A fit for purpose pedagogy: Online learning designing and teaching

PurposeAs online learning becomes more ubiquitous and particularly in consideration of the current need to move classroom based teaching online given Covid-19, it seems opportune to address the pedagogical differences between online and face-to-face teaching, so that online delivery moves beyond the paradigms of its face-to-face counterpart, such as the lecture. This paper explores the need for a fit for purpose pedagogical approach for online learning, as opposed to one in which a classroom based pedagogy is applied, often rather clumsily to an online learning environment.Design/methodology/approachThe engagement of students in an online learning environment is closely associated with student success. The argument is that students who are actively engaged are more likely to learn and to achieve greater success. Student engagement is facilitated through the design and arrangement of the learning material, and by the presence, attitude and the facilitation of learning by the online teacher or trainer.FindingsRather than presenting any research findings this paper simply explores concepts relating to online learning design and online teaching.Practical implicationsThe practical implication of this paper are better alignment between teaching/training interventions and learning design.Originality/valueThis paper is a viewpoint paper and is original. This paper has not been submitted elsewhere. 10;10;This paper would be a valuable resource for those new to online learning or those looking to establish a fit for purpose approach to online learning.