Using Images

A picture is worth a thousand words... so goes the saying. But is the image we are using here contributing in any way to your learning about developing online courses? Not really, eh? So, just because a picture is worth a thousand words, it doesn't mean that we should use them indiscriminately in our courses. Like everything else that you have been learning in this course, it has to serve a purpose and be aligned with your learning objectives, your activities and your examples. Using images for decorative purposes only will become distracting and take up both storage space and precious space on your page. So think about it before you add "pictures" just because it will make the page look prettier.

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Tips for integrating images into your online courses:

• Use images to illustrate key aspects of the learning.
• Ensure images are relevant and within the context of the content you are teaching. Avoid using images for "decoration" only.
• Always include a legend to help learners interpret the illustration.
• Keep illustrations close to the relevant text on the page. Make sure the text close to the illustration helps learners interpret it and tell your learners why you are using it.
• Place illustrations only after you have made reference to them in the text. Don't refer to an illustration that you are not using.
• Whenever possible, use illustrations in activities and exercises.

Examples

This page in a WikiEducator tutorial about wikis demonstrates good use of images to support learning.