In order to run a successful online program, it is imperative that it is designed properly since the level of engagement and the kind of motivation that is required to be provided for online courses is quite different from traditional ones. Let us take a look at the key points to consider while preparing for an online course that is designed to be effective and ensures maximum satisfaction of the students.
Content Clarity
The first most important factor to consider while preparing for the online class is the content. Clear and concise content has to be prepared well before the class starts. Since the online education programrequires students to view the course content and material online, it is extremely important that the display of the content is such that it is easily navigable so that no difficulty is faced by the students with regards to accessing the data prepared for them.Secondly, it is important that a manageable amount of course content is being given to the students, if however that is not the case chances are that the students might get lost easily and find it hard to catch up with the course and ultimately decide to drop it. It is of course important that the required amount of course be covered, but how and when the material is to be distributed throughout the course depends on the discretion of the instructor.
Learning Activities
The online class is by no means different from the traditional one in terms of the kind of education and various learning activities that are constantly provided to the students in order to ascertain that they are progressing properly and are on the right track. Hence ample amount of assignments, projects and classroom discussions must be incorporated in the online course to make it effective.
Frequent Changes
Once the course content has been prepared and distributed among the students, it is advisable not to make changes since it creates a certain amount of uncertainty and is likely to disturb the study program prepared by the students.If, however, there are certain important requirements that need to be added, then of course instructors should include them while keeping the students in the loop.
Support System
Last most important factor to consider is that online students perhaps require more support than traditional classroom students because of the missing face-to-face interaction. Hence instructors must provide them with ample resource material to seek help from and also ensure their availability online in order to resolve any query or problem so that the learning process continues unhampered.
Online education can be quite informative and educational, but only when the content is reliable and knowledgeable. There are certain and numerous hoax and frauds present in the online world that are completely not reliable and trustworthy. They can grant wrong and inaccurate information to students who can easily grasp it without any source. Originally, the content should be well written with clarity and transparency. It should not develop second thoughts and doubts within the minds of the readers and should propagate news which is extremely clear. Moreover, the virtual world is full of misinterpretations and miscommunications that is why it is essential that students are exposed to a support system and have individuals sitting behind the screen who can help them in educational aspects and remove confusions of all sorts.
Author Bio: Alice john has been associated with the field of education for 18 years. She has a Master’s degree in Education and is working for the online firm Do my essay for me|chiefpapers . Her main area of expertise is providing training related to education and leading teaching practices for teachers and educators at the high school level.
