, and each individual section also needs to have a clear learning goal.

How to make an online course more engaging?

An easy way to make online courses more engaging is to stimulate the student visually. This means pictures and videos. The simplest method of using picture and videos in an online course would be constructing your online class more like a PowerPoint presentation:

What is the target audience of an online course?

The target audience is the group of people to whom you are writing your course.

What does it mean to get started teaching?

Which means you need to get your knowledge together.

Is teaching more than imparting knowledge?

Remember, teaching is more than just imparting knowledge. Never in human history has so much knowledge been so accessible to anyone with such a low barrier for entry. Just on your phone, you can bring up a wealth of information about Nuclear Physics with just a few keystrokes. Fifty years ago, you’d have to break out an encyclopedia or a book dedicated to the subject, and it’d be just as much work to get another point of view on the same topic.

Is it easier to drop out of online courses?

The thing with online courses is that it’s a lot easier to drop out of them: you just stop, and there’s no consequences at all, nothing to bite you for not completing. This understandably damages completion rates. A study examining sixteen online courses offered by the University of Pennsylvania revealed that the average completion rate was 4%.

Is it a waste of time to create an online course?

It’s crucial that you decide on a specific course subject in the beginning phase of creating your online course. Be as specific as possible.

How many types of online courses are there?

Eighteen types of Online Courses. Before you start creating an online course, it is good for you to know what type of course it is you want to create. We have researched several online courses and concluded to specific activity patterns, each of which correlates to a particular course type.

What is an academic course?

Academic courses are courses with a traditional academic structure followed by universities. Each section usually consists of an introduction to the course, where objectives are discussed, a short test to assess pre-existing knowledge, and multiple lectures.

What is a presell course?

Presell courses serve as a storefront of an upcoming course. They can rapidly validate a course idea and start building an email list of your potential students before officially releasing a course.

How much will the elearning market be in 2025?

The whole elearning market is expected to exceed $300 Billion by 2025, and that includes both individuals and corporations spending more and more into online learning. There has never been a better time to join the growing industry of eLearning. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Who is Nick Malekos?

Nick Malekos is a Senior Digital Marketer in LearnWorlds. He is a results based and well-rounded Digital Marketer with years of experience in the education industry, writer and digital literacy trainer.

What is a mini course?

Mini-courses are short to consume summaries (teasers) of a full-sized course. Like presell and orientation courses, they serve as teasers that make students enroll in a course. However, in contrast to the other two categories, Mini-courses provide real educational value: A full summary of what will be taught in the full-sized course .

What is a demonstration course?

Demonstration courses consist of a series of videos where an instructor demonstrates specific skills to students online. Workshop courses usually fall in arts & crafts, painting, sewing, fitness, content creation, anything that shows the instructor demonstrating something new that students try to imitate through observation.

Why is online learning so good?

When students are required to be at their computer at specific times to participate in class discussions, the convenience of online learning is reduced .

Why are images important in online courses?

When used effectively, images can greatly improve the experience of students in an online course. Images help tell the story you want to tell and may help messages stick with the learner longer. For a person who does not see the images, though, it is important to provide the information th0se students are missing.

What is universal design?

Implement ing the principles of universal design in online learning means anticipating the diversity of students that may enroll in your course and planning accordingly. Designing a course with principles of universal design in mind is an ongoing and creative process. One does not achieve the level of usability aspired to with a simple checklist, but with an open mind and a commitment to making design and inclusion a priority.

Why is chat used in a class?

Because of the many barriers that the chat tool presents, it is often recommended that it be used as an optional tool only. Acceptable uses might be using chat as a way for students to access a professor during office hours or as a method for students to work together on a project—as long as alternatives are available such as phone, discussion board, or email.

What is access statement?

A well-crafted access statement communicates your level of commitment to designing the course in a way that is inclusive and welcoming to all students—including those with disabilities—and provides guidance for students who encounter barriers.

Is a PDF file accessible?

PDF files are only as accessible as the document from which they were created. Following the instructions above and creating an accessible MS Word document is the best place to begin.

Why do we use headings?

Use headings to provide structure. People often make the mistake of creating headings by simply applying sizes, color, bold or italics. While this makes the document appear to have structure, there is not structure when someone reads the document using a screen reader.

image