How to Create Online Courses for Free

byJeffBrown4

1.1K followers

3 weeks ago

Hello WA Family,

How to create online courses for free might interest some of you, so let us learn how you can create online courses for your niche at no cost to you. Any tips or tricks from experienced members are encouraged, and you can leave them in the comments for us to learn from you.

Step-by-Step Guide Using WordPress

Set up your WordPress Website:

• You'll need a domain name (your course website address) and web hosting (where your website files are stored). There are many affordable options available.

2. Install a Learning Management System Plugin

• LMS plugins turn your WordPress site into a course platform. Popular free options include

Tutor LMS

• Beginner-friendly with a drag-and-drop course builder.

LearnDash

• More features, but with a slightly steeper learning curve.

Sensei LMS (Free Version)

• Created by WordPress.com, integrates well with existing WordPress sites.

3. Install and Activate your chosen LMS Plugin

• In your WordPress dashboard, go to "Plugins" -> "Add New". Search for your chosen LMS plugin and follow the on-screen instructions for installation and activation.

4. Configure LMS Settings

• Many LMS plugins have basic settings to configure things like enrollment options and student progress tracking. You can explore these after familiarizing yourself with the plugin.

5. Create your first Course

• Look for a "Courses" section in your WordPress dashboard after activating the LMS plugin. There will likely be an "Add New" button to create your first course.

6. Build your Course Content

• Each LMS plugin has its own way of structuring courses. You'll typically be able to add modules, lessons, text, images, and videos.

7. Add Quizzes (Optional)

• Most LMS plugins allow you to create quizzes to assess student learning. This can be a great way to make your course more interactive.

8. Publish your Course

• Once you're happy with your course content, publish it to make it accessible to your students.

Helpful Tips

• Even with a free course, creating a professional-looking website with clear navigation is important for a good user experience.
• Let people know about your course!
• Promote it on social media, through email marketing, or by collaborating with other online communities.

What to Consider

• The free versions of LMS plugins may have limitations on features compared to paid plans. These limitations might include things like the number of courses you can create or student enrollment options.

By following these steps, you can create a free online course using WordPress and share your knowledge with the world! There are also many helpful resources online to guide you further, including tutorials for your chosen LMS plugin.

Online Course Outline Plan

Define Your Course Goal

• What problem does your course solve, or what skill does it teach? Clearly define the end benefit students will receive.
• For example, "By the end of this course, students will be able to write compelling blog posts that attract readers and boost website traffic."

Identify Your Ideal Audience

• Who are you creating this course for?
• What's their current knowledge level and what are their specific goals?
• Understanding your audience helps aim the content and difficulty level to their needs.

Online Course Modules:

• Think of modules as the major building blocks of your course. Each module should cover a core concept or skill.
• For example, a course on content marketing might have modules on keyword research, content creation, content promotion, and analytics.

Outline Lessons

• Modules are further divided into lessons, which are the specific teaching units within each concept.
• Lessons should be focused and actionable, with clear learning objectives for each one.
• For example, a module on content creation might have lessons on creating catchy headlines, writing different content formats, and optimizing for SEO.

Craft Learning Objectives

• Learning objectives are specific, measurable statements describing what students will be able to do by the end of each lesson or module.
• These objectives guide course development and help students track their progress.
• A good learning objective uses action verbs like "identify," "explain," "create," or "demonstrate."

Plan Your Content Delivery

• Consider the best way to deliver information for each lesson. Will it be text, video lectures, audio recordings, quizzes, or a combination?
• Varying content formats keep students engaged and cater to different learning styles.

Estimate Time Commitment

• How long will it take students to complete each lesson or module?
• Providing this information helps students manage their time effectively.

Factor in Assessments (Optional)

• Will you include quizzes, assignments, or projects to assess student learning?
• Assessments can be a great way to gauge student comprehension and identify areas that need improvement.

Helpful Tip

• Once you have a draft outline, test it out! Share it with potential students or colleagues and get feedback on clarity, flow, and comprehensiveness.

By following these steps, you'll create a well-structured online course outline that sets your target audience up for success.

Advanced Online Course Tips

Engagement and Interaction

• Many LMS plugins allow for built-in discussion forums or comment sections. Encourage your target audience interaction by posing questions, responding to comments, and fostering a community around your course.
• Consider hosting live sessions or webinars using platforms like Zoom and integrating them with your course. This allows real-time interaction and can be a great way to address questions and provide personalized feedback.
• Drip-feeding content releases lessons or modules at scheduled intervals. This helps students stay engaged and avoid information overload.

Production Value

• Invest in a decent microphone and webcam if you're using video lectures. Good audio and video significantly improve the overall learning experience.
• Use clear visuals like slides, infographics, or screencasts to enhance your content and break up text-heavy sections.
• Provide captions for your videos and transcripts for your audio lessons. This improves accessibility for all learners and caters to those who prefer to learn by reading.

Monetization Options

• Consider using a membership plugin like WooCommerce Memberships to create paid access to your course. This allows you to generate revenue from your course content.
• Ensure your chosen LMS plugin integrates with popular payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe for smooth transaction processing.
• You might explore offering different membership tiers with varying course access levels or bonus content for premium members.

Consideration This

• Make sure your course website and LMS plugin are optimized for mobile devices as many students might access the course on their smartphones or tablets.
• Optimize your course landing page and lesson content with relevant keywords to improve organic search visibility and attract potential students.
• Regularly back up your course content to avoid data loss in case of technical issues.

A well-designed and engaging online course can be a powerful tool for sharing your knowledge and establishing yourself as an expert.

Final Thoughts

Online courses can be a powerful marketing tool, you can use them to encourage newsletter signups which works extremely well. You could sell them from your website as well, so the sky is the limit to what you can do with your online courses that you can create at no cost to you.

I hope you found this helpful,

Jeff