It’s come to my attention that many people are offering online courses that perhaps don’t know what a course should have in it. Which is kind of like the cart leading the horse.
What does an online course need to have in it?
For starters, if you’re running an online course…. you need to have realistic learning outcomes in any course, and you, if you’re the facilitator or trainer, you need to achieve those learning outcomes in your course.
As well, the learners attending need to achieve those learning outcomes – this is very different from providing information, or holding a conference, or a workshop.
Attending a brief workshop or a conference does not mean that it is a thorough course that is going to teach you everything you need to know on a subject.
People want to come to your course and learn about things, in a grounded way, that they don’t already know.
If they can find the information easily, it is probably not a course you’re offering – it’s an information service, or a marketing funnel.
The ethics of the online space are getting really blurry!
Prior to being a therapist, I worked in an information service, so I think I do know what I’m talking about here.
I find people coming to my courses are amazed at the information that I supply, as many courses on offer – in the online space are ….. let’s face it…. utter rubbish!
As I’ve worked at TAFE and have a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (TAE) – this means that I am aware of what’s required to be put into a course in order to achieve the desired outcomes – to expand your mind!
Courses shouldn’t just tell you what you want to hear. It should be new information!
Generally, if you’re attending a course, you want someone to not only be qualified in their area of expertise, though you also want that same person to be trained in training – and have experience in that too.
Then they can deal with your questions and you will be satisfied with the result from your training.
Finally, if you do happen to find yourself offering a course – you must remember to have learning outcomes and not just be ‘task’ focused.
People are coming to your course to learn the process of the subject matter, not just the tasks.
If you happen to attend a course, most things – online therapy included – are not as simple as just turning on a computer screen and having the right programs or applications that you need to run. It’s a lot more complicated than that.
So, ultimately, a good course needs to have – learning outcomes, work on your competence (and the four stages of competence) and assist you with your confidence in whatever you are trying to learn.
An interesting fact is it takes most humans to learn something at least five times before it sinks in… and then in the area you’re learning, it takes hours of practice.
Quality courses have quality outcomes that are beyond any tick box tasks!
Along the way, it’s important to keep learning!
© Renee McDonald AOTT Pty Ltd, 2018.
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