The success of any eLearning course depends on 5 key factors and your understanding of how they influence students’ experiences.
Technology
Participants’ abilities to work with various technologies used in eLearning such as video conferencing software, learning management systems, and word processing programs in a productive and efficient manner can make or break an online learning experience. In order to be successful, teachers and learners must have basic knowledge of the platforms, tools and resources used to deliver these courses.
Pedagogy
Great teaching is great teaching whether it’s online or face to face. The instructor’s mastery of the processes, practices and methods of adult teaching and learning is a predictor of student success.
Content
This comprises an instructor’s understanding of the subject to be taught including the concepts, theories, ideas, frameworks, debates, practices and approaches that define it. When instructors are masters of their crafts, they can better transform the subject matter for learning.
Audience
Recognizing the unique realities, cultural and religious backgrounds of learners and how these factors may impact their learning helps instructors build a sense of community within a course. Understanding the audience of a course also includes the instructor’s ability to tailor the material to the learners’ level (i.e. high school, undergraduate, graduate).
McGill School of Continuing Studies Mission and Goals
Recognizing the wider context in which your course exists and being able to articulate how it fits into the mosaic is an important step in making sure that your course adheres to the School of Continuing Studies’ mission, goals and values.