How to Create an Online Course

4.8 (129 reviews)

8,040 enrolled on this course

2 weeks
3 hours per week
Accreditation available
Digital certificate when eligible
Introductory level

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This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Learn how to design and develop online learning materials.

Digital education is expanding faster than ever before, and learning online has become an essential part of how we teach and learn.

On this two-week course, you’ll learn how to create online learning materials that are open, accessible, and engaging.

You will complete practical activities to explore key topics such as target audience, writing style and narrative, active learning, and digital tools.

You’ll be equipped to create targeted, interactive, and inclusive content to thrive in the eLearning sector. The knowledge and skills you develop will enable you to confidently begin your own course design process.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 3 seconds Discover how to create an online course with experts from the University of Edinburgh’s online learning team. With a portfolio of more than 80 courses and almost four million learners globally, we share knowledge, guidance, and top tips to support you in creating your own online course. You’ll learn how to identify target audience, use narrative, and create active learning opportunities, as well as how to make your content engaging, open, and accessible, and use digital tools to enhance your learning materials. Whatever your role or knowledge in the field of digital education, this course will give you the practical tools and key building blocks to design interactive, inclusive, and enjoyable online learning experiences.

Skip to 0 minutes and 44 seconds Enrol today on ‘How to Create an Online Course’ from the University of Edinburgh.

What topics will you cover?

Understanding Your Learners - Discover what a persona is, what the characteristics of a typical online learner are and the differences between them. Identify how to create content that is targeted to your learner audience.

The Power of Active Learning and Narrative - Learn the differences between passive and active learning types, and examine storytelling techniques like narrative and readability.

How to Make Content Engaging - Explore ways to create content that is engaging to online learners. Practise techniques for producing materials that are bitesize, open and accessible.

Your Digital Toolbox - Find out how to use digital tools and media to enhance your learning materials, and explore useful resources for creating an online course.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Create personas to gain a clear understanding of target audiences for short online courses.
Describe the value of active learning and narrative in digital education, and write concise content using appropriate language and tone.
Identify suitable formats for creating engaging online materials in line with accessibility and open licensing guidance.
Evaluate a range of current digital education tools and explain some of their benefits and limitations.

Who is the course for?

The course is designed for subject matter experts who want to create a short online course.

This is an introductory course to help you develop the key skills to produce engaging online learning materials.

Who will you learn with?

Lizzy Garner-Foy

Lizzy is an Instructional Designer at the University of Edinburgh. She has a passion for active learning design, creative approaches to teaching, and educational media production.

Andrés Ordorica

Andrés is an Instructional Designer at the University of Edinburgh working on both short online courses and micro credential programmes. He has been working at the University since 2018.

Marcello Crolla

Marcello is an Instructional Designer at the University of Edinburgh. He has an extensive background in both Further and Higher Education.

Jessica Gramp

Jess is Learning Technology Team Manager for the University of Edinburgh's Instructional Designers and has worked in Higher Ed since 2008. She is passionate about making education accessible to all.

Stuart Nicol

Stuart leads the Educational Design and Engagement section at the University of Edinburgh. He has been a learning technologist for over 20 years, and has a masters degree in digital education.

Who developed the course?

The University of Edinburgh

Founded in 1583, the University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top universities and is globally recognised for research, innovation and high-quality teaching.


Ways to learn	Buy this course	Subscribe & save	Limited access
Choose the best way to learn for you!	$89/one-off payment	$244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews	Free
	Fulfill your current learning need	Develop skills to further your career	Sample the course materials
Access to this course	tick	tick	Access expires 29 Oct 2024
Access to 1,000+ courses	cross	tick	cross
Learn at your own pace	tick	tick	cross
Discuss your learning in comments	tick	tick	tick
Certificate when you're eligible	Printed and digital	Digital only	cross
	Continue & Upgrade
		Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

Access to this course
Access to 1,000+ courses
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$89/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

Access to this course
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Continue & Upgrade

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

Access expires 29 Oct 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

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Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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