Learn how to create online courses with professional looking

To create online courses that have a professional look and ensure more credibility for your course, nothing better than to learn from those who mastered it.

So we invite Interface Designer, Nathalia Schoen Munhoz, to tell how it is to create templates, record and edit videos, and give tips for you to do the same, without hiring help.

Check out the interview below and learn to create online courses beautiful and well designed .

1 – What programs do you usually use to create templates and presentations?

I use programs such as Axure to create the skeleton of the screens when necessary. Then I create the layouts and do image editing in Photoshop and use Illustrator when I need to draw something or do some illustration. But I also use a lot the good old pencil and paper to organize ideas and make sketches before starting a job.

2 – What is important in a good layout?

The interface design work begins in the planning and organization of information, on paper. For your layout to be good it is first necessary that the information is well organized and categorized. After that, use a grid to arrange the information on the screen the best possible way. It is important that all information is easily found by the user and the interface is intuitive. A good design is one that you do not need to train the user, because he can find everything by himself.

3 – Some design tips for beginners?

Search for many references and base your work on that. If you do not know how to start, the starting point is research. Look for projects  similar to yours and styles you like, to see how the professionals who work with it solve every interface problem. You will learn a lot, and it serves to any area. Try to make each job has a challenge, even if small, because that way you will always learn something new. And remember that you will not learn everything from morning to night, it is a process, you advance a little every new day, every new job. Respect your learning time.

4 – How do you record home videos? What tools you use?

Depends on the type of video. When is a video talking about something that needs more information, I do a search, I write down the most important information and mount a script with the topics that I need to talk. Then I use this script to guide me in time to record.

When is a tutorial video is more complicated, because I have to plan more before start, separate the materials and make sure I have everything I need. At the time of recording, I need to make sure that the steps I’m following are being captured by the camera so the person watching understand what I was doing. With every step of the tutorial recorded, I need also to record an introduction and conclusion for this video.

With the raw material filmed, I edit all video joining introduction, the tutorial itself and conclusion. And after all that I still need to add text on the screen when necessary, and record the narration on top of the tutorial, so that who is watching is also able to fully understand each step.

For recording I use a semi professional camera, a tripod and prefer to use natural lighting (record during the day is the best), but if I can not I add an indoor lamp through a filter that I made of tissue paper to have more diffuse light, like a lightbox. I also have a unidirectional microphone that I use for stories, and that’s basically it.

5 – How do you edit videos? It’s difficult?

I use Adobe Premiere to edit my videos, but in general all the editing tools are relatively similar, and you can use the one you prefer to create online courses. The basics of video editing is cut what is unnecessary. I create a folder for each video and put the videos, photos and music that will be used in it. Then import these files into the program and start to join them, edit. In general I put the raw video on the timeline, start to watch and make the cuts. After the cuts has the color correction and audio, the transitions of image and audio between each section and the application of the effects, titles and subtitles when needed. It is easy but it is time consuming, because you’ll need watch the same video multiple times to make sure that what you’re talking will make sense on the edition.

6 –  For those who will record their first video, what do you recommend?

First of all, know your first video will hardly be good. But it’s okay. Create online courses is like anything in life, you will only learn with time and practice. My first videos were horrible, but if it were not for them I would not have gotten the point that I am today, and I will improve a lot yet. Another thing is that to talk to the camera can be much harder than it looks. So keep in mind what you will talk, write a script on paper and practice in front of the mirror if you need before start recording.

At the time of recording, always try to think about the edition. If you stuttered or said something wrong, no problems, repeat the phrase until the way you want, because you can cut in editing later and no one will see what you missed. In fact, it is always good to think about the edition at the time of recording, so you can make strategic breaks for cuts, for example. These are things you will learn naturally after that you get used to record and edit. If you feel unsure, start recording something to test and to watch, so you can see your mistakes and correct what is needed. But most importantly, do not be afraid to start! It’s all up to you.

Create online courses requires a bit of time, practice and perseverance, but once you get the hang, all the effort worth it.

Course done, sign up on Coursify.me and start to promote and sell it to your audience. Complete eLearning platform (LMS), visit the Coursify.me website and learn how we can help you work with what you like.

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We talked here about the Distance Education market in Brazil and its excellent levels of growth, investment and commitment by an increasing number of students, teachers, universities and companies.

It is no wonder that with access to the internet increasingly facilitated, learning online will be the teaching method more sought by those who do not have time, financial conditions or easy access to educational institutions. But what about the e-Learning International market? How distance education is seen in the rest of the world?

E-Learning International Market: data and trends

A report on e-Learning Market Trends and Forecast 2014 – 2016 released by Docebo, provides a detailed segmentation on business opportunities in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.

The research is backed up with facts and figures top trends, topics and predictions for each area, and gives a comprehensive overview on the e-Learning international market:

The adoption of the SaaS (software as service) model is playing a pivotal role in reshaping the entire industry and has a huge influence on increasing the e-Learning market size. Analyst reports show evidence of SaaS Industry growth and this trend will continue for at least the next three years.

There are 3 main reasons for seeing this upswing in SaaS:

• Speed of implementation
• Savings on capital expenditures
• Savings on operational expenses

The online education is done through platforms that operate in SaaS model. These platforms, known as LMS, Learning Management System, are responsible for hosting courses and schools online and offer all necessary resources for the teaching and learning within virtual world.

Major trends in the e-Learning international market

According to the LMS technology become more and more sophisticated, the e-Learning international market changes, evolves and presents the trends that gradually reflect on distance education in different regions of the globe. Check out some of the top e-Learning trends in 2016:

Mobile Learning

Mobile learning, or mLearning, is one of the main reasons company owners launch learning management systems. These leaders want their employees to have the luxury of accessing training resources on any device, at any time, from any place. It’s estimated that the mobile learning industry alone will grow to over $37 billion by 2020.

Gamification

Of all the eLearning trends, gamification is perhaps the most fun. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend time gaming? It offers a welcome break from the hectic day. At the same time, gamification in the workplace promotes training and knowledge retention; and it does a great job of bringing elements of entertainment and relaxation to any type of online training.

Video-class

There is an estimate that, nowadays, people spend more than five hours per day watching videos. Data indicate that the traffic dedicated to the consumption of online videos will reach 80% in 2019. In this reality, there is no doubt that use videos in online classes is an idea that is sure to attract many students.

Big Data

According to an article published by Learnnovators, Big Data (as it relates to eLearning) is defined as “the data produced by learners interacting with the learning content”. This data is collected through Learning Management System and other media. This year, Big Data has been a big trend in e-Learning international market, and it will continue to be one as time passes.

Competency-Based Learning

Employers and employees alike are becoming enthusiastic about competency-based training. This is because it helps employees get promoted quickly. The opportunity to self-assess, determine skill sets, and what skills will be needed to advance one’s career provides motivation for the learner, and greater value for the organization whose learners are more engaged in training and developing demonstrable skills.

As you can see, the e-Learning international market keep growing with optimism, already well established even in the corporate middle.

SaaS for hosting online courses, the Coursify.me is a complete platform for teaching and learning online and already counts with various professionals and students enrolled. In a market in full expansion, the return on investment and success is promising and expected in a short time. Contact us via email help@coursify.me and host your online course with whom it is a reference in the area.

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