how to write a great course catalogue.

by Mr. General Klocko 5 min read

Words with double meaning, “double entendre,” is what lies at the core of great catalog copy. You should also pay attention to the words which can be used both as a NOUN and a VERB (e.g., “work) or as a NOUN and an ADJECTIVE (e.g., “clear) since they offer many opportunities for word-play and subliminal messaging.

Best Practices for Writing a Catchy Course Description
  1. Use active tense.
  2. Keep it simple and pointed.
  3. Showcase the benefits.
  4. Address needs and offer solutions.
  5. Use a quote.
Apr 9, 2021

Full Answer

What should be included in a course catalog?

It includes a brief description of each course. The written description will sometimes include a grade level, prerequisites, course length, amount of credit, etc. Nowadays, course catalogs can easily be accessed online. Just search for the college or university that you are planning to enroll in and you can view the courses that they offer.

What makes a good catalogue writer?

They are about finding the clearest way to describe and explain. The catalogue writer opens a door, makes the viewer’s experience of the work more meaningful and satisfying, and puts the work in a context that helps it to be understood and appreciated.

What makes an online course catalog successful?

The ability to connect and interact with various systems is a hallmark of an online course catalog. For example, the University of Colorado Boulder integrates its catalog with scheduling and curriculum management systems, allowing information from the catalog to flow directly into such systems, says Registrar Kristi Wold-McCormick.

What are some examples of good course descriptions?

By including your interest or motivation in teaching the course, the participants will also see you as a likable peer. Here are examples of good course descriptions. Batik Batik is an age old art of fabric coloring using wax and dye.

How do you write a course catalog description?

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 makes a good course description?

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.

How do you write course content?

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.More items...

How do you write a course summary?

How to Write a Course DescriptionBe 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)More items...

What is course content example?

Any informational material that is required for participation or understanding content such as assigned readings, video recordings, exams, and any other material needed for learning.

What is a course template?

Course templates allow you to configure, store and reuse components of a course, such as quizzes, assignments, surveys, images, and so on, and then use the components in individual course offerings.

What is an academic course catalog?

The academic course catalog, used regularly by every student and advisor to select courses and chart academic pathways, hasn’t changed much over the years— even as the courses and the registration process have been completely transformed by technology. Most colleges and universities offer an online versions of their catalogs, ...

Why are digital catalogs important?

Digital catalogs allow institutions to provide better service to students, faculty and other users. For instance, a mobile-friendly course catalog means users can easily access it anytime, anywhere, says Wold-McCormick.

Why do advisors need a digital catalog?

For advisors, a robust digital catalog allows them to quickly find and easily share the information they need to help students because the content is in smaller, more manageable chunks. “Advisors can share a link to a specific program, rather than a document section containing dozens of programs,” Moseley says.

When will colleges start offering online courses?

November 4, 2019. Most colleges offer an online version of the course catalog—but many aren’t taking advantage of the connectivity and smart technology available. In an age of highly connected campuses and smart devices, an essential campus document has been one of the last remnants of an earlier time.

Does Bakersfield College have an online catalog?

Most colleges and universities offer an online versions of their catalogs, but few are putting to use the connectivity and smart technology available. For instance, Bakersfield College in California had been posting its catalog online for several years “in a static PDF format,” says Bill Moseley, dean of academic technology.

What is a course catalog?

curriculum guide. A course catalog is basically a document that lists the courses that are being taught at a school. It includes a brief description of each course.

Can I access my college catalog online?

Nowadays, course catalogs can easily be accessed online. Just search for the college or university that you are planning to enroll in and you can view the courses that they offer. Printed course catalogs are also helpful to students that personally go to the college and enroll.

What is a good course outline?

A good course outline allows students to assess the course for fit with their learning needs, clearly understand what is expected of them and how they will benefit from the instruction.

What is course description?

A course description is an important part of the course outline. The course description needs to reflect exactly what will be covered in the course and how learning will be assessed by assignments and/or tests.

Is a prerequisite a co-requisite?

Prerequisites/Co-requisites. If the course is at an advanced level, it may be wise to request a prerequisite (a course that must be completed prior) or a co-requisite (a course that is taken concurrently). This ensures that students have a foundation level knowledge of the topic before completing the more advanced course.

What is Inspirationfeed magazine?

Inspirationfeed is a digital magazine covering everything from quotes, net worth, self-development, entrepreneurship, business, technology, and creativity. Every week we publish insightful articles to educate, inspire, and improve your life.

What is the next big thing in print design?

Last Updated on July 1, 2020. Apart from business cards, the next big thing in print design is Brochures and Catalogs. Brochures provide a company’s promotional material or product information. When you are designing with CMYK colors, its very important to create a visually appealing design.

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Harness Online Capabilities.

Integrate The Catalog with Other Systems.

  • The ability to connect and interact with various systems is a hallmark of an online course catalog. For example, the University of Colorado Boulder integrates its catalog with scheduling and curriculum management systems, allowing information from the catalog to flow directly into such systems, says Registrar Kristi Wold-McCormick. When a user conducts a search in the online sc…
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Improve Accessibility and accuracy.

  • Digital catalogs allow institutions to provide better service to students, faculty and other users. For instance, a mobile-friendly course catalog means users can easily access it anytime, anywhere, says Wold-McCormick. In most cases, web-native catalogs are optimized for accessibility as well. At CU Boulder, the registrar’s office collaborated with its catalog vendor, Le…
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Consider Incorporating Emerging Technologies.

  • Few higher ed institutions have incorporated machine learning capabilities, such as artificial intelligence, into their course catalogs, but some are exploring the possibilities. CU Boulder administrators are investigating the use of chatbots and other AI options for a number of uses in the registrar’s and enrollment management offices. Related: Co...
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Basic Course Information

  • Course Name, Number, Credits and Description
    Avoid using cute names that do not clearly indicate the course content. Choose a simple name that conveys the depth and breadth of the subject that will be taught. Assigning course numbers (a 3-4 letter code and/or number) will clearly show potential students the level of the course. Fo…
  • Prerequisites/Co-requisites
    If the course is at an advanced level, it may be wise to request a prerequisite (a course that must be completed prior) or a co-requisite (a course that is taken concurrently). This ensures that students have a foundation level knowledge of the topic before completing the more advanced c…
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How and What Students Will Learn

  • Learning Outcomes
    The learning outcomes are the goals of the course i.e. what the course is meant to teach students. Often it is the learning outcomes that help a student determine if the course will meet their needs. It is important to use language that does not make false promises. For example, “St…
  • Content Breakdown by Session
    Typically this section of the course outline is a session by session breakdown of the topics or course content covered. List the dates of the sessions or refer to each session with phrases such as “week one” or “day one”.
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Course Participation and Evaluation Guidelines

  • Course Evaluation Process, Policies and Grading Scale
    Students will be very interested in how their learning will be evaluated through tests, assignments, projects, etc. List the different evaluation tools to be used with the percent of the final grade they represent. Also include exam writing policies such as whether exams can be taken at a later dat…
  • Classroom Rules/Code of Conduct Expectations
    An outline of consequences should student be caught plagiarizing, cheating or acting out in class is outlined in this section.
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Course Materials

  • Course materials include: 1. Required and Optional Texts 2. Readings both pre-readings and course readings 3. Supplies and equipment needed A well written course outline can be a great course marketing tool, can set clear expectations for student and help instructors to prepare lesson plans. A good course outline can also help record course structure for future offerings. C…
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