Introduction to Online Learning

Client: TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs

Tech: Keynote, InDesign, Zoom

Description: Three hour Saturday workshop to teach to the essentials of online course creation, guiding participants through the journey from initial concept to successful publication. The session was designed for individuals and business owners eager to leverage their expertise into compelling online learning experiences. Focusing on the three pillars of Planning, Producing, and Publishing, I provided practical insights and methodologies to streamline the course development process.

Workshop Highlights:

• Planning Phase: We explore ideation techniques, course outline creation, and setting effective learning goals. This stage emphasizes aligning business objectives with educational outcomes to craft a structured and impactful learning journey.
• Producing Content: I share a suite of tools and strategies for content creation, with a special focus on video production. Participants gain tips and tricks to demystify the video creation process, ensuring their content is engaging and pedagogically sound.
• Publishing and Platform Selection: Discussing various course platforms and learning management systems, I advise on choosing the right platform for course delivery, emphasizing content organization and platform agnosticism to enhance course longevity and flexibility.
• Interactive Engagement: Encouraging real-time participation, attendees share course ideas and best learning experiences, fostering a collaborative learning environment. This interaction not only sparks creativity but also builds a community of practice among participants.

Click Here to view 10 minutes from this workshop.

Sample Q&A from the workshop:

Q: How do we validate before we invest too much time and resources?
A: To start validating, tell everyone about your idea, use your email list to send out the idea, and ask people to fill out a survey. Gauge their interest and gather feedback on their pain points. This will help you move toward validation quickly.

Q: How long should the modules and lessons be?
A: The length depends on your topic. Lessons should build to a takeaway related to your overall learning goals. For video content, aim for 3 to 6 minutes, as engagement significantly drops after six minutes. Lessons longer than 12 minutes should be broken into smaller segments.

Q: How do you keep scope in mind while researching?
A: Stay focused on the service to your learning goal. If new information doesn’t serve this goal, save it for later consideration. This approach keeps the course content relevant and structured.

Q: Is it possible to do a live training course and sell the recordings, or should it be pre-recorded?
A: Live training with sold recordings can work well. The structure may differ depending on whether it’s a workshop or a webinar. For online courses, shorter, structured content is preferable to maintain engagement.

Regarding Breaks and Engagement:

• Breaks are important to allow time for information digestion and to prepare for new content.
• Participant engagement can vary, and while some may leave during breaks, having a large audience can help maintain a rich experience for many.
• Offering entertainment or supplemental content during breaks can be beneficial, but it should not detract from the needed rest period.