what makes a course successful class

by Prof. Brett Gulgowski 10 min read

There are quite a few factors that contribute toward whether a class is successful or not. Students and instructors getting along and understanding what one expects of the other is a key component of accomplishing course objectives. These in turn lead to the class being deemed successful by the people involved.

Full Answer

What makes a good course?

When they finally got through the exercise, they clearly identified some important elements of a good course, including organization, level-appropriateness, fair and relevant assessments, and engaging activities.

What makes a good online class?

Student-Friendly Pacing. Good online classes know how to pace the assignments so that students are neither bored nor overloaded on any given week. These courses are specifically designed so that plenty of time is allotted for working on major projects and that minor assignments keep students engaged in the meantime. 03.

What makes a good education course design?

It’s clear that designers of the best courses think outside the box. They avoid giving the students the same bland experiences week after week and surprise them with real opportunities to develop their thinking and grow as a learner.

What makes a good graduate training program?

Good communication skills, engaging, humble positive…it was a good list. And, of course, the only thing that your graduate training provides you with is knowledge, as I made sure they all noted. (As an aside, I tweeted the following: “And using student-centered approach makes me feel superfluous.”

What makes a class Successful?

The right attitude, commitment to the course material, a willingness to work hard along with a knowledge of their own abilities and short comings are some of the most important things that can make any student a shining stat in their teachers' eyes.

What makes a class a good class?

In the final analysis, the major keys for having a good class are the attitudes of the professors and the students. We need to have the desire to be engaged, be challenged, and work together to make the whole experience better. Having good students and good professors without a good synergy is not as effective, either.

What makes a course better?

Thoughtful and methodical design. Course goals and learning objectives: Make sure they're clearly spelled out in a way that students can understand and grasp. Scope and sequence: Map it out ahead of time; don't just leave it up to chance.

What do you need to be successful in a course?

Able to make time to study and participate in class discussion, chats, and projects.Login regularly to your classes. ... Plan ahead to ensure you have enough time to study and complete assignments.Not put off studying and rarely procrastinate.Take notes as you study.Work cooperatively with others.

What makes a college class enjoyable?

When students feel comfortable in their learning environment, they feel confident to express their ideas, ask questions, and connect with the course in a meaningful way. The second ingredient is caring about students' well being and expressing genuine concern for their success.

How do you say have a good class?

"Enjoy the class!" would be a more natural thing to say, as they're (hopefully) enjoying the activity, rather than the time period.

How can a course be improved?

Nine ways to improve online course design: Set clear learning objectives. Make the course easy to navigate. Keep accessibility in mind. Engage students through communication.

What makes an online class effective?

Student-Friendly Pacing Good online classes know how to pace the assignments so that students are neither bored nor overloaded on any given week. These courses are specifically designed so that plenty of time is allotted for working on major projects and that minor assignments keep students engaged in the meantime.

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

Findings indicated that online learner participation and patterns of participation were influenced by the following factors: technology and interface characteristics, content-area experience, student roles and instructional tasks, and information overload. There may be a reciprocal relationship among these factors.

What are 5 strategies for success?

5 Strategies for SuccessAdapt your study habits. You can learn anything, but you may need to change your study habits to perform in line with your goals. ... Manage your time. ... Tune out the noise. ... Ask questions. ... Stay connected.

What are some strategies for success?

Focus on Getting Better, Rather than Being Good — Think about your goals as opportunities to improve, rather than to prove yourself. Be a Realistic Optimist — Visualize how you will make success happen by overcoming obstacles. Don't Tempt Fate — No one has willpower all the time, so don't push your luck.

What are three strategies you will use to ensure your academic success?

Three Strategies to Ensure Student Success and Engagement Establish organization and structure. Establish and communicate clear learning objectives throughout the course. ... Keep Learners Intrinsically Motivated. Establish personal and real-world relevance. ... Involve the Learner.

What makes a good online class?

Finally, good online classes usually tend to have something extra that gives them that additional "oomph." It’s clear that designers of the best courses think outside the box. They avoid giving the students the same bland experiences week after week and surprise them with real opportunities to develop their thinking and grow as a learner. There’s no formulaic way to do this – it’s the effort of designers thinking about what works and carefully crafting content that makes learning meaningful.

What is the best way to create community in online classes?

The best online classes are created with community in mind. Students are welcomed into the course and feel free to interact with the instructor and their peers in a friendly atmosphere. There are several ways that community can be created in online classes. Some include off-topic discussion boards where students talk about everything from last week’s football game to their favorite recipes. Others encourage students to post real pictures as their avatar graphics or require students to complete group assignments. Strong communities help students feel comfortable taking risks and asking for help.

Why is online learning important?

As much as possible, good online classes provide the opportunity for students to make up their own minds and take responsibility for their own learning. Some of the best courses allow students to create their own projects or focus on an element of the topic that they particularly enjoy.

Is there a lot of boring online classes?

Updated February 06, 2019. Let’s face it: there are a lot of low-quality, low-learning, boring online classes out there. But, there are also some spectacular online courses that engage students and help them learn in ways that aren’t always possible in a ​ traditional classroom.

Do all students learn the same way?

Not everyone learns the same way. Good courses make sure to appeal to visual, kinesthetic, and other learning styles by providing a variety of multimedia content and carefully designed assignments that help students learn in the way that works best for them.

Is it okay to overload a course?

Sometimes, overloading a course with too many “extras” can be confusing to students. But, it’s still helpful to give students ways to learn more outside of the prescribed curriculum if they choose to do so. Good online courses provide supplemental ways for students to keep learning but differentiate that from the core content so that students aren’t overwhelmed.

Is online class good?

It’s sometimes tempting to overload a course with flashy tech elements or to have students sign up for dozens of outside services. But, good online classes avoid this temptation. Instead, good courses include carefully selected technologies that are reliable and fully supported. This helps students avoid the panic that comes from encountering a required program that just won’t run or a video that just won’t load.

ELEMENT no.2: Add interactive elements to keep your audience engaged

To keep your audience more engaged and entertained, think about several different interactive elements to add through the course.

ELEMENT no.3: Create some space for support

Even if your course is evergreen and doesn’t work in a group-setting, I’d suggest creating a Facebook group for it so your audience can gather all in one place and share their experiences.

ELEMENT no.4: Give your audience follow-up steps and guidance

What happens once your course is over? What can they do if they want to take the next step in this journey?

ELEMENT no.5: Add templates to work with

If you have a chance and your course supports this, make sure to add in some templates your students can work with.

What are the qualities of an effective online course?

Most quality standards for online courses consist of similar components. Standards include learning objectives, course activities, and student and teacher interaction . Student perceptions of online class quality are key to designing an effective course. Those looking to enroll in online programs should ...

What can you expect to learn in an online course?

What can you expect to learn in an online course? Objectives are usually listed in several places, including the class syllabus, and state what you should know or be able to do as a result of successfully completing the course. Learning objectives are typically developed for both individual courses and full programs.

What are the best ways to improve student satisfaction online?

Communication and interaction are critical to student satisfaction in an online environment and can happen in many ways. Active learning strategies, such as simulations, case studies, concept mapping, and problem-solving, encourage engagement and understanding of the subject matter.

What is the biggest concern for students considering online learning over campus-based programs?

Even before the pandemic, BestColleges' online education trends study found that the "quality of instruction and academic support" was the biggest concern for students considering online learning over campus-based programs. According to BestColleges data, the “quality of instruction and academic support ” is the biggest concern for students ...

What is high quality online class?

High-quality online courses give you access to a variety of resources developed to support your learning. Expect to have access to your college's library and research librarians, a technology help desk, math and writing centers, disability services, and tutoring. Links to these and other student services are sometimes embedded in digital class materials.

What is the biggest concern for students considering enrolling in an online program?

According to BestColleges data, the “quality of instruction and academic support” is the biggest concern for students considering enrolling in an online program.

Why do programs need continuous review and revision?

Good programs have plans for continuous review and revision to make sure all aspects of its courses are up to date, from technology and interactions to materials and assessments. These reviews and revisions should include feedback from faculty and students alike.

Why is it important to have supportive relationships in the classroom?

Supportive relationships in the classroom can encourage students to become more invested in learning, enable them to extend beyond their current abilities, and form a bridge of mentorship (Meyers, 2009). These learning opportunities can help students discover their ‘why” as it relates to their educational and professional goals.

What is the first ingredient in a learning environment?

The first ingredient is creating a trusting, safe, and respectful learning environment for students to thrive. When students feel comfortable in their learning environment, they feel confident to express their ideas, ask questions, and connect with the course in a meaningful way. The second ingredient is caring about students’ well being ...

Is teaching psychology rewarding?

It is very rewarding personally and professionally to teach psychology in higher education. As I reflect on teaching and working with students, I am mindful of the five key ingredients I have found to be valuable to their success in a course.

Is caring a part of college teaching?

In other words, caring is a part of effective college teaching, but not the totality. Supportive relationships between faculty and students are not a potential detriment to instructor rigor, but instead function as a conduit for students to master difficult material (Meyers, 2009).

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