- weavercr
Low-Tech, Low-Stress Online Courses
Which Online Course Platform is the best?
This is a very popular question in the "Online Course Creator" Community. There is a great amount of pressure to use an LMS (Learning Management System). An LMS provides an instructor with a way to create and house content, monitor student activity and assess student performance. Some examples of these are:
Skillshare for teaching creative skills
Teachable for creating an online school with advanced marketing
Thinkific for building a course from scratch
Kajabi for marketing a course on autopilot
LearnWorlds for creating an online school
I have used various LMS platforms in schools, for my own learning and for housing my online courses. They serve their own purposes and I would recommend them if you are seeking any of the purposes stated above. However, the purpose of this article, is not to compare platforms, but to introduce you to some "Low Tech/Low Stress" options.
Whether it be an LMS platform or a "Low-Tech" system, there are two important considerations:
Your level of expertise in technology
Your student's level of expertise in technology
How long do you want to spend putting your content into a platform? Can you easily get all the pieces in place or is it going to be so frustrating that you abandon ship altogether? You can hire someone to remove this task from you, but you will have to decide if it is a budget priority.
The other consideration is how it will affect your students in both purchasing and completing your course. Can they easily navigate an LMS platform or does the mere thought of logging in send them searching for an easier option?
"Low-Tech" does not sacrifice quality or content, it just allows more ease in navigating your system. It makes your course more accessible to all learners. It can also be a quicker, more predictable way to access and consume content.
Types of "Low-Tech" Courses:
Email delivery- each module is delivered daily (or weekly) right to the student's inbox. No searching for a website or need to log in. Because it is a direct delivery, it is more likely that action will be taken in moving through the course.
This does not limit you from using other resources or media. You can easily attach links or video directly from the email.
1-Sheet Course- this is a PDF Document with all the links students will need for your course. Here is an example of the types of content that can be included in the 1-Sheet Course
PDF- this type of file can be delivered by email as well, however, you would only need one email as all links are shared with one page. Another option would be to deliver a separate PDF each day (or week).
Here is an example that used a PDF to deliver a 7-Day Challenge. Marketing for Musicians (Not all links are live, but only serve as examples.)
Slideshow- Your course can be developed completely within a slideshow and delivered by email. Live links can be housed within the slideshow.
ZOOM Calls- if you are comfortable with virtual meetings, all of your modules can be created within a ZOOM call. These can either be live, or you can just record yourself delivering the module content and providing links to accompanying printable resources and activities.
If you are feeling uncertain about how to get started with your online course, establishing your end goal to be your guide, and getting it all organized, let's have a chat.
I work 1:1 with clients. You will have all my attention and guidance for a four-hour "Course Planning Workshop."
I will help you reduce the overwhelm, give you the confidence that everything is covered, jumpstart your online course and help you make quicker, more efficient progress. We will complete a comprehensive program blueprint and explore platform options.
I'd love to connect with you!
Sign up for my newsletter on my website homepage or book a free Discovery Call to explore your hopes and dreams.
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