how to make a course description

by Freda Schroeder 5 min read

The following are tips for writing a course description:

  • The course description should be no longer than 100 words.
  • Write from a student-centered perspective.
  • Use present tense and active voice.
  • Use clear and simple sentence structure and language.
  • Use gender neutral language.
  • Use common terms that prospective students understand.
  • Use industry-approved technical terms and acronyms when appropriate.

More items...

The following are tips for writing a course description:
  1. The course description should be no longer than 100 words.
  2. Write from a student-centered perspective.
  3. Use present tense and active voice.
  4. Use clear and simple sentence structure and language.
  5. Use gender neutral language.

Full Answer

How to write an irresistible course description?

How to write successful course descriptions. The description should run from 30 words to 120 words in length. Fewer than 30 is too sketchy. Too few words make the course look insubstantial and ... The description should be divided into two paragraphs if it …

How to choose your writing course?

Course descriptions should: Be student-centered, rather than teacher-centered or course-centered; Use brief, outcomes-based, descriptive phrases that begin with an imperative or active verb (e.g., design, create, plan, analyze) Be clear, concise, and easy to understand (< 80 words) Detail significant learning experiences and benefits students can expect; Align with the …

How to read course descriptions?

Spark interest by starting your course description with an intriguing statistic, statement, question or other opener in order that easily increases the chance of engagement. Note: Keep “salesy” language in mind and use as much or as little as suits your target audience. The main point is to clearly and concisely emphasize what your course offers.

How do you write a sentence with of course?

Oct 12, 2016 · Course type (e.g., regular, honors, AP, or dual enrollment) Credit earned Which textbooks and tools were used An overview of what a student learned Methodology and grade evaluation A good approach is to attach your course descriptions as an addendum to a transcript. Space your text so that you end up with one to two course descriptions per page.

What is a course description?

A course description is. a short, pithy statement which informs a student about the subject matter, approach, breadth, and applicability of the course.

How do I write an online course description?

2:4216:08How to Write a Course Description that Converts: 13 Tips and Best ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEvery online course should have a great one or two sentence tagline. If you can't describe yourMoreEvery online course should have a great one or two sentence tagline. If you can't describe your course in two sentences. It might be time to rethink your content.

How long should a course description be?

The description should run from 30 words to 120 words in length. Fewer than 30 is too sketchy. Too few words make the course look insubstantial and may not allow for enough information to be included. If a description is, more than 120 words, it is too long.Sep 30, 2015

What does a course description look like?

Course Description Guidelines should be no longer than 125 words. should begin most sentences with a verb. should be student-centered and explain how the reader would benefit from the course. should be written in the present tense and active voice.

What is the difference between course description and syllabus?

A course description is usually written in paragraph form with complete sentences. A syllabus often contains timelines, calendars, outlines, bullet points and tables or infographics that quickly and concisely relay important information.

How do you write an introduction to a class?

Convey a sense of enthusiasm about the content and the form of the course. Include some information about yourself so students get a sense of who you are. Positively reinforce the information in the syllabus. Indicate your availability for questions and communication, and your communication preferences.

How long should a course description be?

Your job in writing a course description is much easier, since Where and When are in the logistics section, and the Who is irrelevant or a useless gesture (don’t write, “Everyone should take this course.”) Here are a few guidelines for the description: The description should run from 30 words to 120 words in length.

Why is a course description important?

The course description is vital to getting people to enroll in your course. A good course description can mean many enrollments while a poor course description can doom your course before it starts. Ideally, you should work with your class sponsor in writing the course description.

What should a description focus on?

Your description should focus upon the content of the course or the learner, not upon the course itself or you as the teacher. To attract learners, the description should emphasize the benefits to the learner coming from either the results of attending the course or from the value of the subject matter itself.

What happens if you don't read your course description?

Many if not most course descriptions are repetitive, dull or grammatically sloppy. If people do not read your course description, they will not take your course. Look at a typical course catalog.

What is logistics in a class?

Logistics. Logistics include the teacher’s name, class location, day, length, cost, material fees, course number and other adjunct information. The course sponsor normally provides this information, although you should be aware of all information pertinent to your class. The course description.

How many words should a teacher's biography be?

Don’t use useless or meaningless sentences, such as “Time allowing we will discuss other areas.”. The teacher biography. The teacher biography should be 15 to 50 words in a separate paragraph underneath the course description. Some organizations run all of their teacher biographies at the end of the catalog.

Do you need to include teacher biography in course description?

The teacher biography or qualifications should not be mixed in with the course description. This information can be brief, and should appear at the end of the course description. Do not use abbreviations unless EVERYONE knows what they stand for. Write in complete sentences.

Provide Catchy and Concise Course Details

First and foremost, offer a single, clear vision of what life will be like once the student enrolls in the course. Competing amongst dozens, if not hundreds of similar online courses, you want something that effectively catches their interest, but still manages to clearly and concisely explain what the course is about.

Include a personal benefit for the learner

Not only do you want to briefly explain what the course will offer, but emphasizing a more personal gain from the course always adds another incentive for students to purchase a course.

Clarify the benefit

Don’t just mention a simple skill the course promises to equip the learner with. How will this skill make them a better individual? Emphasize the personal gain for the learner in more ways than one.

Get a bit more specific on what will be taught

As mentioned earlier, getting too detailed on course topics or assignments can make your course less than intriguing. However, it’s important to include specifics on what the student is going to learn within the course. Be sure to highlight what skill (or skills) the student will gain once they’ve completed the course.

Add a sentence that speaks to a desire, fear, need or curiosity. Put it at the beginning

Address a need, offer a solution. This is the simplest way to attract a prospect. Hook the reader in immediately by placing this part right at the beginning and prompting THEM on the needs and desires they’re looking to fulfill.

Include a clear call to action

Last but not least, don’t forget to include a call to action! Always add an encouraging close so the potential student feels compelled to purchase and start reaping the benefits of your course.

Why is it hard to know what a course titled “Introduction to American History” actually covers

Because home schools don’t have the same uniform approaches as public or private schools , it can be hard for an admissions officer to know what a course titled “Introduction to American History” actually covers. More detail is needed, and that’s where course descriptions come in.

What is unit study?

If the coursework involves several textbooks or combination of materials and experiences —commonly referred to as a unit study—you’ll need to get more creative. You’ll probably need to write the description from scratch, but you can cobble it together from various resources, including those on the Internet.

Make it short and relevant

The first thing to consider is its length. Since it is just a description it should not be as extensive as a blog post for example. Basically, you have to say a lot by using just a few words – not an easy task but not an impossible one either.

What will the subscribers learn?

Answering this question in the course description is paramount in increasing the number of enrollments. Strive to be as specific as you can.

Who is the instructor and how will the material be rendered?

The course creator is as important as the content itself. Say something about yourself in the course description – who you are, where your passion for a particular topic comes from, what your expertise on the subject is.

What language should you use?

Your aim is to get people engaged and interested. You won’t achieve that by writing something that reads like a dishwasher instruction manual. What you need is a story – the story of taking your course and the ‘happily-ever-after’ that is subsequent to it.

Additional tips for making your description stand out

Raluca Cristescu has over ten years of experience in corporate training, focused mainly on soft skills for customer service and direct sales.

What is a course description?

For homeschoolers applying to college, course descriptions are a document that provides a brief overview of each high school course taken by the homeschool student. Every course listed on the homeschool transcript should have a detailed description in this document - even those courses that are scheduled but haven’t yet been taken or completed.

How to upload course descriptions on Common App?

Where to Upload Course Descriptions in the Common App. Step 1. In your Common App counselor account, click on “Students” in the left sidebar. Then click on your homeschooler’s name. Step 2. Click on School Report in the left tab. Step 3.

What should a homeschool instructor do?

The homeschool instructor should detail the syllabi and time dedicated to each discipline. It is expected that the home-schooled curriculum will conform to or exceed the standards of the student’s state-mandated curriculum.”. So, while schools may not use the term “Course Descriptions,” it’s exactly what they’re seeking.

How to write a transcript for a college class?

Here’s a guide to make writing them a bit easier: 1 Self designed courses: Find similar classes online and use their course descriptions as a guide when writing your own. 2 Community college courses: Copy and paste from the course catalog. 3 Former high school courses: No need to write these, but remember to request that a transcript is sent directly to each college. 4 Online Classes: Copy and paste from the online course website. Many times the syllabus is posted. 5 Textbooks: Use the summary listed on the publisher’s website. 6 Tutor: Ask if they will write one for you.

What do homeschoolers need to provide to USC?

University of Southern California (USC): “Home-schooled students need to provide us with detailed syllabi of courses, names of textbooks, details of any assistance you are receiving or curriculum you are following through any public or private agency, and any additional information that may be helpful in our review of your application.”

Is a transcript the same as a course description?

Some homeschoolers confuse the term course descriptions with the transcript. They’re not the same thing. Whereas course descriptions are detailed and lengthy, a transcript is a one-page document that simply lists course names, grades, credits, and GPA. When I refer to the transcript, I refer to that simple, one page document.

How to address learners in eLearning?

Rather than writing your description in the third person (“students of this eLearning course”), address them directly by using “you” or the implied you all throughout.

How to make students feel like they are active participants in eLearning?

Use words like “explore” or “discover” in order to make them feel as though they are active participants in the eLearning experience. Instead of using more passive words, opt for ones that encourage them to take action and sign up for your eLearning course. Avoid redundancies.

Do eLearning courses have to be dull?

There's no rule that says eLearning course descriptions have to be dull. In fact, why not open your eLearning course description with an attention grabbing statement or a question that encourages your potential learners to think about how the particular eLearning course might benefit them in the real world.

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