The designers of courses need to teach learners in accordance with their aptitude, and help everyone get the best learning experience by minimizing barriers that they are possible to meet and realize the expected outcome.
For our design, I think the barrier that students would meet is lack of engagement to the classes and chances to communicate with other students. Thus, well-planned activities may help students have a better understanding about the materials, study in a better pace, and help them with self-regulation through the course. Therefore, I think the design can be improved by adding more activities for students to participate.
First, the instructor can share some videos, articles or material-related links in the course website for students to get familiar with the topic that would be discussed in the class. Focus on the materials provided before and during the classes, students can optionally write a weekly journal to track their studying progress.
Second, there could be a mini-presentation part in the beginning of classes. In this activity, students can be the “little instructor”. There is no much limitation about the content of presentation. Students are required to do some research about the class topic, choose the date to present, and share them in the class. They can share their favorite Korean songs, or the Korean singer or band and so on. Also, other students are encouraged to ask questions about the information that the “little instructor” shared, which can help them to have further discussion and thinking about the materials.
For students who feel uncomfortable with making presentation in front of the class, there can be another way for them to share their opinion and communicate with others. They can post their thoughts and share information on the discussion board, and other students are welcomed to leave comments or raise questions below the posts.
Third, students need to complete the exercises after each class meeting. For students who have the confusion and questions about the exercises or course materials, there would be a regularly zoom meeting to resolve these questions. Learners can also post their questions on discussion board or email to the instructor to get the answers.
As the designer, I think it is necessary to make learners feel that they are engaging in class and get what they want to learn through different appraoches that are enjoyable to them.
Reference
Inclusive Learning Design. (n.d.). https://edtechuvic.ca/edci335/inclusive-learning-design/
Universal Design. (n.d.). https://edtechuvic.ca/edci335/universal-design/
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