Refining My Online Course: Implementing Feedback for a Better Learning Experience
Creating an engaging and accessible online course is an evolving process. It was really helpful to get feedback, both generally during class and more specifically from my two reviewers. This feedback plays a crucial role in refining both content and structure. After reflecting on the feedback I received, I am making several intentional changes to improve my existing prototype/course shell and in the development of my second module.
Implementing Changes Based on Feedback
- Clear Course Structure to Reduce Overwhelm
One of the key pieces of feedback was ensuring that students don’t feel overwhelmed when they first access the course on Google Classroom. To address this, I will include a welcome message in Google Classroom that clearly explains how the course is structured, what to expect, and where to find resources. This will help students navigate the course with confidence. 😊
- Ensuring Access to Printed Materials
One reviewer expressed concerns about reliable internet access while working remotely. To support this issue, I will encourage students to print out coursework in the library when they collect their textbook (and laptop, if needed) before they leave. This way, they can continue their learning uninterrupted, regardless of their WiFi situation. 📖
- Structured, Meaningful Interactions
In my experiences, engagement in online courses can sometimes feel transactional, especially when discussion prompts are overused! When these prompts appear too frequently, students tend to complete them as a task/chore rather than engage in meaningful discussion. Therefore, that is why I do not include Padlets in each one of the modules, but instead, only add them when I believe that they would be beneficial for students. For my next module, I will be sure to include a Padlet, so that my reviewers can see how I would structure one!
- Increasing Engagement Through Multimedia
To set the stage for each module and spark interest, it was recommended by a reviewer that I integrate a short TikTok video, meme, or other engaging media at the beginning of each module. This is a small but effective thing to add!
- Emphasizing Course-Level Outcomes
One final point I want to clarify is that while the course as a whole meets all required learning outcomes for the Chemistry unit in Science 9, individual modules or lessons may not. Each module contributes to the overall learning outcomes by including indicators. This is feedback that I got that I would not change in my course because my approach ensures that each module remains focused and digestible while still aligning with the broader curriculum.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM USERS – CHECK THIS OUT!
Ensuring your online course is accessible to all students is crucial for fostering an inclusive learning environment. I found this accessibility review of Google Classroom. Here’s a summary of the key takeaways that I will be including in my next module (there are more, so take a peek at the article!):
- Utilize Keyboard Navigation
Google Classroom supports keyboard navigation – enabling users to navigate without a mouse. This allows course materials and activities to be accessible via keyboard shortcuts that may assist students with mobility impairments. Here is an extensive list of keyboard shortcuts that can be summarized for your specific set of students!
- Ensure Screen Reader Compatibility
Here’s a little Quick Guide for Online Course Accessibility!
- Provide Closed Captions for Videos
Upload closed captions for all instructional videos. This not only benefits students who are deaf or hard of hearing, but enhances comprehension for all learners. Here’s a quick video on how to add closed captioning to your YouTube videos!
I welcome ongoing feedback and look forward to seeing how my second module turns out!
I love the thoughtful changes you’re implementing! The welcome message in Google Classroom is a great touch helping students feel more confident and less overwhelmed from the start will make a big difference. Also, the idea of encouraging students to print coursework ahead of time is a fantastic solution for those with unreliable internet. I totally agree with your approach to Padlets as well—meaningful engagement is key, and I appreciate that you’re being mindful about not overusing them. The addition of multimedia, like TikTok videos and memes, is such a fun way to spark interest and make the learning experience more dynamic. It sounds like you’re on track to create a really engaging and accessible course! Also, thanks for sharing the Google Classroom accessibility tips.
I’m sure they’ll be super helpful for others looking to make their courses more inclusive.
Keep up the great work! 😊
Thank you, Dwayne!
I’ve been trying to put myself in the students’ shoes and think about what would help them feel more comfortable and supported right from the start – so it’s great to hear the welcome message and course prep suggestions resonated with you.
Thanks, Christina! Your ideas show a lot of thoughtful attention to the feedback you received. I feel like the accessibility topic last week was an eye-opener for many of us, as it may have been something we initially overlooked in our excitement to create our courses. I really appreciate the links you shared. While some are specific to Google Classroom, I think they can be useful in other LMS platforms as well.
The idea of clearly presenting learning outcomes to students seems so simple, yet it can have a significant impact. I may be misremembering my Science 9 and other high school classes—it was more than a hot minute ago—but I don’t recall ever seeing learning outcomes explicitly laid out. I do remember often wondering, What do they even want us to learn? What’s going to be tested? Clearly defining and presenting learning outcomes can help answer those questions for students, giving them a clearer sense of direction and expectations.
Thanks so much! I felt the same way about the accessibility topic – it really opened my eyes to things I hadn’t thought about before. I will take your experiences with learning outcomes into account! Thank you!
hanks for sharing this thoughtful reflection, and wow , it’s clear you’ve really taken the feedback seriously and are making purposeful changes that will genuinely improve the student experience. Here are a few thoughts in response:
Balancing Structure and Flexibility Your plan to encourage students to print materials when they pick up their resources is so considerate, especially in the context of digital equity. This shows a strong understanding of learners’ varied contexts, which is often overlooked in online course design. It’s great to see you thinking beyond the screen.
Overall, your course design is evolving in a really thoughtful way, and it’s clear that student experience is at the heart of what you’re doing. Keep up the amazing work, you’re not just refining a course, you’re crafting a more inclusive and engaging learning journey. 🙌
Thanks, Adaeze! Over time, I will continue to tweak and adapt my online course to best suit my students’ needs! 🙂