Get Your Students Hired
I totally agree. The visual/optics need to be clean and easy to follow without the overuse of multiple colors, artwork and/or hyperlinks. Color palates should be complimentary and not distracting. The more complex the post, the more effort must be places in keeping the presentation clean, easy to read and comprehend and pleasant to the eye.
The look and feel of an online course is critical to user friendliness, which will go a long way in keeping a user engaged. An easy and friendly navigation system encourages a student to learn more. Even if the detailed contents of the course material are excellent, it serves no purpose if the student finds it difficult to reach. Understanding the various components available in an online course is an important component of student success.
Todd,
I like consistency as well. It is nice to feel that you are moving right through your program.
Shelly Crider
Daniel,
I like this as we do have to have a hook to grab the student!
Shelly Crider
Cory,
Discussions can be a bit of a challenge in any online class, but are invaluable as well!! Good job keeping up with your discussions!
Shelly Crider
EL101
Forum 1
The look and feel of the online course is critical. For instance, most females know within seconds of meeting a male if interest is going to spark. Is this based on looks or content of character? Same is true for online classes, is the course easy to navigate, sparks interest to maneuver through course, any structural deficiencies, old URLs, etc.? I have seen both sides of the coin when it comes to content as instructor and student.
Online classes are tough enough without feeling alone. If the online class shell is not engaging, you will alone. Retention goes down the toilet.
Agree. And I think that the consistency in the look and feel across a program, and even within an entire school, is very important to the student's experience and comfort with a course. The first time is always tougher, but if we can make multiple classes at the same university not feel like the first time - over and over again - that is extremely beneficial.
This is kind of like asking, are first impressions or content of dialogue/character more important? I think females of most species know in the first few seconds there will be a connection with a potential male. Same can be said for online courses.
The online course should be easy to navigate as well as having sparkling bright buttons/attachments/links etc.
The site should keep the students interest. Technology is important...use it. I like to use podcasts, discussion boards, assignments, silly calendar events and quick quizzes. As with a classroom on ground, you need to keep the students in an online on the hook.
I love online teaching and find that Sanford Brown has a great platform. While the live chats can be a bit of a challenge to juggle with a full time job I think that they are invaluable.
Quebec,
Excellent post. How many times have we as instructors tried to open a link only to find it broken....frustrates us too!!
Shelly Crider
Many individuals are visual, therefore creating an online environment that is appealing to the eyes will encourage student participation and interaction. An online course should also make sure that the navigation is easy to manipulate and that the links are functional. There is nothing more disparaging than a website that is not fully functional.
Juan,
Nobody likes to waste time and will just stop if they have to search and search for something.
Shelly Crider
I agree that the look of the online class is very important. A cluttered space may not drive everyone nuts, but someone like me can't stand it. I am a visual learner and too many things going on can be distracting. Currently the email program my work uses is completely cluttered with information that I don't really need. I can not wait to leave that cite.
I hope this helps,
Tara
I agree that the look and feel of an online course is essential to complement the actual course content. First, you need the appropriate course content that maps to the course objectives. Next, and most important, is the course delivery. The delivery is not simply the delivery of content directly from the instructor but also through the presentation and layout of the course. The Learning Management System (LMS) is a tool that needs to be optimized to create a welcoming environment that is easy to use. Unless the course is about navigating the LMS, the students should not be wasting time "figuring out" where to find the resources they need or interact with their peers.
I agree, the look and feel of an online course needs to be easy to navigate and flow in a logical order or students will become easily confused.
Thanks,
Kelly
Jeff,
Consistency is key!! Students like having a feel of knowing what to do and where to go to get the information needed.
Shelly Crider
John,
Who wants to have to look and look for your lesson, when you really just want to learn!
Shelly Crider