Isn’t learning fun?! We think so… Those ‘ah ha’ moments that help you come up with your next great idea, the bond you create with others over new experiences, the insight you share. But how can you create that for others? And is it possible to take your content and turn it into a valuable online learning experience? The answer is a resounding YES – when designed correctly.

So, what exactly makes one course design more successful than another? Of several possible contributing factors, we’ve narrowed it down to 4 simple, key points below. Certainly, there are important, strategic elements that can be customized to “level-up” your specific online course experience, but these few points can be used as a basic blueprint, applicable to all.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

-Benjamin Franklin

Here Are 4 Key Elements of an Effective Online Course:

Clear Learning Objectives

Have a clear course plan and be definitive about what your students will learn in your course. Don’t leave room for them to question what they received. Outline the course objectives in the beginning and then revisit them often to show how you are accomplishing each objective that was presented. Make it crystal clear how they will be better off at the end of the course and how they will put their newly learned skills into practice.

Practical Actionable Items

Make it easy for your students to put what they are learning into results and test their new skills. Every course needs to have real life application that can be proven through exercises and practice. After all, if you don’t use it, you lose it! And if you don’t learn how to apply it, then you never really understood it completely anyway…

So, developing applicable practice exercises is essential in deepening the learning experience, both online and offline.

Make it Comprehensive without being Overwhelming

This is a fine line. To deliver enough content and value that your student feels they received their money’s worth, without being so bogged down by the amount of work and content that they never make progress or reach completion. Make sure your content flows with a natural, increased progression. Try and circle back to previous lessons when appropriate, reiterating their value in the learning stream. Finally, conclude with a strong recap, at each lesson’s end and a well-rounded, more intense wrap-up at the course’s completion.

Encourage Feedback and Interaction

Online learning can feel very isolating. Make sure you are approachably and that you facilitate some method of forum for internal engagement. This can be as simple as a student Facebook page, a place where you can be easily reached for questions and where community and camaraderie amongst members can flourish. Also, ask and evaluate feedback. You will be hard-pressed to get better improvement material and more useful constructive criticism than directly from someone who has just taken your course. Plus, you can enlist student assistance to identify other relevant, high quality online content for your future projects. And, invaluably, there is no better place to source future, repeat business.

“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.”

-Winston Churchill

So, are you ready to take your content online or improve a course you already have? We’d love to hear form you! Share your story below or contact us for a personal consultation.