Creating effective content for online courses involves more than assembling readings, videos, podcasts and assignments—it’s about crafting an experience that invites students to engage, reflect, and thrive. To achieve this, content must be designed with both multi-modality and accessibility in mind. By leveraging a variety of formats and ensuring that materials are inclusive and usable for all, you create a dynamic and equitable learning environment that meets the diverse needs of your students.
Why Multi-Modality Matters
Multi-modality is the practice of presenting content in multiple formats to accommodate different learning preferences and styles. Some students prefer reading and note-taking, while others learn best by listening, watching, or engaging interactively. Offering content in different forms empowers students to choose the methods that resonate most with them, creating a more personalized and effective learning experience.
For instance, a recorded lecture paired with a written transcript and a summary infographic allows students to engage with the material in their preferred way. Students who prefer auditory learning can focus on the lecture, while visual learners can reference the infographic. Students with time constraints can quickly review the transcript to pinpoint key sections. This kind of flexibility makes learning accessible and removes barriers that can hinder student progress.
Multi-modal content can include a range of formats, such as PDFs for readings, slide decks for visual summaries, podcasts for auditory learners, and interactive quizzes or simulations for those who benefit from hands-on engagement. By offering this variety, you not only enhance understanding but also make learning more dynamic and engaging.
The Critical Role of Accessibility
While multi-modality broadens the range of ways students can interact with content, accessibility ensures that these interactions are inclusive. Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about ensuring that all students, regardless of ability, have an equal opportunity to participate and succeed.
Key accessibility practices include captioning videos, providing transcripts for audio materials, and offering alternative text (alt text) for images, charts, and graphs so that students using screen readers can understand visual content. Additionally, ensuring that interactive elements like quizzes and discussion boards can be navigated with a keyboard alone makes content more inclusive for students who rely on assistive technologies.
Simple design choices can also make a significant difference. Using clear, legible fonts, maintaining high contrast between text and background, and organizing content with descriptive headings and subheadings improve readability and usability. Mobile-friendly design is equally important, as many students access course content on their phones or tablets. A layout that adapts to different screen sizes ensures that all students can participate, regardless of the device they’re using.
By prioritizing accessibility, you not only meet technical requirements but also foster an inclusive environment where every student can engage meaningfully with the material.
Organizing Content for Clarity and Progression
A well-structured course isn’t just about what content you provide—it’s about how you present it. Scaffolding content helps students follow a clear learning path and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Breaking down information into smaller, manageable sections—often referred to as “chunking”—makes complex material more digestible and improves retention.
Instead of presenting a 60-minute lecture in one long recording, consider dividing it into shorter, focused videos, each addressing a specific topic or concept. Similarly, large readings can be accompanied by summaries or guiding questions that help students focus on key points. When students can see how each element fits into the larger learning objectives, they’re more likely to stay engaged and on track.
Providing context is another important part of scaffolding. At the start of each module, include an overview that explains what students will learn, why it’s relevant, and how each activity or resource contributes to their progress. This gives students a sense of purpose and helps them understand the “big picture.”
Guiding Students on How to Engage with Content
Even the best-designed content can fall flat if students don’t know how to engage with it effectively. Providing clear instructions on how to use course materials helps students maximize their learning experience.
For instance, after posting a video lecture, you might include a note encouraging students to pause at key moments to reflect on guiding questions. Similarly, for readings, consider offering prompts that direct their attention to critical ideas and ask them to draw connections to previous lessons or personal experiences. When assigning a group project, provide detailed instructions on how to use collaborative tools like Google Docs or discussion boards to streamline the process and reduce uncertainty.
When you guide students on how to approach and engage with content, you’re helping them develop strong study habits and build confidence in navigating the online learning environment.
Regularly Reviewing and Improving Content
Online courses benefit from ongoing review and improvement. It’s important to periodically test your materials to ensure they work across different platforms and devices. A resource that looks perfect on a desktop computer may not display correctly on a mobile phone. Regularly updating your course with new tools and technologies, as well as fixing technical glitches, ensures that your content remains functional and accessible.
Student feedback is also invaluable. Surveys, discussion threads, and check-ins can help you understand which formats and resources students find helpful and where they encounter challenges. Incorporating this feedback allows you to make meaningful improvements, ensuring that your content stays relevant and engaging.
Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment
Ultimately, creating content for an online course isn’t just about sharing information—it’s about designing an inclusive learning experience where all students can engage, reflect, and succeed. Multi-modality ensures that students can access material in ways that align with their learning preferences, while accessibility guarantees that no student is left behind. By organizing content thoughtfully, providing clear instructions, and inviting feedback, you can create a learning journey that feels connected, purposeful, and empowering.
When students encounter course content that is varied, inclusive, and well-structured, they are more likely to feel motivated, confident, and engaged. An online course that embraces multi-modality and accessibility isn’t just an educational resource—it’s a dynamic space for growth, exploration, and success.
Further Reading:
Guo, P. J., Kim, J., & Rubin, R. (2014). How video production affects student engagement: An empirical study of MOOC videos. Proceedings of the First ACM Conference on Learning@ Scale, 41–50. https://doi.org/10.1145/2556325.2566239
Jewitt, C. (2008). Multimodality and literacy in school classrooms. Review of Research in Education, 32(1), 241–267. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X07310586
Mayer, R. E. (2009). Multimedia learning (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Moreno, R., & Mayer, R. E. (2007). Interactive multimodal learning environments: Special issue on interactive learning environments: Contemporary issues and trends. Educational Psychology Review, 19(3), 309–326. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-007-9047-2
Rose, D. H., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal design for learning. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
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