How to set a structure for your online course

Your online course should follow a logical flow so that the student can easily follow and understand.

To begin structuring it, you can divide your plan into three parts: introduction, development, and conclusion.

Introduction

The purpose of the introduction is to introduce the course and motivate the student. For this, you can start with the following content:

• Presentation: Short video, with a maximum duration of 5 minutes. Introduce yourself, explain why you are the right person to teach the course, summarize what will be taught and what students will be able to do at the end of the course.
• Starter Class: Record a short starter class, which may be free to attract students. Introduce the topic and start with a general explanation of the subject and its importance.
• Engagement activity: The best way to create engagement is to involve students in the learning process. Create a hands-on activity that they can build on what they learned in their first class. Results are the best motivating element.

Development

This is the “stuffing” of your course, that is, what really matters. This part must include the entire content of the course, and it is recommended that it be divided into sections, modules or lessons, to facilitate the monitoring and learning process of the student. We suggest you include:

• Lessons: Each section must contain a learning objective and how many lessons are needed for the student to reach that objective. Use videos, texts, graphics and any other resource that can make the lessons more interesting and instructive.
• Practice activities and assessments: Include at least one practice activity and assessment per section to assess how well your students are doing and give them a chance to do the same. This can be done through questionnaires, written tests, assignments, among others.
• Support Materials: Deliver materials that support what you are saying in class and serve as a source of study and complement the topics covered. You can use third-party articles and publications, videos, checklists, spreadsheets, etc.

Conclusion

Finish your course in a remarkable way, challenging and encouraging your students to apply what they have learned.

• Final class: End with a class summary of everything that has been learned, congratulating your students for their dedication and thanking them for their trust. Make them feel fulfilled and able to apply the knowledge gained.
• Bonus class: If you like, include a bonus class as a gift and “teaser” for an upcoming course that you are thinking of developing or already have on sale.