How do you design a syllabus so that the training is effective and successful?
1 The programme starts with learning objectives: the simplest option is to create a course programme based on the learning materials you already have. For example, this is how they work when converting a face-to-face course into an online format: take the content, break it up into blocks, read it out in webinar format, add practical exercises
2 Think of the practice first, then the theory
How do you determine which theory knowledge to include in an online course? It's best to start with practice. You already know what the final result of the course should be. In the next step, you decide what kind of practice will help students to form and consolidate the necessary skills and achieve the goal. And then you decide what knowledge of theory will be needed to complete the practical tasks.
3 Cascade the learning objectives from the module to each lesson
When creating the programme, make sure that each module of learning - and each lesson - gets you closer to the goal. Spell out the goals and objectives for each webinar to make sure each one builds seamlessly into the overall logic of the course.
4 Build the logic of the topics
There are many methods
https://mylearninghub.com/products/authoring-tool to build the logic of an online course. Here are three of the simplest, which are also suitable for beginners:
From the particular to the whole. Students learn individual elements of knowledge in order to build the whole picture out of them, like puzzles. For example, children learn letters first, then syllables, in order to be able to put words together and then learn to read.
From simple to complex tasks. This is the way programmers are trained: first they learn to write, let's say, simple code to move on to more complex tasks.
5 Think of the extras
Accompany the lessons with extra material that will help students, if they want, to go deeper into the subject. Longreads, supplementary videos, books, checklists are suitable. It is also very useful to write a short summary of the webinar after each session.
6 Build a motivational strategy
Consider what you will use in an online course to keep students motivated to learn. This could be elements of gamification, a support system (tutors, tutors who check homework and help the student reach the end of the course), a series of motivational letters.
7 Outline intermediate control points
It would be a big mistake to check the knowledge of online course participants once, only at the end of the course, when you no longer have the opportunity to correct what has gone wrong. So, when you are putting together a programme, plan for intermediate control points. It may be worth taking time after each module or after significant topics to assess what has already been learned and what remains to be learned.
