According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 9.4 million students enrolled in at least one online course in 2021 alone. Today, as online courses continue to provide busy students with the flexible learning opportunities they seek, being able to design quality online courses with clear learning objectives is a must. 

Whether you plan to teach at the college level yourself or aspire to a career in curriculum or instructional design, there are some practical tips to keep in mind. Learn more about online course design with some further insight from our very own Keiser University graduate, Dr. Rebecca Bhiro. 

Foundations of a Syllabus: Your Explicit Roadmap to Success

Knowing how to create a syllabus for an online course is critical when it comes to establishing expectations and keeping students on the same page — even if they never set foot inside a physical classroom. This is especially true when you consider that a syllabus, which is similar to the Professor’s biography, in many online courses, is the first impression a student will have of a course and teacher. 

The Syllabus as a Contract and Guide 

A syllabus should be seen as both a guide to the class itself and a sort of contract between instructors and students. More specifically, a syllabus should lay out a student’s responsibilities regarding the delivery of assignments, communication, grading, and course participation. In addition, it sets up responsibilities for the instructor by outlining learning outcomes and offering support through dedicated office hours. 

Providing Personalized Learning Experiences 

In an online course specifically, a syllabus should detail a student’s options for personalizing their learning experience. With asynchronous learning, for example, this may mean providing information on how students may work ahead on assignments or otherwise integrate their studies into their schedules. The syllabus should also outline different options for communication (both with instructors and fellow students) for added flexibility and convenience. 

Essential Elements of a Comprehensive Syllabus 

While no two syllabi will look exactly alike because no two online courses are the same, any well-written syllabus should incorporate a few key components. 

Course Information, Description and Objectives 

If there are any prerequisites for the course, this should be included in the syllabus for clarification. Then, at a basic level, a syllabus should state:  

  • The name of the course (including its course number) 
  • A brief description of the class itself  
  • A list of learning objectives 

Required Materials and Technology 

For an online course in particular, students need to be aware of the materials and technology they will need to complete the course successfully. Be sure to include not just textbooks but also any software, including up-to-date technology, apps, or online resources that they will need to use as part of the course. The ability to particpate in online video conferences and sessions with their class and/or instructor is important! 

Grading Policy and Communication Policy 

A well-constructed syllabus should also include detailed policies on both grading (e.g., grading rubrics) and communication expectations. There should be no confusion or guesswork when it comes to how grades will be calculated or how assignments will be weighted. 

Communication is essential to student success in an online class, too, so a syllabus should clarify preferred and accepted methods of communication (email, office phone, text, etc.) for students when they need to get in touch with their instructors. 

Course Schedule and Assignments 

Students in online courses, namely asynchronous courses where they can work at their own pace, will appreciate having access to a course schedule with all their assignment details outlined in advance. This way, they will know exactly what is coming next — and they can work assignments into their own busy schedules as needed. 

Academic Integrity Policy and Accessibility Statement 

Additionally, every online course syllabus needs to include the school’s formal policies regarding academic integrity and accessibility. Typically, these are developed and published directly by the school and include details about plagiarism and its consequences, accommodations for students with disabilities and any related policies. 

Crafting an Effective Online Course 

Although a great syllabus sets the foundation for an effective online course, it does not do all the heavy lifting. There are several considerations that all instructors and professors should keep at the forefront when designing an online course: 

Defining Clear Learning Objectives 

At the end of the day, students need to understand what they can expect to get out of an online course. Ideally, these objectives should be easily defined, observable and measurable. 

Engaging Content and Activities 

Without the physical presence of students in a classroom, creating content and activities for an online course can be uniquely challenging. However, some practical ways to make online coursework more engaging for students include: 

  • Having students work virtually in pairs or groups (in a synchronous course). 
  • Finding ways to gamify the learning experience. 
  • Connecting course concepts to examples in the real world. 
  • Utilizing engaging video and simulations. 
  • Provide multiple active learning experiences. 
  • Provide a variety of learning experiences for different learning modalities. 

Utilizing Technology Effectively 

One main benefit of teaching a class online is the ready access to all kinds of technologies that can make learning (and teaching) more engaging. Today’s students actively seek out learning experiences that are relevant to their goals while providing practical, real-world application. 

Instructors looking to leverage technology in their online classrooms should explore not only course management software but also other tools (like Zoom) to encourage live discussions. Other free programs, like Google Drive, can empower students to collaborate on assignments even if they are not able to meet in real-time. 

Relevance and Application 

In designing an online course, it is always helpful to think of the “big picture.” How relevant is the course material, and how might students be able to apply it in their future careers? By letting this guide your online course organization, you can ensure that all readings and assignments directly relate to course learning objectives and students’ career paths. 

Designing for Accessibility and Flexibility

When crafting courses for today’s online learner, accessibility and flexibility are crucial. Students in an online course may be working full-time jobs, caring for young children and meeting other important obligations . 

Starting the Week Strong 

As alum Dr. Rebecca Bhiro explains, being able to log into her online courses and post her required discussions on the day and time that worked for her was paramount to her experience. She explains how her courses started on a Sunday, with initial discussions posted by her instructors promptly. This provided her with the flexibility and convenience she needed to contribute to the discussion while maintaining a sense of predictability. 

Addressing the “Can’t Ask Now” Problem 

Another consideration in terms of flexibility is that students may not always be available during an instructor’s posted “office hours,” even for an online class. With this in mind, students should have a way to reach instructors with questions or concerns in a reasonable timeframe. Having a clearly written communication policy that outlines how and when emails or other communications will be addressed, students can have a better idea of what to expect when they need to ask a question or request clarification. 

As Dr. Bhiro expresses, “It is significant for the syllabus — for any online course — to just be explicit.” 

Fostering Proactive Learning 

Completing an online class should be about more than simply “checking off boxes.” Instead, students should be inspired to learn proactively and pursue more information on the topics that interest them most. This level of proactive learning can be fostered through an online learning environment that encourages active participation among students and gets them talking (to instructors and with one another) as much as possible. Give examples of how students can tie course assignments to other work or life activites and experience, as well as offer examples of how course content extends and connects to other courses. 

Cultivating a Student-First Environment

Simply put, online students thrive when their educational needs are met. By prioritizing a student-first environment in the online classroom, students can have access to the resources and support they need to succeed. 

“Students First” Policy 

At Keiser University, our “students first” policy is one that every faculty member takes seriously. Through this philosophy, an empathetic understanding of diverse student needs remains at the forefront, as does a dedication to cultivating supportive learning environments. No matter the course or program, taking this approach when designing an online course can optimize the student experience. 

Leveraging Support Resources 

Students should also be aware of the resources (both on campus and online) available to them that could help them succeed. For example, Dr. Bhiro explains that Keiser University’s Writing Studio served as an essential resource for her during her studies. 

Caring and Relatable Professors 

Ultimately, professors and instructors who truly care about the success of their students can be integral to their journey not just in their individual classes but also on their professional paths. Dr. Bhiro describes her own experience at Keiser and the valuable relationships she developed with professors and other faculty along the way, explaining how they “are able to relate to the students’ individual mindsets” and are still there for guidance when she needed it. 

Fostering Strong Communication and Respect

A quality online course should underscore the importance of strong and respectful communication between students and professors — as well as other professionals in the field.  The professor should start strong by modeling the professionalism expected of students. 

Dr. Bhiro’s Experience With Respectful Communication 

During Dr. Bhiro’s time at Keiser University, she found that her interactions with faculty and peers improved her own communication and sense of confidence: “I am an excellent writer now. And because I write so well, I’m able to integrate that when I speak. Even when I speak to my other [peers], you should hear how they speak — the confidence level.” 

Empowering Confident Communication 

This confidence can (and should) translate to a student’s professional journey, empowering them to communicate respectfully and effectively with those in their respective fields. Applying the communication skills learned in an online course to future professional relationships, online learners can become better collaborators and problem-solvers. 

Explore Graduate Programs at Keiser University

Knowing how to write a syllabus for an online course and craft a relevant, compelling online curriculum can make all the difference in learning outcomes for students. Through engaging in technology effectively, designing for accessibility and maintaining a student-first environment, you can set yourself and your students up for a more successful semester. 

Interested in learning more about instructional design or curriculum instruction? Keiser University offers a number of relevant programs at the graduate level, including: 

Get in touch to learn more about any of these programs, or take the next step in your academic journey by filling out an application for admission!