Reflections of course review
The course review for my online course has shown me how much more I have to complete. I have been focused on creating the documents, assignments and interaction activities for each of my modules and lessons that I have kind of neglected to address some other things that should go into course design. In addition to putting the last pieces of information together to complete my course, I need to refine some of the directions and requirements.
After completing the module walk through, I realized that many aspects needed clarification – particularly the directions for assignments and due dates. One thing I have learned from building this course is the need to be very clear in directions, expectations and requirements. Our discussions, readings and assignments have all revealed the importance to keep materials clear, and not to assume that students will always know what they should do or how to get started. Especially in an online course these aspects need to be just as thoroughly planned out as the materials and assignments.
I think one of the biggest things I need to do to complete my course is to create a sense of community my students feel right from the beginning. I have added the “open stage” forum to the course – the space for students to communicate informally. I also learned that adding encouraging words as mentioned in the checklist will give students an additional feeling of success and completion during important milestones in the course. (2)
