Student Issues When Designing a Distance Learning Course

It is important to consider student issues when desinging a distance learning course

Online classes are a convenient way for many people who struggle with time to further their education, offering a flexible schedule that most can fit into their busy lives. However, when an educator decides to design an online course, several issues may surface regarding students, and the educator must deal with those issues early on.

Technology Level

It is normally assumed that when students sign up for a distance-learning course, they already have a certain level of computer skills. While this is the case for some, others might simply sign up hoping they can learn these skills along the way. Several companies (such as SmarterMeasure) offer surveys that students can take to make sure they're ready for an online course, but this may require an expenditure on your school's part. A simpler way would be to have a list of the competencies that students need to be successful in your course, as well as a list of available tutoring centers in case they should need more help.

Getting Started

Once the students decide whether the distance-learning course is right for them, the next step is to get them started. Simply having computer skills is not enough, especially if a student has never taken an online course before. That 's why offering orientation is critical to the success of an online student. Does your institution have tutorials in place for online learners? If so, link to them or ask how they might be able to be utilized in your course. Do you have a list of all the online tools you will use and how your students can find them? If not, consider creating one, preferably with screen shots for the more visual learners. The goal is to have your students focus on your content, not worry about how to find it.

Interaction

Many students in a distance-learning course might develop feelings of isolation, especially if they're used to interacting with students and teachers in a more traditional setting. When you design your course, it is important to consider how you plan to have students interact with you and with each other. For example, if you want your students to collaborate or engage further about a subject, your best bet is to set up a discussion board with various topics to allow students to communicate with each other. Plus, it will also give you a chance to correct any problems that might occur. Some learning-management systems (such as Blackboard) also come with real-time messenger features, whereby you and your students can talk in a more synchronous fashion. Incorporating some of those tactics should help in reducing any anxiety an online student might have.

Support

While you always want your students to come to you for help, you also want to make them aware of any services that your institution provides. Have a list with phone numbers and links to such offices as admissions and financial aid, and also provide any tutoring resources made available.

References

• The Infrastruction Network: Barries to Learning in Distance Education
• Inquiry: Increasing the Success of Online Students