At Archetype, our team has decades of experience creating courses and learning programs, and we have worked with hundreds of teachers and content experts. Our clients usually begin with valuable content expertise they want to share as part of their business, non-profit goals, or school. Your content is what will make your course so valuable to others. But making content into learning requires a change in focus. Let’s start at the most important place. Get really clear. What is your goal in developing your course or program?
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS AND WRITE YOUR ANSWERS DOWN:
- Why am I planning to create this course or program?
- Why do I think part or all of it should be online? What parts and why?
- What do I want it to accomplish FOR ME? This answer might be related to your organization’s goals, but for right now, frame it a little differently. What do you need it to do for you in your role within your organization? This question is not about learning objectives for your students. This is about you — what do you need or want this course to accomplish?
CONSIDER YOUR ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS ABOVE AND SET GOALS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Your goals are your North Star. Look at your brainstorms and write down 1 clear goal and 3 smaller goals. Don’t forget them when you get in there and start creating, building, teaching, and learning. Remind yourself why you are doing this, and don’t do things because the technology is cool. Do it because it will get you to your goal.
- Take stock of what you already know. What do you already know you need — in terms of platform requirements, course length, timing, marketing, organizational support — or any other element you can think of — to successfully accomplish your goals? Use mind mapping or any other brainstorm method you like to get your ideas out. Note which resources you have and which you still need.