How to create a digital workbook for online courses
It’s easy to memorize facts, but it takes more effort to understand how to apply them to real life. When your online courses and workshops include a digital workbook, students get to practice and apply their newly learned knowledge, increasing their comprehension of your course material.
Educators have long used worksheets in their in-person curriculum. But with the recent popularity spike in online courses, many educators struggle to provide the same interactive experience online as they can in person. Digital workbooks fill this gap.
In this article, we’ll look at how you can create a workbook online and use it to boost interactivity and learning comprehension in your students. We’ll cover the following:
- What is a fillable PDF workbook?
- How to use an interactive workbook for your course
- Interactive workbook examples
- How do I create a fillable digital workbook PDF?
- How do I create a student digital workbook in Canva?
- How do I make an editable PDF workbook with Wobo?
- What’s the best way to create a fillable workbook?
What is a fillable PDF workbook?
A fillable PDF workbook is a book or series of worksheets and activities where students practice or test their knowledge. It’s delivered and viewed electronically rather than printed in hardcopy like “traditional” classroom handouts. Fillable PDF workbooks create a more interactive experience for those taking classes or workshops online. Digital workbooks can be as simple as a PDF file with fill-in-the-blanks sections where students can answer questions. They can also be more comprehensive and interactive and include various media types and ways for the students to interact with your course content.
Why create a digital workbook?
There are many reasons you would want to create a digital, interactive workbook for your course:
Saves paper: Rather than asking participants to print their 50-page student practice book, they can interact with a digital copy on their computer or tablet. No more wasting paper on printed copies.
Helps interpretation of content: When your students are engaged with you through their digital workbook, their comprehension of the material is heightened. They can better visualize and apply the course materials in different ways through open ended questions and interactive elements.
Students can keep their work in one place: Digital workbooks can be saved on a local device so your students can view their completed work (or work-in-progress) at any time. Students can also download and save their workbook responses anytime for future reference.
Instructors can view workbook responses: With comprehensive online workbook software, you can view the content your students input in their workbooks. It can help you see where students are struggling so you can adjust future learning content to compensate for or reteach specific skills. Coaches can take advantage of this visibility to provide feedback and guidance to their clients.
How to use an interactive workbook for your course
An interactive workbook is usually offered as an included supplement to your online course. You might teach your course live through a platform like Zoom or have your course content and modules hosted on a Learning Management System (LMS) like Thinkific or Teachable. Your workbook can be an optional or required activity, but strongly encourage learners to use it, as it could enhance their learning experience in a highly customizable way. The opportunities are endless for learners with digital workbooks including:
- Reflecting on their current state and setting goals for the future
- Performing a self assessment
- Answering open ended questions about course material
- Acting as a template for learners to create a marketing, sales, or business plan
For coaches, opportunities could look like:
- Offering opportunities for journaling and self-reflection
- Including a weekly schedule or monthly planner
- Providing a list of linked resources
Interactive workbook examples
There are many interactive elements you can include in your workbooks:
GIFs
Your interactive workbook can include GIF animations to visually illustrate key concepts or processes. Moving images in GIF format helps those with a visual learning style.
Links
In the past, if you wanted to share a link to an educational resource in your course, you would write the link on their worksheet, which they'd have to manually type into their web browser to view. With hyperlinked text in an interactive workbook, students can click on the link, and the resource will open directly on their device.
You can use links in your interactive workbooks to link to additional reading, videos, and resources that your learners will find valuable.
Sliders, radio buttons, checkboxes, drop-down lists
In a regular PDF, you wouldn’t be able to add these interactive elements. Learners would need to print their PDF out, then fill in check marks or select radio buttons with a pen. With digital workbooks, these interactive elements are simple to add and use, opening up a world of options for the types of questions that can be asked.
Text and notes areas
In your digital workbook, you can create spaces for learners to make their own notes as they progress in your course, instead of compiling notes in a notebook or separate document. This allows everything to live in one place, making it easy for learners and coaches to reference.