Identifying Learning Outcomes And The Use Of The Discussion Board In An Online Course

With the popularity and resulting demand for online courses growing, many educators have developed at least a component of their courses, if not the entire course, online. These online courses, or components thereof, present many challenges to educators. Of the challenges faced, none is more important than learning. If we are not returning to the static model of learning but instead we are increasing the number of online courses then as educators, we must deliver online courses in which students learn through active participation. In developing online courses, one of the first challenges facing the instructor is to identify and communicate the learning outcomes of the course. Without identification of learning outcomes, instructors will not be able to assess learning. Once learning objectives are identified and assessments match these outcomes, faculty should find ways to create an active learning environment. This paper describes the progression of an online introductory accounting course and how it evolved to improve the learning experience and create an active learning environment for students. Our experiences may provide useful examples that could be followed by others. The paper specifically describes the identification and communication of learning outcomes with related assessments and the use of the discussion board to foster an active learning environment.