No Result
View All Result
SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES
  • Login
Thursday, October 23, 2025
TheAdviserMagazine.com
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
No Result
View All Result
TheAdviserMagazine.com
No Result
View All Result
Home College

Design Smarter, Teach Better: How Thoughtful Course Webpages Can Improve Online Learning – Faculty Focus

by TheAdviserMagazine
2 months ago
in College
Reading Time: 7 mins read
A A
Design Smarter, Teach Better: How Thoughtful Course Webpages Can Improve Online Learning – Faculty Focus
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LInkedIn


Even as in-person classes return post-pandemic, online courses haven’t gone away. In fact, many students still opt for online learning because of the flexibility it offers. But one thing is clear: not all online courses are created equal, and one of the biggest differences lies in something many instructors overlook: the course webpage. 

Whether you’re using Brightspace, Canvas, or Moodle, how you design your course webpage can make or break your students’ experience. Based on our systematic review of recent studies on online learning and student satisfaction, here’s what we learned—and how you can apply it in your own teaching.

Why Course Webpages Matter More Than You Think

Students form impressions about your course page in less than a second (Lindgaard et al., 2006). If it’s cluttered, confusing, or bland, you might lose them before they even start the first lecture. 

We reviewed research involving over 1,600 university students from seven countries. Across the board, students reported that a course webpage’s ease of use, usefulness, and visual appeal significantly influenced their satisfaction and engagement (Lazard & King, 2020; Younas et al. 2021). 

How We Did the Research

To better understand what works in online course webpage design, we conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. Here’s what that looked like: 

Databases searched: LearnTechLib, Omni (Carleton University), and reference lists from relevant papers  Keywords: “COVID,” “website,” “online learning,” and “pedagogy”  Inclusion criteria: Peer-reviewed, quantitative studies from 2020–2023, focused on higher education  Total included: 7 studies, 1,614 participants across Australia, China, South Africa, Lebanon, Pakistan, Malaysia, and the U.S. 

Figure 1. PRISMA Flow Diagram for the Course Webpage Design Search 

Practical Tips for Smarter Course Design

Below are research-based, practical tips instructors can use—that don’t require you to be a web designer. These ideas are easy to implement and can make a big difference. 

1. Make Navigation a No-Brainer

Think of your course webpage like your storefront. If people can’t find what they need, they won’t stick around. This makes your life as an instructor harder: you will get more students with last-minute requests for accommodations, as well as students struggling with procrastination.  

Use a consistent layout, organize materials by weeks or modules, and give each section clear, descriptive titles. Students should never have to hunt for a syllabus or lecture slides (Bachman & Stewart, 2011; Plous, 2000). I found that having a hyperlink directly on the first page of the course website, helped reduce the amount of student emails on syllabus-related questions (a joy). 

Pro tip: Use drop-down menus and collapsible folders to reduce visual clutter. 

2. Keep It Clean and Simple

Visual overload is real. Too many colours, clashing fonts, or random clipart can be overwhelming. Stick to a minimalist design with just enough contrast and white space to guide the eye. Use consistent font styles and colours to help students focus (Lazard & King, 2020). 

Pro-tip: Avoid red text on black backgrounds—students with colour vision deficiencies may struggle with this combo. The Science Communication Resource Corner provides helpful Colorblind Safe Colour Schemes: https://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/sites/default/files/2022-06/Colorblind%20Safe%20Color%20Schemes.pdf  

3. Offer Customization Options

Students reported feeling more satisfied when they could personalize their learning environment—for example, setting their own notification preferences or receiving automatic updates about grades and deadlines (Younas et al., 2021). If your platform allows it, show students how to use these features. Most announcement tools allows you to include the student’s name in the communication by using the code: {firstname} (e.g., Brightspace: https://community.d2l.com/brightspace/kb/articles/6105-automatically-customize-course-content-using-replace-strings). I cannot count the number of students who said they appreciated this customization of information.  

Protip: Include a quick walkthrough video or FAQ page on how to customize settings. 

4. Build Trust Through Transparency

Technology glitches can tank your credibility fast. Provide assessment submission confirmations, test your hyperlinks, and use clear, timely communication to reduce student anxiety (Hsu et al., 2022). 

Protip: Create a “Tech Check” page with test links and troubleshooting steps. 

From Theory to Practice: A Usability Framework

Our review supports the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM): a course site is more likely to be used—and liked—if students find it both easy to use and useful (Davis, 1989). 

Figure 2. Adapted from “The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its Application to the Utilization of Mobile Learning Technologies,” D. G. Mugo, K. Njagi, B. Chemwei, and J. O. Motanya, 2017, British Journal of Mathematics & Computer Science, 20, p. 4 (DOI: 10.9734/BJMCS/2017/29015). In the public domain.

Figure 2. Adapted from “The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its Application to the Utilization of Mobile Learning Technologies,” D. G. Mugo, K. Njagi, B. Chemwei, and J. O. Motanya, 2017, British Journal of Mathematics & Computer Science, 20, p. 4 (DOI: 10.9734/BJMCS/2017/29015). In the public domain. 

But we also found that students valued more than just functionality. Our systematic review supported features like customization, organization, and aesthetic appeal as beneficial to student use of the course website (which contributed to higher grades and completion rates). 

Quick Design Checklist

Feature Example Research Support Clear navigation Weekly modules, labeled folders Bachman & Stewart, 2011 Aesthetic simplicity Balanced colour palette, consistent fonts Lazard & King, 2020 Customization Notification settings, adaptable layout Younas et al., 2021 Confirmation of actions Email receipt of submissions Hsu et al., 2022 Mobile compatibility Testing on phones and tablets Plous, 2000 

Collaborate with Your Students

Want the best feedback on your course webpage? Ask your students. Mid-semester feedback surveys or co-design sessions can go a long way in improving usability (Yoshida & Thammetar, 2021). I have benefited from undergraduate student input, and these translated to higher ratings for my courses.  

Bottom Line: Thoughtful Design = Better Learning

Course webpage design isn’t just about looking polished—our systematic review suggests it’s a key factor in student satisfaction and learning success. Students are more likely to engage when the site is: 

Adaptable to their needs  Regularly maintained and updated 

So we, as instructors, need to spend some time fine-tuning our websites. The good news is that once you do this for one course, many platforms offer cloning or importing, which makes it easy to transfer your work from one course to another. 

If you’re feeling stuck, reach out to your campus teaching and learning centre, look at exemplars, or co-create the website with students. You don’t have to do it alone. 

The full systematic review can be found: https://osf.io/j6xc8/?view_only=bf720f88103848578ba9e6da0013f95f

Dr. Kelly M. Babchishin is an assistant professor at Carleton University who specializes in forensic psychology. She teaches large undergraduate and graduate courses, many of which use online or hybrid formats. 

Emma J. Holmes is a graduate student and teaching assistant at Carleton University (Department of Psychology). Emma is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. 

Alexis G. Hinkson was an undergraduate student (Department of Psychology) at Carleton University and is now completing her law degree at the University of Ottawa. Alexis has served as a teaching assistant and was hired by Kelly Babchishin to assist her in course design and provided the student perspective.   

References  

Bachman, C. M., and C. Stewart. 2011. “Self-Determination Theory and Web-Enhanced Course Template Development.” Teaching of Psychology 38 (3): 180–88. https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628311411798. 

Davis, F. D. 1989. “Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology.” MIS Quarterly 13 (3): 319–40. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008. 

Hsu, P. S., E. M. Lee, and T. J. Smith. 2022. “First-Year Instructor’s Designing and Teaching an Online Undergraduate Engineering Course during the COVID-19 Epidemic.” Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching 41 (3): 215–43. 

Lazard, A. J., and A. J. King. 2020. “Objective Design to Subjective Evaluations: Connecting Visual Complexity to Aesthetic and Usability Assessments.” International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction 36 (1): 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2019.1606976. 

Lindgaard, G., G. Fernandes, C. Dudek, and J. Brown. 2006. “Attention Web Designers: You Have 50 Milliseconds to Make a Good First Impression.” Behaviour & Information Technology 25 (2): 115–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/01449290500330448. 

Plous, S. 2000. “Tips on Creating and Maintaining an Educational World Wide Web Site.” Teaching of Psychology 27 (1): 63–70. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15328023TOP2701_13. 

Younas, A., C. M. N. Faisal, M. A. Habib, R. Ashraf, and M. Ahmad. 2021. “Role of Design Attributes to Determine the Intention to Use Online Learning via Cognitive Beliefs.” IEEE Access 9: 94181–94202. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3093348. 

Yoshida, M., and T. Thammetar. 2021. “Education between GovTech and Civic Tech.” International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning 16 (4): 52–68. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i04.18769. 



Source link

Tags: DesignFacultyFocusimprovelearningOnlineSMARTerTeachThoughtfulWebpages
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

ETMarkets Smart Talk: FIIs rotating to midcaps shows smart money chasing growth, says Aamar Deo Singh of Angel One

Next Post

Hospitals In France To Prepare For War By March 2026

Related Posts

edit post
Lodgerin launches Abroad – the software redefining global mobility

Lodgerin launches Abroad – the software redefining global mobility

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 22, 2025
0

International academic mobility is undergoing a profound transformation: more than 6.9 million students are currently pursuing a program outside their...

edit post
Tracking the Trump administration’s deals with colleges

Tracking the Trump administration’s deals with colleges

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 22, 2025
0

It all started with Columbia University.  In early March, less than two months after President Donald Trump took office, his...

edit post
How To Transition Between Group and Solo Work in a Competitive Workplace

How To Transition Between Group and Solo Work in a Competitive Workplace

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 21, 2025
0

Olivier Le Moal/Shutterstock There are many distinct traits of careers in higher education but one that early career professionals struggle...

edit post
TNE “very much of interest” for Irish unis

TNE “very much of interest” for Irish unis

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 20, 2025
0

“TNE is very much of interest, so looking at opportunities offshore is very much part of the agenda here,” Orla...

edit post
Three Injured in Early Morning Shooting at Oklahoma State University

Three Injured in Early Morning Shooting at Oklahoma State University

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 20, 2025
0

Three people, including one student, sustained injuries in a shooting at Oklahoma State University's Stillwater campus early Sunday morning, according...

edit post
Degrees boost earnings — but field of study matters, report finds

Degrees boost earnings — but field of study matters, report finds

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 20, 2025
0

Listen to the article 5 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Dive Brief:...

Next Post
edit post
Hospitals In France To Prepare For War By March 2026

Hospitals In France To Prepare For War By March 2026

edit post
NATO To Spend .5 Trillion In 2025

NATO To Spend $1.5 Trillion In 2025

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
edit post
77-year-old popular furniture retailer closes store locations

77-year-old popular furniture retailer closes store locations

October 18, 2025
edit post
Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rejects Update to Child Custody Laws

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rejects Update to Child Custody Laws

October 7, 2025
edit post
What to Do When a Loved One Dies in North Carolina

What to Do When a Loved One Dies in North Carolina

October 8, 2025
edit post
Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets: What’s the Difference?

Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets: What’s the Difference?

October 17, 2025
edit post
California Attorney Pleads Guilty For Role In 2M Ponzi Scheme

California Attorney Pleads Guilty For Role In $912M Ponzi Scheme

October 15, 2025
edit post
Baby Boomers Are Flocking to This Florida Town — but Not for the Weather

Baby Boomers Are Flocking to This Florida Town — but Not for the Weather

October 9, 2025
edit post
What We’re Buying During This Real Estate Correction

What We’re Buying During This Real Estate Correction

0
edit post
Wall Street Remains Bullish on Carvana Co (CVNA)

Wall Street Remains Bullish on Carvana Co (CVNA)

0
edit post
2025 Healthcare Stocks List | Updated Daily

2025 Healthcare Stocks List | Updated Daily

0
edit post
Post-Pandemic Inflation In Canada | Armstrong Economics

Post-Pandemic Inflation In Canada | Armstrong Economics

0
edit post
Glassnode identifies concentrated Bitcoin selling amid market consolidation

Glassnode identifies concentrated Bitcoin selling amid market consolidation

0
edit post
Why The Smartest Are Not The Richest

Why The Smartest Are Not The Richest

0
edit post
Glassnode identifies concentrated Bitcoin selling amid market consolidation

Glassnode identifies concentrated Bitcoin selling amid market consolidation

October 23, 2025
edit post
NYC mayoral candidates turn on each other in final debate: ‘Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City’

NYC mayoral candidates turn on each other in final debate: ‘Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City’

October 23, 2025
edit post
Why The Smartest Are Not The Richest

Why The Smartest Are Not The Richest

October 23, 2025
edit post
Corporate debt surge: Commercial paper issuances hit highest since April

Corporate debt surge: Commercial paper issuances hit highest since April

October 23, 2025
edit post
UK startup Mondra lands €11.4M to help food industry manage climate and supply chain volatility

UK startup Mondra lands €11.4M to help food industry manage climate and supply chain volatility

October 23, 2025
edit post
2025 Healthcare Stocks List | Updated Daily

2025 Healthcare Stocks List | Updated Daily

October 23, 2025
The Adviser Magazine

The first and only national digital and print magazine that connects individuals, families, and businesses to Fee-Only financial advisers, accountants, attorneys and college guidance counselors.

CATEGORIES

  • 401k Plans
  • Business
  • College
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Economy
  • Estate Plans
  • Financial Planning
  • Investing
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Legal
  • Market Analysis
  • Markets
  • Medicare
  • Money
  • Personal Finance
  • Social Security
  • Startups
  • Stock Market
  • Trading

LATEST UPDATES

  • Glassnode identifies concentrated Bitcoin selling amid market consolidation
  • NYC mayoral candidates turn on each other in final debate: ‘Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City’
  • Why The Smartest Are Not The Richest
  • Our Great Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use, Legal Notices & Disclosures
  • Contact us
  • About Us

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.