When Writing Learning Management System Content for E-Learning, Write Less

In developing e-learning content for a learning management system, course developers often find out the hard way that in many respects, less is usually more. This truism applies specifically to the writing style of the e-learning content. “Less is more” means creating strong and interactive content which uses concise, simple, and personalized language.

In developing robust e-learning content, you’ll have to factor in issues ranging from what kind of visual and audio media and graphics, to your writing style and the best course format. These are just a few important decisions involved in developing e-learning material. But one consideration is key and resonates throughout–the writing style. In fact, a strong or weak voice can make or break an e-learning course.

What are some guidelines for creating an effective and engaging writing style?

If your learning content you is worth the time it takes to read and understand it, it’s probably based on your own experience and/or professional expertise. And since thousands of learning and pedagogical styles–not to mention course subjects–exist across the globe, it makes sense that different kinds of content are better suited by disparate writing styles.

Considering all this, why is “voiceless writing” still being hailed as the most effective and appropriate style in the e-learning community? Because of this unreasonable ideal, courseware developers often fail to create a rich and interesting authorial voice, which turns out to be a course killer.

It’s unfortunate but still true–the most popular style of e-learning content writing has involved “voiceless writing,” in which a writer strives to do away with her or his own voice. The goal is to create a formal tone without any moisture or color peeking through.

However, studies show that students respond better and are more engaged with learning content when it is presented in a more interesting and unique way, with a more nuanced and personalized tone. And many e-learning authors are warming up to the idea of writing with a voice, and doing away with voiceless writing.

In some situations, a formal, voiceless and stiff tone is simply unavoidable–and that’s alright. The more problematic issue lies in this common practice of people in the education community of an unnecessarily formal and dull writing style. Content authors often write with a tone and language that is actually intended to be wordy and difficult to read, in an attempt to garner students’ respect for the material.

So be yourself in your writing. Avoid this error which is so common to learning management system content writers, and strive instead for concise and readable content. You want to make students feel as if you are speaking directly to them; when you’ve done that, you’ve succeeded.