The Myth about Online Course Development - Summary

The Myth about Online Course Development

“Online instruction is more than a series of readings posted to a Web site; it requires deliberate instructional design that hinges on linking learning objectives to specific learning activities and measureable outcomes.” (Oblinger, 2006, p 15)

Online courses should be more than just a face-to-face class put onto a website. They suggest that it takes more than an instructor to design an effective online course. That a faculty member along with an instructional designer or even more people in order to form a team. It is suggested that by doing this each one can look at things from their own unique perspective.

When designing the course the team should look at four questions. These questions include items such as how to use the instructors, what about investment within the course, is content or the learning environment more important, and what kind of return do we want to see. By looking at things as a team, they believe that institutions can develop the more effective courses.

They suggest members of a team not individuals develop online courses. They believe that this is the most effective approach.

Oblinger, D. G., & Hawkins, B. L. (2006). The myths about online course development: "A faculty member can individually develop and deliver an effective online course. Educause. January/February, 14-15.