A checklist detailing every step in creating and publishing a self-paced online course
Course Development
- Identify the main goals of the course
- Break down the objectives into specific, measurable outcomes
- Align the objectives with the target audience's needs and interests
- Organize course content in a logical sequence
- Break down topics into modules or sections
- Develop engaging and informative videos
- Design interactive slides and quizzes
- Create quizzes, tests, or projects to assess student learning
- Include clear instructions and grading criteria
- Proofread for errors and inconsistencies
- Incorporate feedback from peers or mentors
- Explore current trends and innovative approaches
- Learn from successful online courses
- Select a learning management system (LMS)
- Choose video hosting platform, quiz tools, etc.
- List course modules with estimated completion times
- Include due dates for assignments and assessments
- Seek input on course content from experts in the field
- Verify information with credible sources
- Encourage student participation and collaboration
- Facilitate peer-to-peer learning experiences
- Check videos, quizzes, and other content on desktop and mobile devices
- Verify functionality on different browsers
- Gather input on usability and effectiveness of course materials
- Make adjustments based on user feedback
- Schedule regular reviews of course content
- Stay informed about new technologies and teaching methods
Platform Setup
- Follow platform's instructions for creating a new course
- Upload course materials, such as videos, quizzes, and resources
- Select a template or theme that aligns with your branding
- Customize colors, fonts, and logos to create a cohesive look
- Enroll in your own course to experience it from a student's perspective
- Check for any technical issues or bugs that need to be addressed
- Link your platform to a payment processor, such as PayPal or Stripe
- Set up payment options, such as one-time purchase or subscription
- Set an initial price for your course
- Create discount codes for promotions or special offers
- Create a user-friendly registration form for students to sign up
- Automate the enrollment process to grant access to course materials
- Connect your platform to an email marketing tool, such as Mailchimp or ConvertKit
- Set up automated emails for course welcome messages, reminders, and updates
- Write a persuasive course description that highlights key benefits and outcomes
- Use high-quality images and videos to showcase the course content
- Install tracking codes, such as Google Analytics, on your course page
- Monitor key metrics, such as enrollment rates, completion rates, and revenue
- Set criteria for earning a completion certificate or badge
- Upload custom designs or use platform's templates for certificates
- Enable password protection or user authentication for course access
- Monitor for unauthorized sharing or distribution of course materials
Marketing and Promotion
Publishing
Support and Maintenance
- Have a dedicated support email or help desk system for students to submit technical issues
- Respond to technical support requests in a timely manner
- Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues for students
- Provide clear instructions for common technical problems
- Regularly review course material for accuracy and relevance
- Update content based on industry changes or student feedback
- Clearly communicate any updates or changes to students
- Ensure all course content is up-to-date and reflects current best practices
- Create discussion forums for students to ask questions and engage with each other
- Monitor and participate in discussions to provide guidance and support
- Encourage active participation and collaboration among students
- Address any inappropriate behavior or discussions in a timely manner
- Create surveys or feedback forms to gather input from students
- Analyze feedback to identify areas for improvement
- Implement changes based on feedback to enhance the course experience
- Track feedback over time to measure the impact of changes
- Track key performance indicators such as completion rates and student satisfaction
- Identify trends or patterns in course performance data
- Adjust course content or structure based on performance metrics
- Regularly review and update performance metrics to ensure course success
- Set clear expectations for response times to student inquiries
- Monitor communication channels frequently for new inquiries
- Provide timely and helpful responses to student questions
- Follow up with students to ensure their concerns have been addressed
- Schedule regular live Q&A sessions or webinars for students to participate in
- Promote upcoming sessions and encourage student attendance
- Prepare relevant topics or discussion points for each session
- Record sessions for students who are unable to attend live
- Perform regular checks of the course platform for technical issues
- Address any bugs or errors promptly to prevent disruption to students
- Test platform updates or changes before implementation to prevent issues
- Communicate any planned downtime or maintenance to students in advance
- Curate additional resources or materials to supplement course content
- Share resources with students through the course platform or other channels
- Encourage students to explore additional materials to deepen their understanding
- Monitor student usage and feedback on additional resources
- Identify potential collaborators or guest lecturers with relevant expertise
- Coordinate schedules and topics with guest contributors
- Integrate guest lectures or additional content into the course curriculum
- Promote guest contributions to students and provide context for their involvement
Use in Manifestly