How to Create a Clear and Engaging Content Outline for Your Online Course -
The process of creating an online course more of an art form than an art or science. There's no set formula for success--but there are a few factors that successful courses share in their common. One of these elements is an outline for the course.
A clear, engaging outline for content can benefit the students and you when you begin to plan the new curriculum. Making an outline may help ensure your course content aligns with your goals to your learners.
Wondering how to get started creating your outline? In this blog we'll guide you through every step to build a winning course outline.
What's a Course outline?
The outline of your course defines the contents of your class. It provides the game plan when you start laying the lessons, sections or quizzes as well as other materials you intend to incorporate into the course.
It's tempting to ignore the outline and dive right into creating content for your course--but do not give into that desire. The outline can help make sure you've got a well-constructed program before you go into the process too deeply.
A step-by-step course outline guide
Beginning is the toughest phase of starting any new project. The good news is that you do not have to spin your wheels on your outline for your course. The simple steps will take you from concept of course to outline quickly.
1. Find your students and identify their goals.
Begin by focusing your attention and pinpointing the students that are taking the course.
Some questions to consider:
- Who are your learners?
- What are they trying to accomplish?
- What is it that they are struggling with?
- What will you teach them to help students achieve the goals they have set?
By asking yourself these questions, you will sharpen your focus and ensure you're on the right track when you develop an outline specifically for the needs of your target audience.
2. Create a plan for the outcome you want to achieve.
Once you've pinpointed your students and their motivations and goals, you're now able to design the framework to help them reach their goals. Maybe their goal is to be able to speak a few expressions in Italian by the time they finish the class; maybe the goal is to obtain a professional certification.
Consider the map as a bare-bones first draft of your plan. It is a simple map of the path from the beginning to the final destination of your route.
Related article: How to structure an online course
The first step should be a simple introduction. What ever your subject Every course should start with an overview of the important ideas. Remember: Your learners may not be starting with the same idea. Some students may need a quick overview before diving into course content.
Make use of scaffolding strategies when you are identifying the next sections of your course roadmap. When you are completing your course, you must be aware of your course's progression. Your sections should serve as foundational blocks, which start with simple and move toward more complex ideas. Don't introduce a complicated subject or concept to early in your class and work up to the big learnings.
3. Reinforce learning.
Following each step of your roadmap for content You'll need to include something that will help make learning stick for your students.
What does this look like? This could include a review at the end of each section with links to other reading materials video, resources, or other materials. It could also mean a quizzing of students after each section to assess their comprehension. Also, you could end each chapter with an essay in which students are able to put their knowledge into practice.
4. Begin to put the pieces together.
After you've drawn out the outline of your course It's now time to flesh out your outline for your course by defining parts and titles for your lessons.
In each portion of your course, consider these aspects:
- What medium will be used? Will the section be presented in text or video, or a combination of both?
- What will be your key points of conversation during each lesson? What information do you need to convey?
- How does this section build on the preceding sections? How does it segue into the next section?
- How does this section tie to the learner's objectives?
You'll now have a a thorough content outline to your course. The only thing left to do is the final part: creating your own course.