Distance learning
is growing in popularity.
Distance learning is all the rage for K-12 education, college for working adults, and corporate training and certification. It is also a great way to show off your expertise, begin a new career, and teach skills to help people succeed. Private distance learning websites are cropping up all over the Internet because of the low start-up cost and the benefits of working from home on your own hours. There are two types of distance learning courses: asynchronous and synchronous. Asynchronous means the student accesses lessons at his convenience, which is a more self-taught learning approach. Synchronous means that students meet at a specified time and day and the lessons are led by a teacher.
Instructions
Planning
1. Choose either an asynchronous or synchronous learning environment. Asynchronous does not require you to be present for class and will allow you more time to create new courses.
2. Choose a learning management system (LMS). Moodle is a free open source LMS that anyone can learn. There are also LMS packages that can be purchased through the LMS BlackBoard and other similar systems, but this is typically cost-prohibitive for start-ups with little funding.
3. Purchase a test website domain name and hosting package to practice setting up your LMS. This will allow you to try everything without worrying about "breaking" your site.
Test Website
4. Install your LMS software and practice customizing it. Do not become frustrated too early with the learning curve. New software always takes time. Hire a professional if this step prevents you from moving forward.
5. Set up a few example classes. Add photos, video, sound, pdf files, and word documents to make sure you understand do it.
6. Write your lessons. In a distance learning environment you must get your ideas across using only the media available to you. Adding narration, video, and graphics will make your courses more exciting. Add the lessons to the LMS.
7. Choose a payment system. Some learning management systems come with a payment gateway module that can be installed with a few simple steps.
8. Test the courses, registration procedures, and payment gateway. Troubleshoot any issues and retest until you are confident it works.
Production Website
9. Choose your production website domain, register it, and reinstall your LMS.
10. Add your classes and lessons. Choose your registration requirements, start and end dates, and cost per course.
11. Test your registration process and payment gateway. Fix all bugs before proceeding.
Class
12. Promote your new distance learning website in relevant places such as forums associated with your content, professional associations, corporations that typically pay for that type of training, and blogs.
13. Purchase advertising spots from large niche newsletter lists, Google AdWords, and relevant websites and blogs.
14. Begin your first distance learning class by greeting students and offering to help if they have questions.
Tags: distance learning, payment gateway, asynchronous synchronous, Choose your, learning environment, learning management