Introduction to Online Education & Course Planning from edX

The introduction to online education and course planning course is critical to offering and teaching a successful online course or program. Having a solid understanding of online education and learning styles including key principles and teaching strategies of online education and important lesson planning steps will get your course started in the right direction. This course covers topics such as:

Growth of online education factors
Quality of online education research
Various modes of online courses
Learning objectives for online education

Build your fundamentals in online learning through this introduction to online education and course planning course.

What you'll learn

Explain the fundamental differences between online and face-to-face education.
Describe the factors driving the growth of online education.
Summarize the research findings on the quality of online education.
Identify different models of online courses.
Create learning objectives for courses, units, and activities.
Distinguish between learning objectives and activity descriptions.
Distinguish between performance and knowledge objectives.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Explain the fundamental differences between online and face-to-face education.
Describe the factors driving the growth of online education.
Summarize the research findings on the quality of online education.
Identify different models of online courses.

Create learning objectives for courses, units, and activities.
Distinguish between learning objectives and activity descriptions.
Distinguish between performance and knowledge objectives.

Explain the fundamental differences between online and face-to-face education.
Describe the factors driving the growth of online education.
Summarize the research findings on the quality of online education.
Identify different models of online courses.
Create learning objectives for courses, units, and activities.
Distinguish between learning objectives and activity descriptions.
Distinguish between performance and knowledge objectives.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Appropriate for higher education teachers and faculty, as well as anyone who wants to develop and deliver online education programs

Examines the factors contributing to the growth of online learning, making it applicable for different settings

Offers a framework for understanding the learning styles of students in an online environment

Provides practical guidance for developing course objectives, lesson plans, and activities

Helps teachers create engaging and effective online learning experiences

Covers key principles and strategies for teaching effectively in an online environment

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Online Education & Course Planning with these activities:

Review prerequisite math

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Sharpen your math skills to strengthen your foundation for the course.

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Review basic arithmetic operations.
Practice solving linear equations.
Complete practice problems on exponents and logarithms.

Watch video tutorials

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Supplement your learning with expert insights and demonstrations.

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Search for tutorials on specific topics or concepts.
Follow along with the tutorials and take notes.

Join a study group

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Collaborate with peers to enhance your understanding and learn from different perspectives.

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Find or start a study group with classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss course material and work on assignments together.

Three other activities

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Complete coding exercises

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Reinforce your understanding of key concepts through hands-on practice.

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Solve coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Implement algorithms and data structures in your preferred programming language.

Develop a study guide

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Create a comprehensive resource that summarizes key concepts and provides practice questions.

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Identify the main topics and subtopics covered in the course.
Summarize the key points and concepts for each topic.
Include practice questions and exercises to test your understanding.

Volunteer in a related field

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Gain practical experience and apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.

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Identify organizations or projects related to the course topic.
Reach out to the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Online Education & Course Planning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer plans, develops, and evaluates instructional and training materials such as courses, learning programs, and assessments. You may find this course helpful for understanding learning styles, principles of online education, and how to set learning objectives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Training Manager

A Training Manager oversees training and development programs for employees. This course may be helpful if you want to understand best practices in course planning and how to teach online.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training Manager

Educational Consultant

An Educational Consultant provides guidance and support to educational institutions and students. This course may be helpful if you want to provide guidance on educational issues related to online education.

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Learning and Development Specialist

A Learning and Development Specialist plans, develops, and delivers training programs to improve employee performance. This course may help you build your knowledge of online learning and teaching strategies.

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Curriculum Developer

A Curriculum Developer designs and develops educational programs and materials. This course may be helpful if you want to develop curriculums for online courses.

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Instructional Technologist

An Instructional Technologist integrates technology into educational settings to enhance teaching and learning. This course may be helpful if you want to learn about different modes of online courses and how to create effective learning experiences online.

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Online Course Instructor

An Online Course Instructor develops and teaches online courses. This course may help you learn about the fundamentals of online education and how to create effective online courses.

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Instructional Coach

An Instructional Coach supports teachers and other educators in improving their teaching practices. This course may be helpful if you want to learn about online teaching strategies and how to support other educators.

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Educational Researcher

An Educational Researcher conducts research on educational issues and practices. This course may be helpful if you want to learn about the research on the quality of online education.

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Academic Administrator

An Academic Administrator manages the academic operations of an educational institution. This course may be helpful if you want to understand the growth of online education and its impact on higher education.

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Dean of Online Education

A Dean of Online Education oversees the development and implementation of online programs at an educational institution. This course may be useful for understanding the different models of online courses and how to plan and manage online programs.

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Faculty Developer

A Faculty Developer provides support and resources to faculty members to improve their teaching. This course may be helpful if you want to learn about the principles and strategies of online education.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates documentation and other materials to explain technical information to users. This course may be useful for understanding how to write clear and effective instructions for online courses.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects. This course may be useful for managing projects related to online education and course planning.

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