Creating an online course can be a rewarding experience—both financially and personally. However, the process can sometimes feel daunting, especially when you’re aiming for a course that’s informative, engaging, and valuable. Even with the help of AI tools, you still need to define the structure, modules and specific outcomes for your students, and this can take weeks or even months.
If you’re finding it hard to juggle the workload, you’re not alone. The key is to break the process down into manageable steps. Here’s how to approach your online course creation without overwhelming yourself:
1. Aim for Progress, Not Perfection
Instead of attempting to finish your entire course in one sitting, aim to complete 2–5 modules per day. Focus on small, consistent progress and you’ll stay productive without burning out. For this you can utilize the Pomodoro technique.
The Pomodoro technique is a time management method designed to improve focus and productivity by breaking work into intervals, typically 25 minutes, called “Pomodoros.” Pomodoro is named after the Italian word for “tomato” 🍅 because its creator, Francesco Cirillo, used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to develop the method in the late 1980s. The timer became a symbol of the technique’s focus on breaking work into manageable chunks, making it simple yet effective. After each Pomodoro, you take a short 5-minute break to recharge, with a longer break after every four intervals. This technique helps maintain concentration, reduce burnout, and manage tasks more effectively.
Try using the Pomodoro Technique and set a timer to keep yourself on track:
- Work for 20–25 minutes on 1–2 modules.
- Take a short break (5 minutes) to relax.
- Repeat the cycle 2–3 times, then take a longer break.
2. Let AI Lighten the Load
AI tools can be a game-changer when it comes to brainstorming ideas, creating modules, and drafting content. AI won’t replace your expertise but can act as a a nice collaborator to save you time and mental energy. For example, if you’re unsure how to structure a module, type in your ideas, and the AI can suggest a logical flow.
Instead of starting from scratch:
- Write down a list of key ideas or learning objectives for your course.
- Use AI tools, like ChatGPT, to help you expand those ideas into comprehensive modules.
- Provide a brief description, and let AI generate outlines, video scripts, or even full-text lessons.
3. Stay Student-Centric
It’s easy to get lost in the details of content creation, but always keep your target audience in mind. Keeping a clear focus on your students’ needs will guide your efforts and help you avoid unnecessary complexity.
Ask yourself:
- What will my students gain from this module?
- How can I make this lesson clear and actionable?
4. Balance Passion with Practicality
Your course doesn’t need to include everything you know about a subject. Focus on quality over quantity, and let your passion for teaching shine through. Pick meaningful content that is really useful for your students and avoid overloading your course with too much information.
5. Use Templates and Tools
Starting with a blank page can feel intimidating. Templates can provide a solid foundation for your course structure. Platforms like teachr offer built-in tools and frameworks to simplify the process, helping you:
- Organize your course content.
- Design visually appealing and interactive course materials.
- Makes publishing and sharing your course easy.
If you’re looking for a platform that aligns with your values and speeds up the creation process, teachr is a fantastic option.
With teachr, you can:
Start with a topic and a short description – with the AI course generator you start with a just a small text input and teachr AI creates the first sections and modules for you.
Build courses faster than the speed of thought using teachr’s AI-powered tools.
Share and sell courses that uplift individuals and promote sustainability.
Turn your passion into a meaningful course that leaves a lasting positive impact. teachr’s AI capabilities allow you to create stunning course content with as little as a single line of text, making the process seamless and stress-free.