10 Tips to Continuously Improve Online Course Design

Want to make your online courses better? Here's how:

Get student feedback often
Keep up with new teaching tech
Make courses easy for all to use
Make courses work well on phones
Add videos and interactive parts
Improve how you test students
Help students work together online
Fit courses to each student
Make courses easy to use
Check and update course materials regularly

Why bother? Better courses = better learning. Students learn faster, stay interested, and use what they learn.

Here's a quick look at what each tip means:

Tip	What It Means
Get feedback	Use surveys and course data
New tech	Try AI tools and interactive platforms
Easy for all	Use clear structure and multiple formats
Mobile-friendly	Adjust layout and use short lessons
Interactive	Mix videos, podcasts, and games
Better tests	Use different types of questions
Collaboration	Set up group work and discussions
Personalization	Use smart tech to fit each student's needs
User-friendly	Organize content well and use clear navigation
Stay current	Review and update content regularly

Remember: Small, regular updates beat big overhauls. Keep evolving, and your students will stick around.

Get Student Feedback Often

Getting regular input from students is crucial for improving online courses. Here's how to do it effectively:

Use Surveys

Surveys are a quick way to gather lots of feedback. Don't just wait until the end of the course, though. Try these:

Give students 10-15 minutes in class for digital surveys
Explain why their feedback matters weeks before the survey
Show how you've used past feedback to improve courses
Offer a small reward for completing surveys

When creating surveys:

Clearly state the purpose at the top
Ask focused questions
Mix closed and open-ended questions
Skip demographic questions to boost response rates

"If students know you'll read and consider their feedback, they're more likely to complete the evaluation." - Clemson Online

Check Course Data

Numbers can reveal a lot about your course's performance:

When students log in
How often they view specific content
Discussion board activity

"Pocket data analytics let instructors address student problems before they impact learning and performance." - John Vivolo, NYU

Use this data to help students who might be struggling, without singling them out.

Don't forget other feedback methods:

One-on-one interviews for deeper insights
Beta testing with a small group
Checking built-in reviews on platforms like Udemy

2. Keep Up with New Teaching Tech

The online learning world moves fast. Here's how to stay on top of it:

Find New Online Learning Tools

Focus on these game-changers:

AI tools: Heights Platform's AI features speed up course creation and boost SEO.
Interactive platforms: Edpuzzle lets you spice up videos with questions and comments.
Bite-sized learning: Break lessons into chunks. Why? People only focus for about 47 seconds on one screen.

Top AI Tools for Course Creation (September 2024)

Rank	Tool	Use
2	ChatGPT	Generates course content
20	Copilot	Helps with coding and tech stuff
47	Perplexity	Fact-checks and researches

Go to Online Teaching Events

Why bother? You'll:

Discover new tools
Steal ideas from other teachers
Spot upcoming trends

"EdTech market: $340 billion in 2023, $605 billion by 2027." - Recent market research

The takeaway? Things change FAST. Stay updated to give your students the best.

3. Make Courses Easy for All to Use

Want to boost online learning? Make your courses work for everyone. Here's how:

Design for Everyone

Clear structure: Chunk content with headers. It helps all students, especially those with learning disabilities.

Captions and transcripts: Make videos work for deaf students and non-native speakers.

Smart font choices:

Go for Sans Serif (Arial, Helvetica)
Skip Serif (Times New Roman)
Size matters: 12-14px minimum, 18px+ for large text

Color contrast: Follow WCAG guidelines:

Normal text: 4.5:1 ratio
Large text and UI: 3:1 ratio

Multiple formats: Give students options.

Format	Example
Text	Articles, summaries
Audio	Podcasts, narrated slides
Visual	Infographics, charts
Video	Lectures, demonstrations

Easy navigation: Consistent layout helps students find what they need.

Keyboard-friendly: Make everything accessible without a mouse.

Alt text: Describe images for screen readers.

Flexible assignments: Let students show learning their way:

Write a paper
Record a podcast
Create a video

These changes don't just help students with disabilities. They make your course better for EVERYONE.

"Universal Design for Learning (UDL) gives all students an equal shot at success. It's flexible in how they access material, engage with it, and show what they know."

4. Make Courses Work Well on Phones

Let's face it: everyone's glued to their phones. So, your courses need to shine on small screens. Here's how:

Adjust Course Layout for Small Screens

Phone screens are tiny. Your course layout needs to shrink down smart:

Stack content vertically
Center the important stuff
Make it easy to tap

Here's a quick guide for sizing:

Element	Size (pixels)
Buttons	44x44 minimum
Font	16 minimum
Spacing	10-20 between elements

Use Short Lessons

Mobile learners are busy. They study in quick bursts. So:

Break content into 1-2 minute chunks
Focus on one idea per screen
Use bullet points and short paragraphs

Instead of a long video, make lots of short clips. It's like serving tapas instead of a big meal.

Pro tip: Add a "Save progress" feature. It's like a bookmark for your course.

5. Add Videos and Interactive Parts

Mix up your content to keep students hooked. Here's how:

Use Different Types of Media

Videos: Short clips (3-10 minutes) for complex ideas or how-tos.
Podcasts: Perfect for learning on-the-go.
Images: Infographics and charts to explain visually.

"Video content gives life to 'how-to' concepts that may be difficult to explain, particularly benefiting visual learners." - Allegro Media Design

Add Games and Practice Activities

Make learning fun:

Quizzes: Use Kahoot (starts at $3.99/teacher/month) for engaging tests.
Simulations: Let students practice in a safe, virtual space.
Branching scenarios: Create "choose-your-own-adventure" lessons.

Element	Purpose	Example
Quizzes	Check understanding	Multiple-choice after videos
Simulations	Practice skills	Virtual science lab
Branching scenarios	Apply knowledge	Business decision-making exercise

6. Improve How You Test Students

Testing in online courses isn't just about quizzes. Mix up your methods to really check if students get it.

Use Different Types of Tests

Quick, Low-Stakes Quizzes: Sprinkle short quizzes throughout. They help students remember stuff and spot what they don't know.
Open-Ended Questions: Ask essay-style questions. Students explain things in their own words, showing if they really understand.
Interactive Tests: Try drag-and-drop or hotspot questions. They're fun and great for visual learners.
Peer Reviews: Let students check each other's work. It makes them think harder about the material.

Here's a quick look at test types and why they're good:

Test Type	Why It's Good	Example
Multiple-Choice	Fast to grade, checks memory	Quiz after each module
Essay Questions	Tests deep thinking, lets students explain	Analyzing a case study
Drag-and-Drop	Visual, hands-on, tests real-world use	Labeling a diagram
Peer Review	Makes students think critically, gives different viewpoints	Checking classmates' project ideas

"Assessing knowledge at the end of each learning module allows us to understand any gaps we may have in our program." - Kim Borden, Content Marketing University

To keep tests interesting:

Mix up question order
Use time limits
Give instant feedback

Make sure your tests match what you're teaching. It's all about checking if students really get it, not just memorizing facts.

7. Help Students Work Together Online

Online courses don't have to be lonely. Adding group work and discussions can boost learning and build community.

Plan Group Work and Talks

Here's how to get students collaborating:

Use breakout rooms: Zoom saw a 2,900% jump in breakout room use in March 2022. These small groups allow deep dives into topics.
Set up online study groups: Keep them small (3-5 people) and short (45-60 minutes). Stick to one platform like Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Create shared documents: Google Docs or ClickUp let students edit together in real-time. Great for brainstorming or project work.
Use discussion boards: Students can ask and answer questions, building a helpful community.
Add peer reviews: Sharpens critical thinking as students give feedback on each other's work.

Some useful tools:

Tool	Best for	Key Feature
Zoom	Video calls	Breakout rooms
ClickUp	Project management	Collaborative Docs
Rocket.Chat	Instant messaging	Topic-based channels
Figma	Visual collaboration	Real-time design editing
MURAL	Brainstorming	Virtual whiteboards

Group work matters online, too. The Online Learning Consortium found 97% of students felt more engaged in courses with collaborative elements.

"Collaboration prepares students for future workplaces by teaching them to resolve complex problems and work in groups, which is crucial for employability and career success." - Online Learning Consortium

For smooth group work:

Set clear session goals
Assign a moderator
Create online behavior rules
Pick the right tools for your course

8. Fit Courses to Each Student

Online courses shine when they match student needs. Here's how to make it happen:

Use Smart Learning Tech

Smart tech can personalize lessons. Here's the breakdown:

1. Assess student skills

Quick tests at course start show where students stand.

2. Create custom paths

Test results shape lesson paths:

Student Level	Learning Path
Beginner	Basics, more practice
Intermediate	Skip intro, new concepts
Advanced	Challenges, extra topics

3. Use AI-powered tools

These adapt lessons based on performance. Struggling? Get extra help or simpler examples.

4. Track progress

Monitor student performance and tweak paths as needed.

5. Offer choices

Let students pick their learning style - videos, text, or both.

"Adaptive learning technology expands an instructor's capacity to improve learning outcomes for every single student." - Smart Sparrow

The goal? Help students learn at their own pace. It leads to better results and happier learners.

Take the University of Texas at El Paso. They used adaptive learning to revamp biology courses. The outcome? Lessons that fit student needs better.

Tailoring courses to each student can:

Boost engagement
Improve completion rates
Speed up learning

9. Make Courses Easy to Use

A well-organized course boosts student success. Here's how to make your online course user-friendly:

Organize Course Content Well

Good layout helps students find what they need fast. Here's how:

1. Use clear modules

Break your course into weekly or topic-based modules:

Week	Topic
1	Course Intro
2	Basic Concepts
3	Advanced Topics
4	Final Project

2. Create a 'Start Here' section

Help students jump in quickly with:

Welcome video
Course outline
How to get help

3. Use descriptive titles

Make lesson titles clear. "Introduction to SEO Basics" beats "Lesson 1".

4. Add a progress bar

Show students how far they've come. It keeps them going.

5. Embed videos

Keep students in your course. Don't send them elsewhere.

6. Use consistent navigation

Put buttons and links in the same spot on each page.

7. Make a course map

Give students a bird's-eye view. Use a simple list or visual flowchart.

8. Limit scrolling and clicking

Keep it short. Use links to split long pages.

9. Get feedback

Have a friend test your course. They'll spot things you missed.

10. Use white space

Don't cram pages full of text. Let your content breathe.

A user-friendly course helps students focus on learning, not hunting for info. As Eric Loepp, Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, says:

"A well-managed, well-crafted, clear and understandable Canvas page can be a godsend when working remote."

Keep it simple. Einstein had it right:

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."

Keep tweaking based on student feedback. A user-friendly course = happier, more successful learners.

10. Check and Update Course Materials Regularly

Keeping your online course fresh is crucial. Here's how:

Make Sure Content is Up-to-Date

1. Set a review schedule

Check your course at least twice a year. Here's a simple plan:

Review Type	Frequency	Focus Areas
Quick Scan	Monthly	Broken links, typos
Deep Dive	Quarterly	Content relevance, new trends
Full Audit	Yearly	Course structure, learning outcomes

2. Use student feedback

Course surveys and comments are goldmines. They'll show you what needs work.

3. Stay industry-current

Keep up with your field. Update examples and case studies.

4. Check analytics

Spot the tricky parts. They might need a refresh.

5. Update tech

Make sure your course works with new apps and platforms.

6. Refresh visuals

Keep images, graphs, and videos current.

7. Meet standards

Align with current educational benchmarks.

8. Cut the old stuff

Ditch outdated info. Keep it lean.

9. Add new elements

Throw in fresh quizzes or projects. Keep students engaged.

10. Get peer reviews

Fresh eyes catch what you might miss.

Small, regular updates beat big overhauls. Keep evolving, and your students will stick around.

"Updated content shows you care and know your stuff, making your course the top pick." - Lahcen Bouya, Instructor

Conclusion

Keeping online courses fresh isn't optional—it's crucial for teachers who want to stay effective. Here's why it matters:

It helps students learn better and achieve more
It keeps your course competitive and can boost sales
It keeps students engaged with new tools and methods
It prepares learners for today's job market

To keep improving your courses:

Review and update quarterly
Use student feedback
Follow industry trends
Try new teaching tech
Get peer reviews

Small, frequent updates often beat big overhauls. It's about progress, not perfection.

"Online learning is the future of education. Designing effective online courses is crucial for every educator."

This process might seem tough, but it pays off. You'll see better engagement, higher completion rates, and stronger outcomes.

Start improving your course today. Your future students are counting on you.

FAQs

How to improve an online course?

Want to make your online course better? Here's how:

Clear goals: Tell students what they'll learn upfront.
Easy navigation: Make sure students know how to use your course.
Fresh assessments: Keep your tests up-to-date and relevant.
Active learning: Add quizzes and group work to keep things interesting.
Personal touch: Get to know your students' needs through surveys.

"The syllabus is vital, because that's the contract between the teacher and the student." - Professor Richard Powers

10 Tips to Continuously Improve Online Course Design