In many situations, online classes are the only means available to continue studies in the midst of the pandemic. Yet transitioning from physical to virtual classes is not easy. A lot of students are unhappy with the setup and their performance reflects this discontent. In order for digitization to be effective, it must consider the needs of the learners. Below are a few of the main elearning course design necessities that educators must keep in mind while they try to adapt to remote studies:
Clear Learning Objectives
It is far harder to focus for online classes than it is when you are inside a classroom. The modules cannot afford to overload the students with information that they cannot digest. They have to be extra careful about what to include and be ruthless about cutting the things that can be excluded. When faced with difficult choices, they can turn to the specific
elearning course design. These must be clearly spelled out so that every section can serve their purpose.
Audience-appropriate Content
The content must be written with the audience in mind. Designers must consider the age, the background, and the technical abilities of the students. Young learners do not have a fully developed vocabulary so they should only encounter simple and common words. Things can become more technical with a rise in grade level. As for adult learners trying to complete new courses, jargon should be explained well before being integrated into the course.
Logical Course Structure
The sections should flow in a logical structure. The basics must be established before the more difficult concepts are presented using previous lessons as building blocks. The course must not jump from one topic to another without rhyme or reason. It would help if the syllabus can be presented early and explained on the first lecture. This will set expectations and prepare learners for what they are about to tackle.
Convenient Content Consumption
The modules must be easy for the students to consume. Technical matters such as download speed and file sizes must be optimized to ensure accessibility. While it’s nice to have high resolution videos available, low resolution options must be given for those who have a slow connection. Students should also be given enough time to go through the lectures before moving on to a different topic. Checking their information retention through questions at the end of modules can keep them on their toes.