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Designing for Distance Learning
Thinking about developing and teaching a course that will be delivered at a distance? Great!
The following document is designed to help you get started by providing you with a set of categories followed by a brief description and a list of things to consider. You will want to continue the process by expanding on each list of things to consider.
Designing, developing and delivering a distance learning course takes a lot of time and effort. However, it is important to remember that designing, developing and delivering a distance learning course can also be a very rewarding and energizing experience. The process challenges you to think about teaching and learning in new ways. It requires that you are intentional in creating an interactive learning community. It demands that you be actively present in a virtual classroom. And, it necessitates creative consideration of non-traditional learning materials and assessment methodologies.
Overview of Design Considerations
Although each one of the following categories is an integral part of the overall course design, it is helpful to initially focus on each area individually.
Instructional considerations center on the content and context of learning. Think about the learning objectives of the course as well as the materials used to support those learning objectives. In addition, consider how students will use these materials in the learning process.
Things to consider:
- What are the learning objectives of the course and how will they be made clear to students?
- What activities, projects etc. will support these learning objectives?
- How will distance alter the nature of these actives? (Both positive and negative)
- How will student learning be assessed?
- What types of communication will be used to facilitate the various learning activities?
- How often and at what level will students need to participate?
Additional considerations:
Student considerations center on the needs and abilities of the students who will be participating in the course. Think about the characteristics and skills that students will need to be successful in this course.
Things to consider:
- Who are the students taking this class?
- Why are they taking a distance learning course as opposed to a campus-based course?
- What is their level of technical expertise?
- What skills/knowledge are they bringing to this class?
Additional considerations:
Technology considerations center on the actual technologies used to deliver instruction. Think about the attributes and capabilities of the tools that you will be using to facilitate the learning process.
Things to consider:
- How can the technology be used to accomplish the course objectives?
- How can technology be used to enhance student learning?
- How can the technology be used to build an interactive learning environment?
- Are the delivery modes accessible to all students?
Additional considerations:
Organizational considerations center on the structure of the learning space. Think about how the course and "classroom" will be set up. The course should have consistent structural characteristics that need to be made explicit to the students. The organization and articulation of the course mechanics is critical for both student and instructor success.
Things to consider:
- Where will students go to find homework assignments, readings, assessments, grades, discussion groups, etc. and how will they find this out?
- How/where will students turn in assignments?
- Will the materials be organized by topic, by the week, by category?
- How will this structure serve to support or scaffold student learning?
Additional considerations:
