Erin,
You cannot change a first impression!!
Shelly Crider
Natalie,
Nice comments. If a student does not pick up the content....was the course worth it?
Shelly Crider
Terry,
That is what we want for a student...knowledge transfer, not frustration.
Shelly Crider
Caitlin,
There are many online schools a student can enroll in. We need to have them to want to be in our classes!
Shelly Crider
Yes, I have to agree that the design and feel of any online course will have an impact on the learners. If the design is to complicated to navigate or the feel does not allow the learners to seem like they are engaged with the course then they will not participate and start to withdraw.
I believe the look and feel of a classroom makes all the difference in the world for online students. If students find the layout to be confusing to navigate they will be lost before they can get started. The course rooms should be simplistic in their design. In this way, we are distracting the student from the real mission.
Sandra Stuart
The look and feel of an online course is very important. The online learner should be able to quickly navigate the site in an almost intuitive mode for easy access and manageability that will allow retention of content more easily. Much like reading the Sunday edition of the New York Times in a managable time frame due to good design and usability.
I completely agree that the look and feel of an online course is as important as the knowledge and skills to impart. I believe that navigational simplicity is one of the key starting points as well
Yes, I agree that the look and feel of an online course is as important as the knowlege and skills it is designed. As with any web site, a well designed and engaging site tends to have visitors stay at the web site and that is what online courses need to do: Get the attention of the student and keep them there. I also feel it would be great to use the Virtual Campus as an example of good design.
Kevin,
Out of sight out of mind!
Shelly Crider
Sandra,
There are times when I am working with Access that I feel the same way!!
Shelly Crider
Sandra,
I like the New York Times newspaper example!!
Shelly Crider
Aisling,
If a student does not have to learn how to navigate the lms, they have more time to learn the material.
Shelly Crider
Chad,
I like your Virtual Campus example!!
Shelly Crider
I agree with that. Many of my students are from all "walks of life" and all ages. Some haven't been in school a long time and are working on getting their degrees as adult learners. Many came from the "brick and mortar" generation. They may not be as tech savvy as the younger students so it is important that they can navigate through the course comfortably. This is a new experience for them, but I find that they do enjoy the challenge!
I have taken courses online in many different ways, on many differant platforms. Some I have loved, some have been functional and some I abhor. Personally I enjoyed the Capella platform, found the CEC Legacy platform very managable and Blackboard to be a pain. Therefore I agree that the look and feel of the platform is essential to student performance and feelings of ease.
I would agree with this assessment because, if the student is not stimulated from the beginning they will lose interest. When the look and feel are properly designed with color and overall layout. The student is more likely to become relaxed, which causes the student to become engaged.
I agree, this is the first step and grabbing the students attention. Attracting them to the online site and keeping them there throughout the entire lesson is the first steps.
I agree John, a relaxed attentive student is a sign of a good online course.
The look and feel of an online course is imperative as the students are remote, so the interactions are somewhat different than a ground campus. Since there is no "face-to-face" interaction other than live chats, the online environment should be appealing to students so that they will stay focused and subject-oriented.
