how to structure my online course

10 Tips for Structuring Great Online Courses (+ Bonus Tip)

• 1. Design It Backward: Begin With the End in Mind. One of the best approaches to designing an effective online class is to start with the desired ...
• 2. Choose the Best Way to Present Your Content.
• 3. Group Similar Tips Into Modules.
• 4. Order and Outline Your Lessons.
• 5. Create Specific Learning Outcomes.

Full Answer

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.

Do you structure your course the right way?

Not only do you need to structure your course the right way, you also have to get your customers to consume the content and implement what you teach. And this is what leads us to the last three steps of the Result Centered Training Formula TM.

How to create an effective online course outline?

The key to creating an effective online course outline is to make it simple, clear, and easy to understand. – Step-by-Step: This format is the most common because it follows a logical progression from beginning to end, where each lesson builds on the previous lesson.

What makes an online course successful?

In contrast, the people who produce the most successful online courses understand that people are willing to pay premium prices for a program that teaches a clear systematic process for getting the result they want. But there’s another big piece of the puzzle.

How do you structure an online class?

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 should I structure my 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...•

What is the best format for a online course?

1) A Step By Step Program This is probably the most common online course format and it works well in taking your students on a clear step by step journey from where they are now to where they want to be.

How do you create good online course content?

How to create an online courseChoose the right subject matter.Test your idea.Research the topic extensively.Write a course outline.Create the course content.Bring your course online.Sell your online course.Market your content.More items...•

How many lessons should an online course have?

The number of lessons you choose to include in your online course mostly depends on the learning objectives you promise to deliver. Most short courses comprise of a couple of 5-minute videos while longer ones have 20 to 50 videos which are each around 5 to 20 minutes long.

How is course structured?

The course structure refers to the choice of topics and the organization and sequencing of course content. Remember that the choice of topics and their organization should always support the learning objectives for the course.

What makes an online course successful?

Interactive, collaborative environment. Interaction between students, and between student and teacher are critical to promoting deeper learning. Be sure to include interactive lessons, group projects, hands-on labs, class discussions, and private chats that students can use to connect directly with their teacher.

Is selling online courses profitable?

Are online courses profitable? Yes. They're actually one of the best business models you can adopt as a digital business because they're in demand and more and more people are willing to pay top dollar for them.

How long should your online course be?

Most experts confirm that a good length for a web-based course is somewhere between 15-30 minutes. This traditional opinion builds on psychological research, specific content patterns and, more often than not, gut feeling.

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,...

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 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 ...

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.

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.

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 are the challenges of online courses?

One of the inherent challenges of an online course, when compared to an in-person course, is the lack of easy collaboration and sharing among students. Still, there are plenty of ways to foster and encourage collaboration and communication among your students.

How to keep students motivated to continue a course?

A great way to keep students motivated to continue through a course is to set small and manageable goals throughout. Ultimately, your students should be working towards a larger outcome (i.e. they should be able to walk away from your course able to do something new that they couldn’t do before they took your course). However, since we live in a society that values instant gratification, it’s easy for students to become disheartened if they don’t feel like they’re picking up any new skills early on.

What is the structure of online classes?

Structure. In many ways, the structure of online courses closely resembles the structure of in-person courses. Each week, students generally must complete a set of required readings, watch one or more lectures, participate in a discussion with their classmates, and finish an assignment.

What is asynchronous online course?

Asynchronous courses, also known as flexible online courses , allow you to complete all of your coursework on your own schedule, making them ideal for working professionals.

What is hybrid online course?

Hybrid online courses incorporate both online elements and classroom learning and generally benefit students who can commute to campus from time to time. Synchronous online courses require you to participate in lectures or discussions at specific times each week.

What is distance learning?

Generally speaking, distance education best serves students who learn visually, verbally, and auditorily, as most of the information in your online class will be presented through readings, writing assignments, lectures, and discussions.

What is learning outcome?

Learning outcomes refer to the knowledge and skills you should develop in the course. For example, if you are taking an introductory English composition class, learning outcomes may include a clear understanding of the rules of grammar and syntax and the ability to both outline and write a five-paragraph essay.

What is an online learning platform?

Online students typically access all of their readings, lectures, discussion boards, and assignments through a single web-based portal, commonly known as a learning platform. Some of the most common learning management systems include Blackboard, Canvas, and Docebo.

Why is online learning important?

Online learning offers exceptional flexibility and convenience, especially for students who need to balance their studies with a full-time job or family responsibilities. However, it is important to carefully consider whether distance education suits your unique learning style before enrolling in an online program.

Two mistakes you want to avoid

When you’re structuring your next course, there are two mistakes that you have to avoid. Let’s make sure we cover those quickly.

First, start with the goal

People sign up for an online course because they want something. They want to be able to do something they’ve already tried to do without you, or they’re trying to do something they’ve never tried. Either way, the place to start isn’t step one. The place to start is the end.

Then, articulate a strategy

Let me pause for a second and address another insecurity you might have. We talked yesterday about the insecurity of knowing others out there have created courses like yours already.

Now, present common challenges

Think about the last course you took. No wait. Think about the last “tutorial” video you watched on YouTube. Had you already tried to solve the problem on your own?

Next, help them move forward

When it comes to the structure an online course, all the previous stuff is critical, but it’s just setting the stage for this section. You needed the other stuff earlier, so you can point back to it. You needed it to set the stage for this.

Does this sound familiar?

Have you watched the video of my Bridge Framework? Because as you read this post, I hoped you started thinking, “wait, I’ve heard him talk about this before.”

How to create a course plan?

Having a formal Course Plan is extremely important for lots of reasons, but some include: 1 Ensures that you meet your aims, objectives and outcomes 2 Being able to clearly see the flow and content of your course and to optimise the learning experience 3 Organising your content and avoiding duplication of teaching 4 Keeps you clear and organised when filming 5 Organising your videos and other teaching resources 6 Assist with the formulation of your sales page 7 To help any staff or contractors assist you

Why is it important to have a course plan?

Having a formal Course Plan is extremely important for lots of reasons, but some include: Ensures that you meet your aims, objectives and outcomes. Being able to clearly see the flow and content of your course and to optimise the learning experience. Organising your content and avoiding duplication of teaching.

What are the lessons in a collection of tips?

A COLLECTION OF TIPS – NOT ORDER DEPENDANT. • Lesson 1: Tip 1. • Lesson 2: Tip 2. • Lesson 3: Tip 3. You see, it all depends on what you’re teaching. Now go back to your post-it notes, and move each tip around so that they are positioned in what you feel is the most natural order.

Do modules have to be equal?

NOTE: Modules do NOT need to be equal sizes! You do NOT need to have the same amount of lessons in each module. Some of your modules might have 2 lessons in it. Some might have 10. That’s totally ok. Then, look at your modules and decide if they should go in a certain order.

What is the completion rate of online courses?

A study in the December 8 issue of Educause Review Online (ERO) by Harvard University researcher, Justin Reich, reveals that completion rates of online courses range, between 2 and 10 percent.

Why would someone buy a course?

The only reason someone would purchase a course is to solve a problem they are currently facing or if they believe it will improve their life in some way. Therefore, your first step is to identify their current pain-points.