Perhaps the most challenging part of creating an online course is deciding What to Include in Your Online Courses and how to present it. Well-defined objectives and conducive flow will take your course to the next level.
Identifying learning objectives is a crucial step in creating an effective instructional design. Learning objectives define what students will understand and be able to do by the end of the course. They provide a clear direction for designing the course content, activities, and assessments. When done right, learning objectives ensure that students achieve the desired outcomes of the course and have a clear understanding of their progress throughout the learning journey.
In this way, identifying learning objectives is an essential component of any successful educational program. Here are some key elements to provide in your course.
What to Include in Your Online Courses
5 Things to Include in Your Online Courses
Catchy description
When it comes to promoting your course, the description is one of the most important elements. It’s the first thing potential students will read, and it can make or break their decision to enroll. Writing a catchy course description requires a combination of creativity, clarity, and persuasion.
Eye-catching featured image
With the proliferation of stock image sites these days, finding an attractive photo to represent your course is easy. However, since most content creators are also using these sites, you want to pick something that stands out from your competitors.
Usually it is best to choose a featured image that is obvious (i.e. a picture of an eBook reader for a course about publishing eBooks). However, most course creators will probably choose this as well, so a more creative representation of your course could help you stand out from the crowd.
You want to be cautious with getting too creative with your featured image though, as it may work against you if it doesn’t clearly represent what your course is about.
Video lectures
This might seem obvious, but most courses will need an abundance of video lectures. Including downloadable PDFs, study guides, and infographics will spark some variety and a welcome break from talking heads, but you want to make sure you have an abundance of video to keep your students interested and flowing from one section to the next.
There are a number of ways to integrate video lectures into your course. A simple and user-friendly way to add video to your course is by using Owwlish.
Owwlish is an all-inclusive course creation tool box that offers the easiest way to add video to your website. To convert your video files to simple code, all you have to do is upload them to Owwlish. You instantly receive the code and can copy and paste it to anywhere you like.
Clear course progression
This is an invisible element that some instructors neglect. Afterall, organizing all of the information in your course is exhausting. Just getting your scripts written and your videos shot is a full-time job!
Structure can be the difference between success and failure, however.
You want to be sure that your course has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with supporting material that reinforces the learning concepts along the way.
A good way to organize your information and help your students at the same time is to have a course outline at the beginning, keeping everyone on track.
Title
Why save this one for last when it is literally the first thing a prospective student will see? Because a title has to put everything about your course into a nutshell. Having everything else in place before settling on a title can help you write it.
You want your title to clearly convey what your course will deliver while also suggesting what bonuses students will learn and why your course is better than others in similar subject matter.
Putting it All Together
A well-organized course structure is a key factor in achieving better learning outcomes. When learners are able to grasp how different concepts fit together and build upon each other, they are more likely to retain the information and apply it effectively. A clear course structure also helps learners stay on track and understand what is expected of them throughout the learning process. In this way, a well-structured course can not only help learners achieve their goals but can also lead to a more enjoyable and rewarding learning experience overall.
It’s Time to Start Building Your Online Course
Crafting a compelling online course requires careful consideration of every element, and Owwlish is here to guide you through the process. From identifying learning objectives that shape the educational journey to creating engaging content, we’re dedicated to enhancing your course creation experience. With a clear roadmap in mind, you’re better equipped to design an effective instructional flow. Owwlish not only empowers you with tools for dynamic video integration, but it also helps you structure your course seamlessly. Whether it’s crafting catchy descriptions, choosing eye-catching images, or establishing a logical progression, Owwlish has you covered.
Our user-friendly platform empowers you to build courses that resonate, educate, and captivate learners. Ready to embark on a transformative course creation journey? Join Owwlish today and turn your educational vision into a reality. Your students’ enriched learning experience awaits.
