A good friend is embarking on a new adventure to teach online. I've done some online teaching and have been an online student off and on for 10 years. I offered to pass on lessons learned the hard way, and am writing this post to organize the thoughts.

It's not as easy as it seems to create online environments that are student-friendly and content-centered.

Students need to know:

• What do I have to do?
• When do I have to do it?
• Where can I find the things I need?
• How/when/where will I find out if I am going in the right direction?

Here are some best practice checklists (aspirational goals).

Big picture: keep aiming for simple, clean, organized, and visual.

1. Course structure (minimize procedural knowledge required):

• strong and repeating weekly routines (deadlines and assignment structure repeat each week)
• use calendar feature to show all term deadlines in advance
• units open in advance and for long periods, allowing students to manage their study time
• immediate or quick feedback (computer auto grading or your grading)
• offer alternatives/support for written directions in form of online models and audio directions
• transparent grading - give students online access to their progress
• post Code of Conduct link in course block
• post links to Moodle help in course block

2. Course layout online (make online navigation predictable and quick, minimize frustration)

• organize website consistently with course (topic names, etc.)
• keep topic or week blocks as short as possible (avoid long lists of links, minimize scrolling)
• use the "jump to section" feature so students can avoid scrolling
• type description for each resource to create another way for students to find it 
• use an image for each topic block to help students navigate and quickly identify location
• choose a non-docking theme 
• choose a theme with good contrast for links and a color scheme that is welcoming
• eliminate non-essential blocks

3. Communicating with students (encourage students to read posts and avoid blocking by students):

• set feedback expectations explicitly (e.g. I can respond M-F within 24 hrs., often sooner)
• set grading expectations explicitly (e.g.  I usually put grades online within 72 hours or sooner)
• use forced subscription forums like instructor news sparingly and intentionally
• keep online communications short and visually organized (see below)
• post and send online communications in workday hours - draft and hold for sending if nec.
• post netiquette links and expectations and monitor online posting regularly

4. Encourage student engagement (require immediate presence and monitor frequently)

• record welcome screencast that includes a picture of you
• record short tour of the website for Day 1 -show students where things are & when to do what
• make clear requirement for Week 1 online activity - Day 1 and 2
• if possible have an hour orientation class in a computer lab Week 1
• lab class: do hands-on Moodle exercise requiring use of each online skill to be needed
• use regular routine to watch student activity online - use attendance module for transparency?
• let students know on Day 1 that you are watching their online activity (and repeat regularly)
• post models for online discussions and contribute yourself authentically
• survey students about course several times, start in Week 2
• create student help desk encouraging students to help each other when you are offline

5. On-screen text and resources (respect needs of online readers and minimize frustration):

• put docs and resources into google docs - no Moodle upload of files
• create Moodle links to google resources and use "open in new window" setting
• limit to short chunks of text (online reading habits are very different!)
• organize text with headings, etc., using predictable styles
• keep visuals clean - one font, minimal marking (underlining, capitals, italics, size changes, etc.)
• limit screencasts and audio to 2 mins. if possible, max 5 min. chunks
• use sans serif font like Calibri for visual impaired students (universal design)
• type descriptor of images (universal design)
• aim for captioning of script for video (universal design)