Effective Strategies for Developing Online Courses in the University of Botswana

Abstract

Online learning has become an essential component of higher education, and its effectiveness has been demonstrated by several studies (Al-Harbi et al., 2019; Li et al., 2020). In Botswana, the need for online learning has become more significant due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Keya et al., 2020). This research paper explores the effective strategies for developing online courses in the University of Botswana. The study is based on a qualitative research method, and data was collected through in-depth interviews with 15 university professors (Cohen et al., 2017). The results of the study show that effective strategies for developing online courses include early planning, developing effective course content, use of multimedia tools in course delivery, providing adequate support to students, developing assessments that align with course objectives, and promoting collaboration and engagement among students. These strategies are crucial in ensuring that online courses are effective and meet the needs of the students (Davis & Mansour, 2019). The study recommends that universities in Botswana should adopt these effective strategies to ensure that online courses are of high quality and provide a valuable learning experience for their students.