Online learning is changing thanks to improvements in communication technologies such as mobile devices, and learning management systems. MOOCs also encourage us to question other aspects of online courses. These slides include some of the elements that I consider crucial when developing an online course. These are some of the highlights of my experiences.

Learning is not only about content but also connections. When we build relationships we continue to learn from them for the length of the relationship. Fostering a sense of community in a course will strengthen the learning experience.

As we face complex problems, we must move away from addressing them only using our expertise. Learning to cross boundaries and go beyond academic silos increases the potential for bringing about positive and actionable change.

As more courses become open and MOOCs increase in prevalence, is not the common that stands out but the unique. Unique because is better developed or unique because it is a new subject, perspective, or combination of ideas.

Time passes and seconds are equivalent in length but are not remembered the same. When we look back on our lives it is the experiences that stand out that we most remember. Fostering memorable moments can increase the retention of those nuggets of information.

There are many paths that lead to Rome and there are many ways in which to obtain mastery over a subject, but guidance and gradual steps will help those learning to more quickly reach the submit. It is important to take into account that students will face different difficulties and will need support in different stages.

Not all that we remember is meaningful. In any course there is an intersection between the content of a course and its relevance to a student. Including ways for student feedback that help us to find how a subject benefits a student or is relevant to each student in the short term and long term is important.

When we practice what we learn we solidify our neural pathways. We also obtain a richer understanding of theoretical concepts and their application to every day life. Including experiential learning elements in a course can help students to move from a theoretical understanding to the utilization of new knowledge.

The world is increasingly interconnected, but our experiences relate to different extents. Being aware of the differences between individual experiences will help us to understand ourselves more fully and some of the challenges faced by modern society.

The more individuals that benefits from high quality learning experiences, the more they may apply critical thinking skills to solving complex problems and paradoxes. Technology allows us to free information and reach all of the corners of the world. When creating a course consider its scalability.

There are currently over 6 billion mobile subscriptions. Increasingly more individuals have access to advanced information and telecommunications devices, but not all of the devices have the same capabilities. When creating resources consider how others may be able to access them and if possible create different versions of resources for different devices.

Having a good time and enjoying an experiences will increase our likelihood of trying to relive a similar experience. When a course is entertaining students may be more engaged and look forward to the next session with greater enthusiasm.

Some patterns can decrease student confusion. By decreasing confusion, learners will be less distracted by the system and focus more in the content. While small surprises can be positive, the use of patterns and order in certain elements such as the broader structure of a course can reduce student frustration.

When creating an open course, it can be beneficial to think of learning units as independent. While some subjects may be able to achieve this segmentation more easily, when possible clear modules can allow for interested individuals in the online community to engage with a course when they have a strong interest in a module. Others, with different interests may chime in in a different module.

Different personalities are more likely to express themselves more openly in different environments. Online courses have show to benefit students who may feel uncomfortable speaking in public, but who do not fear engaging in an online environment. The opposite can be true. A course should consider different learning preferences to better gauge student involvement and how to increase interaction.

There are many ways to tell a story and through the internet we can find resources to share a point via video, audio, and text. Different students may prefer to watch a video while others may benefit from reading an article. It is as important to provide various articles with different writing styles and opinions as it is important to provide various types of media when sharing resources on a subject.

Every course can find a way to improve and address some of the concerns brought by students in its next iteration. Asking students for feedback at the end of a course allows students to express their opinions which can then be analyzed by the instructor when designing the new version of the course. Regularly evaluating your course will help current and future students.

Students can feel distant in an online course. By sharing a small video clip which includes you image and where you discuss some of the materials shared by students the previous week or throughout the course can help students feel more present and a part of a learning community.

There are many other important elements to consider when designing an online course, but hopefully these slide will encourage the consideration of various key elements. These presentation took into account some recent technological changes. If you would like to share your own list send me an email at sintj002@umn.edu. Thanks!