Principles of Online Design

As discussed in class, there is much more to on-line learning than reading what is on the screen. After reading the Principles of Online Design, I selected two principles that I feel are essential to a successful online course.

Below are the principles and underneath each of them you will find my commentary on them.

Principle:
4.1.1 The instructor should allocate adequate time to develop and deliver an online course.
Practice C. Set aside an appropriate amount of time each week dedicated to managing an online course.
This practice is essential for the well being of the educational program, the students, and the instructor! If this principle is not followed, the program can potentially be on a fast track to disaster. Just like any other task someone wants to be successful in, time must be dedicated to that task.
If this principle is followed, different aspects of the distance course can be handled effectively. The instructor can organize his or her time to respond to students, create meaningful lessons and activities, and trouble shoot elements that are not working properly.

Principle:
2.1.1 Carefully select communication technologies such as Email and bulletin boards to enable and increase interaction and collaboration among learners.

C.Create opportunities for students to use technology to interact with one another.
I strongly agree that part of learning is human interaction. Through this interaction students can bounce ideas back and forth and get a deeper understanding about the topic. I believe these interactions need to be carefully designed given the nature of distance learning. If it is not carefully structured, the interactions may become a “complaining fest” with the subject of the conversations being the course itself. The following questions should be considered.
1. Will the interaction be face to face in order to work on a project?
2. Will it be through a chat room?
3. What will be the purpose of the interactions? (The outcomes)
4. What are the learning outcomes?
5. Do the learners know how to use the technologies required?