Writing and Presenting Online Content

Barry Gregory, eLearning Developer

Centre for Academic Development and Quality

Online vs face-to-face teaching…

Source: amarola, http://www.flickr.com/photos/amarola/268642793/

What’s the difference?

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66164549@N00/2260970300/sizes/l/

What do I already have?

I have some resources…

Resource 1

Resource 2

Resource 3

I have some activities…

Activity 1

Activity 2

Activity 3

What do I need to write?

Resource 1

Resource 2

Resource 3

Activity 1

Activity 2

Activity 3

A narrative to… provide a ‘pathway’ through

What do I need to write?

Writing around existing content/activities:

What do I need to write?

Writing around existing content/activities:

Before:

•Introduce and contextualise

•Make explicit links to:

• The assessment

• Module ILOs

• Other parts of the curriculum or other activities (online or F2F)

• Students’ academic, professional or general experience

What do I need to write?

Writing around existing content/activities:

Before:

•Introduce and contextualise

•Make explicit links to:

• The assessment

• Module ILOs

• Other parts of the curriculum or other activities (online or F2F)

• Students’ academic, professional or general experience]

After:

•Summarise

•Draw out key themes

•Pose further questions

•Suggest further reading

What about writing style?

Source, mrclean, http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrclean/371372515/

Source: http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/files/crashCourseInLearning.pdf

Use plain English

Image Source: Fabian Blanca, http://www.flickr.com/photos/faby74/3022829811/

Don’t say…

If there are any points on which you require explanation or further particulars we shall be glad to furnish such additional details as may be required by telephone.

Don’t say…

If there are any points on which you require explanation or further particulars we shall be glad to furnish such additional details as may be required by telephone.

Do say…

If you have any questions, please phone.

Some guidelines…

Make Text 'Scannable':

• Highlight keywords• Provide meaningful headings and subheadings• Include one idea per paragraph

Keep your Tone Reader-Friendly:

• Be conversational• Be welcoming• Use plain English

Plan your writing…

Source: Jenna Carver, http://www.flickr.com/photos/babyowls/2329783873/

Use chunks and pyramids…

Source: Thomas Hawk, http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/499430191/

Dumbing down? Nope.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/grahamel/3330127814/

Final thought about writing online content (as opposed to print content):

Make the most of the online environment:

• Link to things• Embed things• Don’t reinvent the wheel!

Watch this short video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkhpmEZWuRQ