How can you design better online or hybrid courses?

2 Choose your delivery mode and format

Once you have your goals and outcomes, you need to decide how you will deliver your online or hybrid course. This means choosing the mode and format of your course, which are the ways that you and your students will interact with the content, each other, and the instructor. The mode of your course can be synchronous, asynchronous, or a combination of both. Synchronous mode means that you and your students are online at the same time, while asynchronous mode means that you and your students can access the course at any time. The format of your course can be lecture-based, discussion-based, project-based, or a mix of different formats. The format of your course should match the type and level of learning that you want to achieve, as well as the preferences and needs of your students.

3 Select your tools and resources

After you have your mode and format, you need to select the tools and resources that you will use to deliver your online or hybrid course. This means choosing the platforms, applications, media, and materials that you and your students will use to access, create, share, and communicate the content. The tools and resources that you choose should be reliable, user-friendly, accessible, and compatible with your mode and format. They should also support your goals and outcomes, as well as the engagement and interaction of your students.

4 Design your activities and assessments

When you have your tools and resources, you need to design the activities and assessments that you will use to facilitate your online or hybrid course. This means creating the tasks, exercises, projects, quizzes, tests, and feedback that you and your students will use to engage with the content, apply the skills, demonstrate the learning, and monitor the progress. The activities and assessments that you design should be aligned with your goals and outcomes, as well as the mode and format of your course. They should also be varied, relevant, authentic, and challenging for your students.

5 Organize your structure and schedule

Before you launch your online or hybrid course, you need to organize the structure and schedule of your course. This means arranging the content, activities, and assessments into manageable and logical units, modules, or sections. It also means setting the deadlines, expectations, and policies for your course. The structure and schedule of your course should be clear, consistent, and flexible for you and your students. They should also be communicated and explained in your course syllabus, outline, or guide.

6 Evaluate and improve your course

After you launch your online or hybrid course, you need to evaluate and improve your course. This means collecting and analyzing the feedback, data, and evidence from your course. It also means reflecting and acting on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of your course. The evaluation and improvement of your course should be ongoing, systematic, and collaborative for you and your students. They should also be based on your goals and outcomes, as well as the best practices and standards of online and hybrid learning.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?