Get Your Students Hired
I think it is also important to try to reach the student through a variety of formats and sources that can build upon each other and support the core content.
Marshall McLuhan said "the medium is the message" and in today's environment, choosing the correct materials to engage the online learner are more critical than ever. How materials interact and overlap can make a difference in engagement with a student.
The look and feel of an online course is an important component. The way the online environment is presented sets the tone, and in many ways, prepares the students for the instructors approach and way of communicating. In the online format, the students are are often working independently toward goals, a poorly designed workspace, makes for a confused and often times unmotivated student. Making a student feel comfortable and confident sets the stage for the student to succeed, encouraging the student to explore the workspace, resources, tools and expectations.
I would agree totally. With the social media of today, the students will feel very comfortable a well designed online course
Dwight Colston
I agree. The look and feel of the online course is important, so that the student is comfortable with being able to navigate through the online course. Thus, allowing the student to absorb the content naturally without being threatened or confused.
The look and feel of an online course is extremely important. Everything from layout, type size and font choices, colors, etc can change how content is being perceived and delivered. The layout needs to be intuitive for the student. Students should not have to "dig" to find the content they are looking for. Just like in web design, online courses need to go through usability testing to ensure navigational success by the student.
Sue,
The students will know that the developer did not feel comfortable with class as well.
Shelly Crider
Robert,
This is true. We do rely on email, but remember that we can pick up our phone or better yet.....text the student if you have their permission to text.
Shelly Crider
Andrea,
A simple relaxed site will lead to a laid back atomsphere for students to learn in.
Shelly Crider
Matthew,
We do have to watch what colors are used. Some colors will cause issues with some people.
Shelly Crider
The look and feel of an online course is extremely important. If you miss on that basic level the material rarely gets a chance.
It's become even more difficult to design something engaging because today's technology is so advanced. A good portion of online students know more about modern technology than some of the instructors do. It can be a confusing balancing act.
The "transition" from face-to-face interaction with a student to an online interaction has been a significant challenge for me. I'm just used to being able to find a student and talk to them between classes if I needed to. Now, I need to rely on the student checking their email...which doesn't always happen.
Elie,
I do love content that is the most current. This is a good way to get students into discussion.....current events.
Shelly Crider
Kelly,
Exactly, the course should not be any different than if we were in a professional work place.
Shelly Crider
Nashid,
The need for balance is indeed an aspect that we as instructors do need to address.
Shelly Crider
The best online courses will combine simple, clean designs which are visually balanced and pleasing, with simplified interfaces. The more visual the better, in my opinion; for example, Pinterest is a good example of a highly visual site.
Art History is the subject I will be teaching online. It is highly visual so the look and feel are really important in making the content engaging for the students.
I posted a very similar comment earlier and got a message that it was deleted? I'm not sure why but anyway I'm trying again.
I agree with you about adding colors and graphics. Some students need those visual elements to make the content more attractive, where as some are ok with simply reading text. It's all about crafting it so the information is accessible to students of all learning styles.
The look and feel of an online course impacts students' education in many ways. Most importantly, the course must be designed as to provide easy access to all course content. If a student has to search for information or instructions they can become frustrated and give up on the assignment. Additionally, the course's look and feel must be professional and contemporary. Many students are internet savvy and know a good website when they see one. An online course which is set up as an attractive website adds credibility to the institution and provides more student enjoyment.
I would agree a that the look of an online course is as important as the content. For a student the more current it is the more a student can relate to it and accept the content as current. I did some online work and took a course on a less current looking subject matter. I felt like is this really what is happening now or this is the way things were 20 years ago. I think that if I felt that way others did too. So you have to stay current to maintain a students attention.
I totally agree with Anthony Summey. I teach studio art and also Art History. The layout for Art History is key because we need good visuals when analyzing and learning about artworks. Embedded videos are really important as well, especially when looking at sculptures or architecture.
I am looking for ways to allow teachers to have some control over the look and feel of the online course.