What this Section covers
As mentioned in the Introduction, the heart of this Unit is the section on course design. Course design puts the focus on the content and the outcomes of the course as a whole. This is the starting point if you are creating any kind of course from scratch.
However, because this unit is specifically about e-learning, I think it necessary to cover the basics first, working from the ground up with an introduction to some of the terminology used in this field (Information Technology, as you probably know, has more than its share of jargon) and an overview of some popular e-learning tools.
By the time you reach the section on course design you will then have some idea of the possibilities which e-learning offers in terms of both presentation of content and activities which can be used to illustrate ideas, stimulate your learners and bring interaction to online courses.
I discuss the nuts and bolts of putting your ideas into practice, looking particularly at what you can do if you have little in the way of in-house support/facilities.
Finally I note some current issues in e-learning which is enhanced by the Current Issues discussion forum in this module's online support area.
This unit makes use of discussion forums in this module's support area, and also includes a small design activity. Completion of the activity and participation in the forums is entirely voluntary but will enhance your understanding of the ideas raised in this unit.