Creating an online course is an exciting opportunity to share your knowledge with a wide audience. However, without careful planning, even well-intentioned course creators can make common mistakes that reduce the course’s effectiveness.
Here are the top 6 mistakes to avoid when designing your online course:
1. Lack of Clear Learning Objectives
The Mistake: Jumping straight into content creation without clearly defining what learners should achieve by the end of the course.
Why It’s a Problem: Without clear objectives, learners may feel lost or unsure about what they are aiming to learn.
How to Avoid It: Start by outlining specific, measurable learning outcomes. Use action verbs such as apply, identify, or demonstrate to define what success looks like.
Want to learn more?
Research Bloom’s Taxonomy, SOLO Taxonomy and SMART learning outcomes.
2. Overloading Learners with Information
The Mistake: Trying to include too much content in a single course.
Why It’s a Problem: Information overload can overwhelm learners and reduce retention. Learners may feel discouraged if they can’t keep up.
How to Avoid It: Break your content into smaller, digestible modules. Focus on delivering the essentials and provide optional resources for those who want to dive deeper.
Want to learn more?
Research Cognitive Load Theory, Chunking, and Microlearning.
3. Ignoring Learner Engagement
The Mistake: Creating static, content-heavy courses without opportunities for interaction.
Why It’s a Problem: Passive learning leads to lower engagement and poorer outcomes. Learners are more likely to leave courses incomplete if they don’t feel involved.
How to Avoid It: Incorporate interactive elements such as quizzes, games, leaderboards, discussions, and other hands-on activities. Add opportunities for peer feedback and live Q&A sessions to encourage participation.
Want to learn more?
Research Active Learning strategies, Constructivism and Gamification.
4. Disorganised Course Structure
The Mistake: Organising lessons in a way that feels confusing or illogical.
Why It’s a Problem: Learners may struggle to follow the flow of the course, leading to frustration and disengagement.
How to Avoid It: Design a logical sequence of topics. Use a clear module structure where each section builds on the previous one. Provide an overview at the start of each module to set expectations.
Want to learn more?
Research Backward Design (Wiggins & McTighe), and Constructive Alignment.
5. Neglecting Visual and Design Elements
The Mistake: Relying on a text-heavy format with little attention to visual appeal.
Why It’s a Problem: A poorly designed course can appear unprofessional and make it harder for learners to stay focused.
How to Avoid It: Use a clean, consistent design. Include visuals such as charts, images, and infographics to support key concepts. Ensure your course is easy to navigate with a consistent layout and clear labels.
Want to learn more?
Research Multimedia Learning Theory (Mayer), Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
6. Ignoring Accessibility
The Mistake: Designing a course without considering accessibility for all learners.
Why It’s a Problem: Courses that aren’t accessible may exclude diverse learners, including those with a disability, limiting your audience and impact.
How to Avoid It: Ensure your course meets basic accessibility guidelines. Provide captions for videos, use alt text for images, and choose high-contrast colour schemes. Make sure your course can be navigated easily via keyboard.
Want to learn more?
Research WCAG 2.1 Accessibility Guidelines, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and inclusive design principles.
Designing an online course involves more than just sharing information. It requires thoughtful planning to create a valuable and engaging learning experience. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to building a course that educates, empowers, and inspires!
