This document provides guidance for designing an effective online learning experience. It recommends identifying clear learning objectives, choosing an appropriate platform, considering expectations of both instructors and students, finding ways to increase engagement, incorporating experiential learning elements, and reviewing best practices. The document offers specific tips, such as using videos, relevant content, discussion boards, and applying lessons to real-world contexts. It stresses beginning with the end in mind, maintaining the design over time, and responding promptly to student questions and posts.

2.  Identify your learning objectives
 Choose your platform/maximize the one you
have
 Consider
your expectations of your students
AND your student’s expectations of you
 Identify chances to increase engagement
 Check for experiential learning elements
 Review general “best practices”

3.  What is your goal?
 How much interaction do you want?
 What forms of communication will you
use?
• (video, elearning modules, discussion boards,
quizzes, etc.)
Begin with
the end in
mind.

4. HOW will participants access information?
• Do you have a choice?
 If you already have a platform you have to work with,
make the most of what you’ve got!
 Contact vendors, use their resources to learn
 Participate in online communities discussing the tool
 If you’re selecting your platform, choose wisely.
 Talk to at least 3 vendors AND their users
 Visit community sites discussing the tools for user feedback

5.  What’s your budget?
 Maintaining the platform
 Creating materials
 Updating materials
REMEMBER
The design you
choose has to
be maintained.

6.  What do you expect?
• What do you want participants to learn?
• How often would you like participants to interact
with you and each other?
• What can participants DO to get the most out of
the course?
• How much time do you expect students to put into
the coursework?

7.  What do participants expect?
• What do participants what to learn?
• Why are they in your course (requirement,
passing or vested interest, etc.)?

8.  Videos
• Give participants something to watch!
 Screen capture programs make it easy (and free!)
 Discuss a news story/other existing video
• Provide a place to talk about what they saw
 Relevant Content
• Respect the adult learner’s time
• Tie to current events when possible

9. “Tell me about…” questions on your
discussion boards
Ask clarifying questions after original posts…”You
mentioned…tell me more about…”
Call to action to apply discussion topic to
current environment
“Try…and post your results by Wednesday.”

10.  What materials can be experiential?
• Worksheets – act as a guide for an experience or
of reflecting on own understanding
• eLearning Modules – can be interactive with
questions or links requiring action from the
participant
• Require participants to teach each other (sharing
their own learning, stories and perception
solidifies the information)

11.  Outline what materials you need to create
• Content Creation
• Content Design
• Technical Support
• Audio/Video Support
 Identify
external resources that can help you
and your participants

12.  Respond to questions/posts promptly
 Contributediscussion questions of your
own, but encourage participants to ask
questions of each other
• This may take time; be patient!
 Set peer questions as an expectation
 Remind participants throughout the course
 Respond positively when you see a peer question

13.  Don’t accept general comments
• Challenge participants to respond with depth and
personal opinions/reflections through redirection
“Student Name-it sounds like you’ve experienced
this before? Tell me about your experience.”
“Tell me more about why you agree.”

14.  Identify your learning objectives
 Choose your platform/maximize the one you
have
 Consider
your expectations of your students
AND your student’s expectations of you
 Identify chances to increase engagement
 Check for experiential learning elements
 Review general “best practices”

15. Something to add?
Questions?
Comments?
Join the discussion
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