How To Structure An Online Course To Create A Great User Experience
With the eLearning industry booming many people are looking to launch an online course but need to know how to structure an online course. Here’s how!
Hi Trish Davies, here, founder of Build Your AU and online coach. If you are looking to create an online training course you are probably wondering how to structure an online course.
Today I am going to cover how to structure your online course along with tips on how to create it. Before I do that I want to share something that I learned just a couple of days ago about the eLearning industry.
At the moment the eLearning industry is worth $350 Billion and is projected to double over the next 3-5 years. That is a staggering figure and perfectly illustrates the demand for online learning.
A lot of that is to do with the advancement of technology but there is another contributing factor. This year has seen the biggest pandemic of modern times. Covid-19 certainly has a lot to answer for and with any major catastrophe there serious adverse effects and opportunities.
As you have expressed an interest in how to structure an online course I am sure you have seen the opportunity. There is going to be a massive demand from the world’s population to learn new skills. Skills that you have which you can teach to supply that demand.
As a course creator myself I saw the demand for online over a year ago. Over that period, I have developed a process to help people develop their own online training programs. Structuring online courses is part of that process and this is what I want to share.
How To Structure An Online Course
When it comes to creating online courses there are two ways that you can deliver your content. They are pre-recorded or live sessions. I use both formats within my Build Your AU training programs.
When it comes to formats for your online course there are two main ones to use. The first is a step-by-step course or a weekly training course. What you must be clear on is the format that you want to use so let me explain the difference.
Step By Step Online Course
If you have participated in an online course then you may have come across this format. It probably is the most common format that course creators use. Basically, step by step courses are like a road map for students to follow.
What you must understand is that your students want to be taken from where they are now to where they want to be. That is their objective, and this is what you course must deliver.
Each step is a module, and that module can contain more than one lesson. Each module must deliver an outcome which naturally leads into the next module to build upon.
Once all the modules are completed the overall outcome is delivered to the student. Therefore, they have achieved their objective and goal. Now to structure this kind of course is relatively easy in principle.
I suggest that you look at the overall objective that your course delivers. Then break it down into logical components which will formulate the modules. This is something that I teach with my Build Your AU programs and this is how it works.
I get my members to create what I call an authority business model. This authority business model consists of three main pillars which revolve around the product that you have to offer. The product being your online course.
Each of those three main pillars are broken down into three sub-pillars. To best illustrate the principle behind this process I recommend you read my article on customer experience outcomes.
In essence what you will have is 9 pillars which gives you 9 modules for you online course. Each module is a step that your students take that keeps them on track logically to achieve their desired outcome.
The Week By Week Online Course
Now the week by week online course, or program is very similar to the step by step course. The difference is that this type of course has a definitive start and end date. The step by step course can be completed at your students leisure, they have a bit more flexibility with their time.
You can use the same methodology as I mentioned in creating the 9 pillars. Each of those pillars can be delivered each week making your course a 9-week course. This method is very powerful as your students know they will achieve their objective in a defined timeframe. It creates a sense of urgency and excitement.
So, your course structure would look like this –
- Module – Lessons + Resources (x9)
Which Medium To Use
I mentioned earlier that you will either pre-record your content or deliver it live. On both occasions this will be in video format which is your recommended starting point. I say this because from the main video source you can achieve many other things. More on this in a moment.
I am going to start with live video which is perfect for your week by week program. You will create your course content for each week and then deliver it live using platforms such as Zoom.
Zoom is very cost effective as it starts with a free plan. You can have multiple attendees, be live on screen or share your computer screen. The main feature and benefit is that you can record your calls.
This means that your video content is created in the present which is time effective for you. Basically, you are making your product as you go. Now you have recorded material which can be leveraged.
That recorded content can then become your step by step recorded video course. This can be uploaded to platforms such as Kajabi which can create an automated online training course.
You can create a system that accepts students payments, creates their accounts, and delivers the course content. All completely on autopilot which frees up your time.
Additional Resources
You will have noticed that I included resources in the structure for your online course. You are possibly wondering what I mean by that. This is where video content becomes so powerful because it can be re-purposed into different formats.
From your video source file, you can have it transcribed to create a text training resource. What you will get is a Word Doc which you can do some basic editing to. Then convert it into a PDF and that becomes one of your additional resources for each lesson you deliver.
Also, from your video file you can extract the audio into MP3 format which can be offered as an additional resource to download. Now you have 3 training products for each module.
What I then recommend you do is create an actionable worksheet for each module. Look at the actionable steps you want your students to take and plan it out for them in the worksheet. Create a PDF which they can download, print off and fill in.
Now the structure of your online course looks like this –
- Module – Video Lesson + PDF Text Lesson + MP3 Download + Worksheet
You X9 this formula for all your modules for your step by step online training course. Also, you provide the additional resources to your live students the day after you have delivered your lesson.
What this does is add perceived value to your training package. You are also creating a great user experience for your students.
This is how to structure an online course and I teach this formula within my Build Your AU training program. To learn more about Build Your AU and see the process in action click the button below to receive a free video series. The series is live mastermind sessions with my members which I have recorded to then offer as an additional training program. This perfectly illustrates the process I have shared with you today working as it should.
Helping you build your authenticity, authority and audience.
Trish Davies
Build Your AU
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