As current events dramatically change how we live, think, and learn, course design becomes front and center on the minds of academia. ‘We already teach online’ or ‘We have a complete curriculum plan’ are words heard today. What most fail to think about is the number one most important task:
Never Try to Migrate a Classroom Course Online Without a Detailed Plan
Assuming you have a curriculum plan, course plan, or lesson plan, go back and review it carefully. Think about the reading portion first.
Does the textbook publisher have adjunct online components available?
If so, look at how online content can add value to the course. Become familiar with the content and list the areas of difference between the textbook and online source.
Now, if you do not have the online resources, how can you add interactivity to the textbook information?
Next, look at any other media you can include in the course. Are there any web links the students can go to for more information or enhanced study? Students love to move around, watching videos. PowerPoint slides done well, simulations, case studies, and interactive group discussions. How do you do that now in the classroom? Are there labs or exercises you can recreate from the classroom to virtual?
If your course is a lecture course, you have different challenges. Lecture courses can be easier to move to an online setting, but you still want to keep the students motivated and attentive.
If you draw on a whiteboard while lecturing, you can replicate that using drawing tools within the video-based distance learning software, such as Zoom.
Some instructors videotape their traditional classroom presentations, edit them into smaller segments, and use those as part of the course.
Online learning technology allows for flexibility when designing and delivering an excellent student experience.
Enterprise Learning Management Systems Have One or More of the Following:
- Learning portals and sub-portals
- Blended learning capabilities
- Classroom management
- Virtual classroom management
- Social learning
- Competency and professional development
- Learning administration, reports, and analytics
- eLearning
- Gamification
- Mobile learning
- Learning content management system
- Web-based eLearning authoring tools
- PowerPoint to the eLearning conversion tool
- Storyboard conversion tool
- Online assessments and surveys
- Online test preparation
- Learning record store
- eCommerce and Internet marketing system
- Easy ability to accept add-ons and third-party integrations
Those Who have Successful Online Migration Experiences do so with the Help of their learning management system Tools and Capabilities.
If you do not have the necessary tools to provide your students with a robust, interactive experience, it is time to rethink your approach.
Can it be accomplished without the help of technology? Yes, you can use tools most organizations use daily such as PDF and PowerPoint. You can take your traditional class content and simply allow students to view them online. However, neither you nor your students will be happy with the results. Being an instructor in today’s environment takes planning, the unique creation of content, and engaging delivery.
Instancy wants you to take your subject matter expertise and use that knowledge to deliver a top-notch educational experience. Do you want to learn more about how you can do that? Whether you are looking for a new technology platform or you want to discuss your instructional design approach, we are here to help you!
Our founder, Harvey Singh, built the Instancy Learning Platform with educational technology in mind. He began his career as a graduate of Stanford in Education Technology. Our team lives and breathes education and design daily. We are here to help!
