Creating a learner-centric elearning course means you have to understand who your students are. By studying them, you can create a course that can address all of their needs as it is related to the content that you want to impart to them.
For instance, a personal finance course for adults is different from that of children. If you want to teach high school and grade school students about budgeting, you need to provide them with different scenarios. You need to base your content delivery with their level of thinking so they can relate and absorb what you want to relay to them.
Part of what you should study about your students involves the common problems that they encounter during an elearning course. By studying these problems, you can address them and possibly solve them as you create your course.
The problems of the students will vary but there are general problems that you need to address.
Computing knowledge
A main need for those studying an online course is computer literacy. Most of us are actually tech savvy already. We are not experts, but most of us know how to operate the devices used to deliver eleearning courses. However, there are software programs and tools that may be used during the learning curve that the students do not know how to navigate. In case you are dealing with new students who have a low computer literacy rate, it is important that you give them the basics of how to use these programs. Before you use any tool or program, make sure your students know how to operate them. In case your course will require a certain level of expertise, make sure this is specified in the course details.
Technical difficulties
Since elearning courses are usually accessed online, you need to consider the technical difficulties that your students may encounter. These include Internet connections, bandwidth, etc. If they cannot access your course, they might not be able to keep up with the technical requirements that the course will require. Make sure the technical requirements are clearly stated at the beginning of the course. That way, students can opt out of it in case they lack the technical means to complete the lesson. Or, they can find a way to address any technical issues before the course starts.
Ability to adapt
Some students find it hard to transition from the traditional classroom set up to an online one. The learning process and experience varies greatly between the two. The end goal and result may be the same – but the experience will differ. Sometimes, the difference might act as a distraction. If the student exerts too much effort in their struggle to adapt, this will take their attention away from the lesson at hand. These students should prompt you to create a course that uses a blended learning method. Or you can opt to use a Course Management System (CMS) that will allow easy adaptability. If you have students who are unable to adapt to online learning and only prefer the traditional way, then you need to explain clearly the benefits of elearning to them.
Motivation problems
Elearning makes studying convenient. Sometimes, it is too convenient that the students fall behind or give up entirely. If you are not careful with how you construct your course, you may find yourself losing your students in the middle of the lesson. Self motivation is a trait that they should have – something that is not obvious. It is okay to put the learning pace in the hands of the student. But if you do not help them motivate themselves, they might not be able to finish the whole course.
These problems, if not addressed during the creation of your course could compromise the effectiveness of your elearning program. Make sure to look beyond the content of the course to ensure that the delivery will be well met by the students who will participate in it.
Image courtesy of imagerymajestic for FreeDigitalPhotos.net