International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 17, No. 3 (2021)

Design Strategies for Developing an Engaging Online Course in Higher Education

Gaspard Mucundanyi, New Mexico State University

Abstract
Online education is growing, but retaining students is still a challenge. However, student engagement is one of the factors contributing to student retention in online education. Online instructors and instructional designers should value student engagement in online courses. The first two weeks of an online course are critical; students start to familiarize themselves with the courses and connect with instructors, classmates, and content. It is also essential to consider these first two weeks as a deciding factor for students to take or drop online courses. Therefore, the online course design needs to be perfect from the beginning. Through the lenses of Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK), this article discusses five strategies of designing an engaging online course, such as clear and consistent design, developing a detailed syllabus, creating a learning community, instructor presence, and prioritizing free educational materials. Online instructors and instructional designers may explore these strategies to improve student engagement in online courses.

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