Two Principles -- Nilson

Under the topic Instructional Media
3.1 Information Presentation
Principle:
3.1.1 The information on a course web page should be organized in a way that facilitates information processing and reading.

Equally important in designing online courses is the way information is presented. I think this is something that is sometimes overlooked because course designers are oftentimes subject matter experts and not necessarily web designers or multimedia specialists. It is important to consider the general principles of good design in designing online courses, taking advantage of the features of whatever medium is being used. We cannot simply transfer learning materials from one medium (as in face-to-face courses) to another (online) but rather, we should create a structure that encourages and supports learning in students. When designing, keep in mind some of the basic principles/guidelines of web usability such as the examples given in the article: choosing the right screen size, appropriate use of white space, positioning most important information on top of the page, using shorter lines, etc.

Under Instructional Design
Instructional Activities
Principle:
1.3.2 Content should be sequenced and structured in a manner that enables learners to achieve the stated goals
Here is another example of the application of web usability. Instructional materials that have been successful in the classroom may not be successful in an online format. They have to be modified to help the students learn the content. One example given was the “chunking” of information. Much like in designing a web site, information must be divided and grouped so students are able to comprehend the learning materials presented and be able to perform the tasks required to achieve the objectives.