Designing Online Course Content & Instruction

As an online learning professional – either an instructor or content developer (or perhaps both), it is important to stay abreast of the key trends in the industry and to understand basic online content development principles and foundational methods and models. Just like traditional development of instruction, online content develop follows sound strategies so that learners actually learn what they set out to learn and do this in an efficient way. With online learning, there are many tools and technologies used to support learning. This course is designed to introduce instructors to the eLearning industry as well as the process and concepts of basic online course development and instruction.

This program includes the following 6 modules:

1. Developing Online Content & Instruction
2. Adult Learning Strategies
3. Fostering Online Discussion and Communication
4. Online Learning Accessibility and Student Success
5. Teaching Online
6. Online Learning Technology

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Describe current online learning trends
• Develop a plan for keeping current as an online learning professional
• Follow sound content development models for online courses
• Address learner needs in content development for online learning
• Use innovative strategies to monitor student success and progress
• Engage learners using multiple strategies in an online course
• Describe the needs and common characteristics of adult learners especially as they apply to online learning environments
• Outline common teaching models that work well in online eLearning environments
• Apply instructional scaffolding to online learning instruction
• Explain common teaching strategies show to be effective in online learning environments
• Describe the goals of online discussion and communication
• Identify common communication tools in the online learning environment
• Identify ways to integrate discussion into the online learning environment
• Explain and demonstrate ways to effectively facilitate online discussion
• Define online learning accessibility and its components
• Define the key terms related to online learning accessibility for clear communication with the online IT staff
• Identify the standards, laws, and requirements related to accessibility in online learning environments
• Explain ways to help ready online students for success in the online learning environment
• Define online learning accessibility and its components
• Define the key terms related to online learning accessibility for clear communication with the online IT staff
• Identify the standards, laws, and requirements related to accessibility in online learning environments
• Explain ways to help ready online students for success in the online learning environment
• Describe the basic IT skills required for successful online instructors and learners
• Describe the function and operation of a typical learning management system (LMS)
• Describe various online learning technologies
• Explain the common terms, current standards, and interoperability requirements for online courses and technologies

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Teacher's Aide (TCHR)

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.