Key influences for the design of online learning environments: Learner, learning outcomes, and lecturer

Of recent times a number of papers have identified features that, they claim, lead to the success of the online learning environment. This paper suggests that this is too simplistic and proposes, as a starting point, that at least three major factors should influence the design of an online learning environment: (i) characteristics of the learners (such as the level of independence or experience in online learning), (ii) characteristics of the learning outcomes (such as if it is theoretical or procedural learning), and (iii) the educational approach of the teaching staff (such as whether they have an instructivist or constructivist approach or believe that learning is primarily an individual or a social activity). Experienced instructional designers consider these factors when designing educational materials, but they are sometimes forgotten by less experienced practitioners in the rush to put courses online. Four case studies are presented that explore how these factors influence the design of subjects taught online in a single department.