Before designing our own courses on-line, we wanted to research what makes an effective on-line course. We have compiled the following list of recommendations for anyone is looking at online learning.

• Don't make the text too small. Pages of small text can look too long and demotivate the learner. Use at least a 16 point font size.
• Brightly coloured text can create interest, however be aware of the background colour and do not use too much.
• Use graphics, however do not overload the page or make it too busy. Animations can distract from the text, take too long to load up and make it hard for the learner to concentrate.
• Using web pages that have advertisments to impart information should be avoided. Hyperlinks to documents works better.
• Make the text interactive with links to other sites and documents.
• Do not make the pages too long. Text that goes over a number of pages can be difficult to read. Hyperlinks to topics will work better.
• Text that is double spaced is easier to read than single spacing.
• A cover page showing the course name and objectives, so that the student is aware why they are completing the program.

As a team, we did not find an effective solution for on-line assessment.

• The biggest problem is verifying the person who is submitting the assessment. User names and passwords do not stop students asking a mate to complete their assessments.
• As the assessor, you can not confirm that students are not accessing resouces to respond to the assessment.
• Flexibility and fairness are also big issues in only allowing on-line assessments.

A number of strategies were discussed, including:

• Students being required to attend a Computer Lab during set times for assessment purposes with identification.
• Students to have a camera on their computer and submit footage of them completing the assessment.

In conclusion

• As a team, we have concluded that learning on-line can be very effective if presented correctly. The technology allows links to photos, video footage and web sites.
• Flexibility in programs is important. It was suggested that students should have access to both on-line and hard copy texts so that no-one is disadvantaged.
• Assessment is difficult and we will continue to "surf the net" to find effective on-line assessment strategies.