Case Study: Design and Development of an online course

Abstract

In the era of mass higher education and lifelong learning, online education is becoming more and more popular. E-learning offers the student more flexibility and freedom in time, and pace of learning. Switching to, or embedding e-learning in existing educational systems poses important issues for institutions. Delivering the students an online course that is designed and developed properly to suit various levels of students, and cater to various personal capabilities is a very difficult matter taken into consideration that the tutor and the students can only meet virtually. Quality of course design, use of appropriate tools and the context in which learning takes place are prime factors affecting success of online education. This paper discusses issues of choosing the suitable VLE, the design and development of the online course: "Introduction to Computer Science"., also, the results of the pilot testing of the course. This course is delivered to the students of the first year in faculty of computer and information sciences, Ain Shams University in Egypt.