10 TIPS to keep in mind while converting your paper course to a web-based
course
Choose the complexity of your course before you start. Your
online course can be a simple self-study tutorial or a virtual classroom
with interaction between instructors and students. You could even convert
your book into a PDF file which can be downloaded and printed.
Rework can be more time-consuming than starting from scratch. Follow
the development process as closely
as possible. This will facilitate feedback and evaluation at various
stages and therefore minimize rework. Test early and test often.
Think Compact - rewrite the course to make it as compact as
possible. Conversion of the course involves total redesign. Web users
are more impatient and will want you to get to the point quickly. This
will also help in promoting your pages since most keywords will come
towards the top of the page.
Chunk - Use plenty of subheadings. Chunk your content into
smaller, easy-to-digest pieces. Do all you can to make scanning the
page easier.
State clear objectives for the course and specify what the
students will be able to do after completing the course. Give them clear
guidelines with which they can evaluate their progress. Pre and post
quiz scripts can also be used.
Provide a print version without the menu bars, ads etc, making
maximum use of the print space. Fonts like Times New Roman are easier
to read on paper while other fonts like Verdana are easier to read on
screen.
Allow students to interact and share their information with
each other. Install a discussion forum/ message board. Students often
learn more from each other than from the instructor who is more of a
guide than a teacher.
Optimize graphics so they load as quickly as possible. Avoid
using media like sound and video which take long to load, unless they
are essential to reach the instructional objectives.
Design a simple, clear and intuitive navigation system. Minimize
the number of clicks to get to any page. Finalize a user-friendly
template in HTML. Then add the content into the HTML files. This
can save you a lot of time in rework.
Tell students in the beginning what to expect and what resources
(time, internet connection etc.) they will need. An online course is
not like a book where you can tell how much content is in it by its
size. Provide a certificate of completion or include other motivational
elements to keep them going till the end.
Alumni, student profile, calendars, instructors, quizzes and pre-tests
can add value to your course and keep students coming back for
more.
