In designing a course, the following questions should be considered:

• What is known about the learners?
• What content will be taught and at what level?
• How can this content be expressed as learning outcomes, or objectives?
• How can the course be most effectively structured?
• What delivery technologies are available to the learners?
• Which of these technologies is most suitable for each objective?
• What exercises and assignments will the student be given?
• How will instructors interact with learners and learners with other learners?
• How will the design process be evaluated?

Education managers will need to decide whether a course will be designed by a specialist course team (and taught by specialist instructors) or designed by the person who will teach it.

More Resources:

Lusunzi, I.S. 1999. Building Instructional Activities in Distance Education Self-instructional Materials. Paper presented at the 1st National NADEOSA Conference held 11-13 August 1999

Botswana Ministry of Education. 1998. Evaluation Report of the English Time Project 1994-1998

Kamau, J.W. 1997. Characteristics of Distance Learners, Diploma in Primary Education Course Writers Workshop December 1-5, 1997, Oasis Motel.

Mphinyane, O. 1998. Introduction to Distance Education: Using teams at work, Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning Course Design & Development Workshop 27th July - 7th August 1998