Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/promising-directions-for-early-childhood-professional-development/5015089/
As higher education institutions scramble to put traditional face-to-face courses online the quality of the content, instructional design, learning experience, and student support can vary. Before you enroll in an online course, be sure to consider the following:Content and Instructional Design
- Instructor's training and online teaching experience
- Course format and delivery system that match your learning style, needs, interests - preview a course web site
- Ease of use - user-friendly interface, simple login, easy and logical navigation, access to materials, resources, and virtual library
Learning Experience
- Easy access to your instructor - virtual office hours, e-mail, telephone
- Clear expectations and directions and timely feedback from instructor
- Friendly, accessible learning community
- Interactions with instructor and students
Student Support / Customer Service
- Technology requirements identified
- Self-assessment available - Are Online Courses for Me?
- Easy access to technical support - 24/7 HelpLine, Online HelpDesk)