I do agree that the look and feel of an online course are very important mainly because is reflects the teaching style of the moderator. If the look is not engaging and is put in a way that is not easy to navigate, students will be lost in the process of finding a simple assignment or learning. They can very well be frustrated and drop out. Therefore, in order to create a great learning environment that maintains student engagement, online courses has to be carefully designed to facilitate ease of use, planned lesson, and good structures.
This is so true, I have many students that haven't used computers and most of the them are not the traditional students. So they are not just learning the material on hand but also how to deal with the technology. The simpler the lesson plans are put together with an easy way to navigate, the better we engage most students.
Absro
I couldn't agree any more. Any tech issue that came to me, I would look into it and got back to my students....and it never stopped. Even at times I will remotely connect to their system and solve their issues. I then realized that I am not really letting them learn on their own and also I want them to develop the habit of contacting IT support for their technical issues.
I have conducted many online courses over the last 5 years. Just like many of you probably have. I have taken online classes too. I know for a fact that when a student first views a course it is crucial they are able to navigate and find the needed tools for the class easily. If for no other reason than to reduce the number of emails an instructor gets in the first week of class. The less confusion, the more students can focus on learning.
I took some classes at a college, (I won't say who but the letters are FSU) and the navigation was so poor and content so uninspired I left and went somewhere else.
I agree that the look and navigational feel are key components to a successful online course. If there is navigational difficulties such as unclear syllabi then chances are the structural integrity such as the follow along lesson plans will be hard to navigate. Things should be set out as to exact times adn dates for assignments adn point values for each. A week by week approach is helpful and not as overwhelming for newer students to this type of platform.
I agree with that the look and feel of an online course is as important as the knowledge and skills it is designed to impart due to the fact that I tend to get frustrated when I can't find information. As a student I would not want to see a crowded page of information. I would prefer a structured outline or roadmap of the coursework I have to complete such as, a course module.
The look and the feel of an online course is just as important as the knowledge and skills that it communicates.
I think it's important to understand that the look and feel of an online course interprets a "personality" that is conveyed through the selection of colors, images and fonts.
The right "personality" can help to cultivate a positive experience.
Marie,
Most people do like a good challenge, no matter our background! Tell someone it is too hard for them makes them push hard to prove a point.
Shelly Crider
Jerrod,
I have to agree. There are some platforms I have been on which have been more time consuming.
Shelly Crider
John,
Good point. If you do not capture the student in week one, you probably will not see them in week four.
Shelly Crider
Johnny,
Just like a little mouse trap.....entice the students in and then grab them!
Shelly Crider
Craig,
Remote holds a huge meaning anymore as remote takes us around the world and not just the "boonies"!
Shelly Crider
Absro,
I am glad you mentioned the teaching style of the instructor because this certainly shows through in a good class. So if your class lacks in something....what does that tell the students?
Shelly Crider
Absro,
Simple and to the point! This is what students want.
Shelly Crider
Absro,
Students want to be able to field their own issues but when they ask for help, I really hope the instructor knows the answer!
Shelly Crider
Mike,
We have to feel inspired or why would we want to go into that career?
Shelly Crider
Erin,
This helps students with time management, and many need this!
Shelly Crider
Vivian ,
Too much to look at will make you concentrate on what you are looking at and not necessarily the content itself.
Shelly Crider
Tonya,
I love a class that has personality!!! Those are the classes that keep me involved.
Shelly Crider
