Setting Up An Online Experience

When instructing/facilitating an online course there are several considerations to keep in mind; I believe these considerations are similar to those we focus on when designing an online course.

1. Audience
2. Purpose or focus
3. Technology

By covering these three areas an instructor/facilitator can create an online learning environment that will benefit the students.

1.  Audience


Our audience would be our students and it is very important to know their expectations for the course.  As Conrad and Donaldson stated (p. 5), “Engaged learning is focused on the learner, whose role is integral to the generation of new knowledge” (Conrad & Donaldson, 2004). Yet it is also important to know a little about their prior knowledge and experiences that can add to the content of the course.  Lastly, as an online instructor/facilitator we must accommodate for the different skill levels of our students, not just concerning the course content but also technology skills, writing skills and communication skills.  Understanding the skill levels of students will help an online instructor/facilitator communicate clearly with students and set reasonable expectations for their success in the course.


2.  Purpose or focus

The purpose or focus of an online course would be the objectives or the content that we wish for our audience/students to master.  Although we need to be aware of our students’ prior knowledge and how it will affect their ability to master the course content, we need to more keep the focus on assisting the students in mastering the course content.  Conrad and Donaldson say (p.19), “The key to creating a positive experience is to identify the students’ needs and then incorporate activities that address their various learning styles” (Conrad & Donaldson, 2004). I believe the best way for an online instructor/facilitator to keep the purpose/focus of the course on the course content is to constantly refer back to the course objectives and the objectives of each activity or discussion.  By referring back to the objectives the instructor/facilitator can redirect students to mastering the course content while allowing students to lead the discussions and prove mastery in different formats.

3.  Technology

Technology is key in an online course for both the instructor/facilitator and for the students.  It is important that the instructor/facilitator understand the technology of the online course enough to assist students and to also ensure that the students are getting the full benefit of the technology available to them.  In another perspective it is also important for the students to learn to understand the technology that they will utilize in their online courses in a quick and effective manner.  Not only will this technology understanding help students complete the course successfully but it will add to their technology skill base to use for future courses or careers.

By keeping the course audience, purpose or focus, and technology in mind when either creating an online course or facilitating an online course it is more possible for the students to have a clear understanding of the required expectations for the course, the routes of communication in the course, and the technology requirements of the course.  These considerations will empower both the instructor/facilitator and the students to have a productive and effective online course experience.

Thank you.

Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2004). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.