Writing for the web

Because many students tend to scan written text in online courses, as opposed to reading carefully, it is important that you write appropriately for your students.

Here are some rules for writing on the web:

• Keep your paragraphs short. Students want to see white space on the screen; they don't want to see huge blocks of text.
• Keep your pages short. Try to write as concisely as possible (no more than a half page). Of course, there will be times when that's not possible because of the content you need to deliver. In this case, you can do the following:
  • Use hypertext. This just means to use links that go to other pages so you can break your text up. It also allows for more in-depth reading of a topic. In Blackboard, you can use the Learning Module tool.
  • Use headings and subheadings. You can even use sub-subheadings. The idea here is that the text is easily scanned so students can easily get the main points.
  • Use bolds, colors, and bulleted and numbered lists. This is another way to make your important points stand out.
  • Write numbers with digits, not letters. For example, use 15 instead of fifteen, even at the beginning of sentences. Numbers with digits catch the eye better than when they are written out.
  • Incorporate interactive games. Add games, such as crossword puzzles, flash cards, etc. to help with recall and comprehension of written material.
• Be explicit. This is particularly important when you are writing lesson plans and assignments. Ambiguity will result in confused students and a lot of emails to you. Remember, if your instructions aren't clear, the students don't have you in front of them to ask clarifying questions. Granted, writing explicitly can result in a lot of text. If this is the case, see the above points.
• Write clearly. Obviously, the clearer you write, the less confusion for your students.