When we hear the word “declutter,” rarely do our online courses come to mind. As educators, we often accumulate digital clutter: duplicate files, outdated materials, and unnecessary content that can overwhelm both ourselves and our students. Here’s why you should conquer your course clutter and some practical steps to get started.
Why Declutter Your Course?
Enhance Productivity and Reduce Anxiety
Digital clutter can significantly impact productivity and mental well-being. A cluttered digital space can make it challenging to find important files quickly and can increase feelings of stress. Think about how stressful a messy house can make you feel! By decluttering, you create a more organized and efficient workspace that helps you and your students focus and feel more in control.
Improve Accessibility
Cluttered content can create barriers for students, especially those with attention deficits or learning disabilities. A streamlined course design makes it easier for all students to navigate the material, improving their overall learning experience.
Optimize Course Design
Decluttering your course allows you to focus on what’s most important. It provides a clearer picture of your course structure and content, making it easier to design and organize effectively.
How to Declutter Your Course
Start with the Essentials
Marie Kondo, the decluttering guru, advises starting the process by discarding unnecessary items. Apply this to your course by identifying and removing duplicate content, outdated files, and materials that are no longer relevant. This initial step can significantly reduce clutter and make the decluttering process more manageable.
Organize Remaining Content
Once you’ve cleared out the excess, organize what’s left. Use clear and consistent file naming conventions and create a logical folder structure. For example, you might organize files by type (e.g., Banner Images, Videos, Readings) or by module (e.g., Week 1 > Readings). This makes it easier for both you and your students to find important resources.
Design with Intention
Good design is not just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality. Use whitespace effectively in your course to improve reading comprehension and focus. Visually distinguish essential content from supplemental materials to guide student attention. For instance, using lighter-colored headings for optional content or separating out supplemental content can help declutter the visual design of your course.
Practical Tips for Decluttering
- Set Aside Time: Dedicate a specific time to declutter your course, whether it’s an hour a week or a full day. Consistent, scheduled decluttering can prevent overwhelming buildup.
- Start Small: If the task seems too daunting, begin with one section or type of content, like course readings or multimedia files. Achieving small wins can motivate you to continue.
- Seek Feedback: Ask your students for feedback on what content they found useful or confusing. Their input can help you identify what to keep and what to discard.
Decluttering your online course not only creates a better learning environment for your students but also makes your teaching experience smoother and more enjoyable. By taking the time to organize and streamline your course, you’re investing in a more effective and accessible educational experience.
Upcoming Events
Workshop Wednesday: Student Brainstorming Tools in Canvas
July 10, 1:30-2:30 pm
This workshop is focused on helping students brainstorm in online spaces. This training will cover tools to help students brainstorm online, such as concept and mind maps, to organize and refine their ideas. When registering, please include any questions you have about this training topic.
Facilitated by ‘Dara Abimbade, Ph.D., Digital Learning Strategist.
Registration: WW: Student Brainstorming Tools in Canvas.
Designing Engaging Discussion Boards
July 17, 1:30-2:30 pm
Discussion boards are a great way to build community and low-stakes engagement in an online classroom. But how do we design discussion board assignments that keep students actively engaged in conversation throughout the semester? This training will cover several pedagogical approaches to active discussion boards and a variety of helpful discussion board tools you might implement in your courses. When registering, please include any questions you have about this training topic.
Facilitated by Millie Tullis, Digital Learning Strategist.
Registration: Designing Engaging Discussion Boards.
Clemson Online Summer 2024 Events Calendar
Review our Summer 2024 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!
We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!
All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.
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