As the world increasingly turns to online education, instructors are tasked with creating courses that not only teach effectively but also engage and inspire. Whether you're teaching a class remotely, or building your own course for a broader audience, there are certain qualities that can elevate your offering from average to exceptional. But what truly makes an online course stand out?
Drawing from real-world experiences shared by Sherpo creators gathering feedback, from the Web, and from Hacker News, we have compiled a set of insights to help you create an amazing online course. These tips are rooted in practical wisdom from both the best and worst online learning experiences, helping you design courses that are engaging, effective, and memorable.
One of the most consistent themes among learners is the pivotal role of the instructor. Regardless of the subject, the best courses are often those taught by instructors who can clearly explain complex concepts and structure their material in a logical progression. A well-organized course enables learners to build their understanding step by step, fostering both confidence and engagement.
Clear Explanations Matter
The best instructors can break down difficult concepts into digestible pieces, explaining them in ways that even novice learners can understand. The ability to distill complex ideas without overwhelming students is an art—and it's one that separates excellent courses from mediocre ones. On the flip side, courses that throw advanced concepts at students too quickly, without laying a proper foundation, often leave learners frustrated.
Pro tip: Before you begin creating content, ask yourself if you're truly making the material accessible to a wide range of learners. Can someone with little prior knowledge grasp your explanations? Are your lessons scaffolded in a way that builds understanding over time? Clarity is key.
A course that connects theory to real-world applications will always win students' attention. When learners can see how abstract ideas relate to everyday life or their future careers, their motivation increases, and retention improves.
Bring Theory to Life
Practical examples allow students to visualize the application of what they're learning. For example, in a data science course, using relatable case studies—such as analyzing sports statistics or evaluating business performance—can make dry material come alive. This is particularly important in fields that may seem theoretical or abstract, as it helps bridge the gap between academic concepts and their practical implications.
Several students have highlighted the value of humor as well. A dash of well-placed humor can help make dry or dense material more palatable. However, this is subjective—while some students appreciate humor, others find it distracting. If you can do it naturally, humor might help lighten the atmosphere, but it shouldn’t overshadow the learning objectives.
Pro tip: Don’t hesitate to integrate examples from your own professional experiences or include guest speakers who can offer real-world insights. Relating the material to practical scenarios not only boosts engagement but also helps learners internalize complex ideas. Remember to include a few anecdotes, but not too many–one per chapter seems to be the sweet point!
Effective learning isn't always easy—nor should it be. Some of the most impactful courses are those that challenge learners to think critically and apply what they’ve learned. However, there's a fine line between challenging students and leaving them feeling lost.
Aim for Meaningful Hurdles
In courses like computer science, students often recall the satisfaction of solving complex problems that push their understanding. A well-designed course offers assignments that stoke curiosity, stretch mental muscles, and foster genuine learning. It's important to ensure that assignments are intellectually stimulating without being confusing or busywork. The goal is to challenge students to think deeply, not simply to frustrate them with unclear expectations or irrelevant tasks.
Conversely, some learners report courses that prioritize rote memorization or unnecessarily tedious exercises, which detracts from the overall experience. Assignments should be carefully crafted to promote critical thinking, not just repetition.
Pro tip: Consider implementing quizzes and assignments, where students can apply their skills to solve real-world problems. This allows for deep engagement without the pitfalls of "busy work".
One of the biggest differentiators between a good course and an exceptional one is the quality of feedback provided. Many learners expressed frustration with courses that lack meaningful interaction with instructors or TAs. When students are left to navigate their misunderstandings alone, their motivation can quickly diminish.
Make Feedback Part of the Learning Process
A course that offers frequent, constructive feedback helps students identify and correct mistakes in real-time. Auto-graded quizzes are an efficient way to provide immediate feedback, but they shouldn't be the only method of evaluation. For more complex assignments, providing personalized feedback can significantly enhance the learning experience.
Many students also appreciate teachers who create communities in Discord or other places, where they can ask questions, receive answers from TAs or peers, and engage in discussions. These online forums not only support learning but also foster a sense of community among students.
Pro tip: If you don't have the bandwidth to provide individual feedback for every assignment, consider implementing peer reviews or automated feedback tools for smaller tasks. Ensure that students still have access to expert help for more complex or critical assignments.
One commonly overlooked element of online course design is production quality. As more learners shift to digital formats, their expectations have grown. High production value-clear audio, crisp visuals, and well-edited videos-can make a significant difference in how a course is received.
Invest in the Basics
It may seem obvious, but clear audio is essential. Poor audio quality is a major turnoff for many students. Investing in a good microphone, ensuring your visuals are clean and legible, and keeping videos well-paced are simple steps that dramatically improve the learner experience. Even if your content is exceptional, poor production can detract from its impact.
Videos don't need to be overly polished, but they should meet a basic standard of professionalism. Students appreciate visuals that complement the teaching, such as diagrams, illustrations, or slides that help reinforce key points.
Pro tip: Keep your videos concise-most students prefer videos under 15 minutes. Attention spans tend to wane after that, especially for dense material. Break longer topics into shorter segments to keep the content digestible.
Successful online courses go beyond passive video lectures. They integrate interactive tools that keep students engaged and encourage active learning.
Quizzes, Forums, and More
Interactive quizzes, especially those that provide instant feedback, are an excellent way to keep students engaged between lessons. However, avoid designing quizzes that merely test for memorization. Instead, focus on questions that require students to apply their knowledge, thereby deepening their understanding.
Discussion forums also enhance engagement. These platforms give students a space to ask questions, discuss topics with their peers, and share insights. Additionally, integrating platforms for project submissions can create a more collaborative learning environment.
Pro tip: Consider integrating tutorials, forums, or wikis directly into the course platform. This allows students to access resources, collaborate, and ask questions all in one place, without the distraction of multiple systems.
A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works in online education. It's important to design your course with your specific audience in mind. Are your learners first-year college students or professionals looking to upskill? Are they familiar with the subject matter, or are they complete novices?
Tailor Your Course to Your Learners
Understanding your audience means designing a course that matches their needs. For example, advanced students may appreciate more challenging assignments that push them to the next level, while beginners might need more foundational work to build their confidence.
A common complaint among experienced learners is the requirement to sit through introductory material they already know. For this reason, offering optional sections, cheat sheets, or shortcuts for advanced students can make your course more efficient and enjoyable.
Pro tip: Consider offering different tracks or paths within your course to accommodate learners at various skill levels. This allows more experienced students to skip ahead without penalizing beginners who need more guidance.
One final tip is to ensure that your course content stays up-to-date. Fields like technology, data science, and business evolve quickly, and outdated examples or irrelevant assignments can make your course feel stale.
Update Regularly If your course is available for a long time, make a habit of reviewing and updating it regularly to ensure it remains relevant. This could mean adding new examples, updating statistics, or integrating new research findings. Students are more likely to engage with content that feels current and connected to the latest industry trends.
Pro tip: Pay attention to student feedback—what’s working and what isn’t. Use this input to refine your course for future offerings.
Designing an exceptional online course takes more than just recording a series of lectures.
It requires thoughtful planning, a deep understanding of your learners, and a commitment to creating engaging, interactive, and challenging content. By focusing on clarity, practical examples, meaningful feedback, production quality, and interactive tools, you can create a learning experience that not only educates but inspires.
Whether you're teaching a university-level course or building your own online course, these insights from real learners will help you create content that stands out and makes a lasting impact on your students.
Giacomo Di Pinto
Aug 8, 2024
6m reading time
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