Scenario 5A – For shorter courses

Shorter courses present unique challenges: the limited timeframe requires immediate engagement, careful prioritization of activities, and clear structure to ensure that learning objectives are still met. Unlike longer programmes, where trust, collaboration, and reflection can develop gradually, short courses need to accelerate these processes. Teachers must therefore focus on quickly establishing Social Presence, guiding learners intensively, and simplifying the overall design to avoid overload. 

1. Prioritize Social Presence at the beginning to quickly establish a sense of community.
   In a short course, the first sessions are decisive. Learners need to feel part of a community from the very beginning to engage actively. A welcome forum, coupled with an introductory live session, helps to build quick connections and reduce the sense of isolation. By modeling openness and encouraging informal exchanges, teachers can set a collaborative tone that sustains participation throughout the course.
   Recommended tools: Forum.
   
   
2. Use more intensive facilitation strategies to ensure Cognitive Presence emerges rapidly.
   Since time is limited, teachers need to intervene more frequently and visibly in discussions and activities. Summaries, clarifications, and targeted prompts should be provided regularly to guide learners and stimulate deeper reflection. Completion tracking and badges can be used to encourage timely participation and recognize progress, adding a motivational layer that sustains engagement in fast–paced contexts.
   Recommended tools: Completion Tracking – Badge.
   
   
3. Simplify activity structures to allow students to complete tasks within the limited time frame.
   Complex, multi–step activities may overwhelm learners in a short course. Instead, tasks should be concise, clearly structured, and achievable within the time available. Simple resources such as Pages and external URLs can be used to deliver key content efficiently, while assessments should focus on essential objectives rather than extended projects. This streamlined approach ensures that learning goals are met without overloading participants.
   Recommended tools: Page – URL.