Updating an Online Course
From ElateWiki
To maintain online course relevance, course designers and instructors continually upgrade their online courses. Different colleges and universities use different course update schedules, with many suggesting six-month or annual cycles. Some distance learning systems maintain shared courses that are inherited and versioned by different faculty members, and these courses may be updated individually or by the lead instructor. Various aspects of an online course may be considered during an update.
Contents |
[edit] Contents
One of the most volatile aspects of an e-learning course is its contents. New research is continually coming online. Different digital resources may be available from various universities or organizations. Different domain fields of knowledge may change paradigms at the most extreme.
[edit] Open-Source Resources and Links
Various digital libraries, repositories, referatories and university sites are offering curricular materials for free and open use. Integrating relevant new materials may enhance a course.
[edit] Learner Needs
The learners for a particular curriculum may also evolve. Changing demographics affect learners. The knowledge base or cumulative learning of new learners, their language skill sets, and other factors will affect how a curriculum should be adapted for greater efficacy.
As online courses mature, they include more contents for outliers on the learning bell curve--for both novice learners on one end and expert learners on the other.
Some redesigns involve consideration of cultural sensitivities among learners (Hai-Jew, 2008).
[edit] Technologies
New authoring tools may change the kinds of digital artifacts that may be created for a particular course. These may include slideshows, memory games, simulations, digital imagery types, sound files, video files, and other elements.
Different teaching and learning systems (like learning / course management systems) will evolve. These systems affect how the learning may be packaged and delivered.
Differing standards for interoperability and portability of digital learning objects will also lead to changes in technology designs, scripting, and digital content outputs.
[edit] Versioning
Some online courses may be delivered as parts of hybrid or blended learning. Others may have modules or discrete contents delivered as a half-day tutorial or hour-long presentation. Some academic contents may become part of a commercial training in industry. Any of these changes may require redesign.
[edit] Policy Changes
A course redesign may include changes based on changing university policies and practices.
Revisions and additions to domain field ethics and professional practices will affect how a course is delivered, the assignments taught, and the approaches of the instructors.
[edit] Legal Considerations
As legal rules change--regarding intellectual property, regarding accessibility--course contents will have to change.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
Hai-Jew, S. (2008). Culturally targeted online course redesigns for English Composition and Research Writing: A Case Study. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching. Retrieved Feb. 15, 2009, at http://jolt.merlot.org/vol4no1/hai-jew0308.htm.