Tips for creating online courses

Tips and tricks for writing, designing and developing online courses.

Tips for writing

Colour is not used as the only visual means of conveying information
Interactive elements are easy to identify visually and when focus is placed on the elements
Navigation options are clear and consistently presented throughout all sections.
Videos do not start automatically, and all video controls are visible at all times and properly labelled
All form elements have clearly associated labels
Easily identifiable feedback is provided
Headings and spacing are used to group related content
Instructions and required fields are clearly identified to help users prevent errors.
Error messages are short, clear and specific for users to understand and fix errors.
Alternative descriptions for images and media are presented to users

Use the right size for the text; commonly 12px for web and PDF content, and 18px for PPT documents
Sufficient contrast between the foreground and background is provided
Labels for each form control are well associated
Alternative descriptions for images are using proper mark-up; decorative image alt text is set to empty quotations like <alt= "">
Proper language attributes are used for the page language and for any language change within the page (for example French content on an English page)
Help users avoid and correct errors by provide clear instructions
Mark-up is used to convey meaning and structure
The code order reflects the reading order of the content
The design is responsive and mobile first
The code used adapts to the user's technology
All interactive elements are accessible using the keyboard