Online course design: taking a right turn!

Abstract

Guided by Nation and Macalister’s (2010) eight-step language curriculum design model, a 5-week online course was designed to teach critical thinking skills for foundation students at the Arab Open University (Oman). The course was conducted with 11, level two foundation students, after which it was evaluated by the participating students, the course instructor and three course reviewers using three different research instruments (an end-of-course evaluation form, semi-structured interviews and a course evaluation rubric), the analyses from which revealed that most were satisfied with the course design, but some modifications and additions were needed. The reflection on the online course design process along with the course evaluation results led to several amendments to the course design to make it more conducive to online delivery. The study provides course developers with an evidence-based, enhanced online course design model that will help create online courses.