How to Make Learning Modules Online

More and more resources are available via the Internet as the amount of information online continues to grow. One area that is growing and expanding rapidly online is education. While colleges and universities began several years ago offering a few classes online each semester, most now provide students with the opportunity to get their entire degree online without ever setting foot on campus. Online classes and education have also become available to lower levels of education with high school, middle school and even grade school offering students the opportunity to learn using online learning modules.

Things You Will Need

Computer
Internet Access
Subject/Topic Knowledge

Step 1 Find software to support online learning. The two major software programs used for online education and learning are Moodle and Blackboard. These programs allow teachers to create learning modules for different subjects, which can include notes, text, research information, videos, audio files, assignments and more.
Step 2 Determine the audience for your module. Once you have the software to create your online learning module you need to figure out exactly who you are targeting. Learning modules created for grade school students must be much simpler and more hands-on than those that are used at the high school or college level.
Step 3 Consider different learning styles. Auditory, visual and tactile are the three major learning styles, and it’s important that as a teacher you cater your online learning modules to each style. Doing so helps your students learn materials regardless of whether they learn best through hearing, seeing or hands-on activities.
Step 4 Create activities. When creating online learning modules it’s important that you have activities that emphasize important points to be learned. This can include watching a video, reviewing a PowerPoint slide, researching on the Internet or completing a hands-on activity that students can do in their home. Just make sure that regardless of the activity any student going through the module can complete the activity at their location with supplies they have or can easily be purchased.
Step 5 Develop a testing method for the module. As a teacher you want to make sure that the students using your module are in fact learning what they need to. Establish some type of test, assignment or activity that can test what a student has learned.
Step 6 Make improvements to the module as needed. When students complete the module, including the testing method, take time to review the results. Find out what concepts students didn’t understand and make the appropriate adjustments to the module for future students.