Table 1.

Thematic analysis of the literature identifying key features for effective and functional online learning.

Theme number	Key feature	Number of articlesa that included the key feature, n	Application of key feature to the Dementia Care Competency and Training Network (DCC&TN)
1	Self-directed and self-paced	29	Learners choose when and where to engage in the courses at a time that suits their personal commitments
2	Individualized and based on learner’s profile and background	15	Learners can choose courses based on their interests, competencies, and experiences
3	Interactive	28	Learner interaction occurs via real-time live chats and forums
4	Multimodal	22	Interactive and multimodal Web-based lessons are delivered, including video, interaction via the Web, and literature
5	Flexible	23	Interaction and learning is available at a time that suits the learner
6	Accessible	23	The program develops a dementia community of learners as they are enrolled in individual groups, regardless of location; the program has a user-friendly format
7	Consistency of information, repetition, and reinforcement	21	Questionnaires, feedback, surveys of satisfaction, and case discussions are embedded throughout courses and are reinforced by current literature and clinical champions
8	Cost-effective and good value for investment, both for the learner and the system	10	All courses are free and available to anyone who applies, regardless of professional background or geographical location; established education program is for use by educators and facilitators
9	Measures using questionnaires, feedback, and surveys of satisfaction	28	Various feedback mechanisms are utilized, including SurveyMonkey, learner satisfaction comments, and pre-post questionnaires
10	Provides equitable engagement	13	All courses are free and available to anyone who applies, regardless of professional background or geographical location
11	Facilitated, access to instructor, or mentored	25	Dementia facilitators support learners by providing weekly updates and encouragement, undertaking grading, and responding to individual emails for those learners who have not completed their learning milestones
12	Nurtures critical thinking and reflection	26	Reflective practice occurs via forum posts and discussion
13	Establishment of a learning community	22	Learners interact in real-time chats and forum posts, sharing their professional and personal experiences, providing case discussion, and sharing of clinical procedures and policies among their course group, thereby consolidating a learning community
14	Ability for translation into practice	17	Learners are encouraged to undertake activities or projects that demonstrate translation of learning into practice within the workplace

^aSee Multimedia Appendix 2 for individual references.