I’m probably going to upset some people with this post, but it needs to be written.
There IS a difference between creating a great course, and just putting content online.
Sure, you can put some videos and pdfs online, you can even drip feed them over a period of time, but that doesn’t make it a great course.
So, in this post, I’m going to take you through what I believe helps to create a student-centric, engagement rich, learning environment (which is what you really want).
5 main differences between content and a course
Structure and Order
A great course should be clearly broken down into modules and then smaller chunks (you might use different names for these, eg. Topics and Lessons, but the theory is the same.)
This step by step structure allows students to progress through your course content in a logical manner. It helps them to see where they are up to and what comes next.
Guided Implementation
A great course encourages students to implement what they’ve learned as they go.
In some cases this implementation is mandatory (you might need to submit work to unlock the next module, or in University you’ll need to submit work to pass, to be allowed to continue with the course)
Your course doesn’t need mandatory implementation, but it should allow time for students to try what they have learned. It’s important to do this in little bits along the way, rather than leave all of the implementations for a final project at the end.
Support
Your students need support, and a great course should offer this in several different ways.
This is where I might start to get some disagreement. There are lots of places online where you can buy a self-paced “course”. You get a username and password, and access to their online content. End of story.
But part of the reason (a BIG part) that online course completion rates are so low, is the lack of accountability and support.
Support should be there to keep students on track, to show them where to go and what to do, to answer questions when they get stuck, to be there for them.
How you offer support within your course will depend on the type, of course, you are building, the platform you are using, and even your price point… but make sure you have some support. It will make all the difference in the long run.
Assessment
I’m adding this one in, although it won’t be relevant for everyone.
Well, structured assessment can form part of a robust review process. It helps the students to clarify their thoughts, to find words for things they might not have thought through, and to reflect on what they’ve learned.
Better still, it allows you to see how your course is working.
If students are getting all the answers right, you’ve built a great course. If every student is getting a specific answer wrong, then you’ve got a gap in your content or your process.
Without assessment, it can be more difficult to find these gaps.
Feedback
You might not want structured assessment within your course though, and that’s ok.
If you don’t have an assessment, at least ensure you include a feedback cycle.
There should be a way for students to get feedback on their work.
How will they know what they did well, and what they could improve if no one ever tells them?
