Prioritizing the Learner

Imagine handing learners a training manual filled with dense, jargon-heavy text and lengthy explanations. Training doesn’t have to feel like a struggle. In fact, successful training modules are accessible, engaging, and even enjoyable. As a bonus, well-executed work-related training offers employees the opportunity to take a welcomed break from their daily routines.

Why Plain Language Matters

Plain language is a writing style that is clear, easy to follow, and uses simple words and phrases while avoiding unnecessary complexity or jargon.

• Example using complex and jargon-filled language: “The institution leverages a comprehensive cognitive training model with an emphasis on advanced problem-solving techniques, optimizing individual learning trajectories while fostering robust cognitive restructuring.”
• Example using simple, plain, and clear language: “At this learning center, educators use a training method that emphasizes problem-solving skills. They help learners improve their understanding by guiding them through different approaches to tackle challenges.”

The second example is more effective because it uses simplified language and direct explanations. The content becomes learner friendly and easier to grasp.

The Importance of Plain Language Writing

In the world of online learning, plain language writing is a powerful tool for designing effective courses.

Tips to write for clarity and understanding:

• Put information in logical order, with the important details first. For example: “’Designing Accessible Outdoor Spaces’ is a new course that will be offered this fall” is easier to grasp right away than “There is a new course offering coming this fall called ‘Designing Accessible Outdoor Spaces.’”
• Use active voice, with a clear “actor” in your writing. For example: “You must enroll in the course by Tuesday, April 9, 2024” is more clear than “Course enrollments must be completed by Tuesday April 9, 2024.”
• Use language familiar to your target audience and provide definitions for any unusual words. For example, let’s look at the unusual word “contagion” (disease that is easily spread). Tuberculosis is an airborne contagion, which means this disease is easily spread through the air by coughing, sneezing and spitting.
• Spell out acronyms as they are introduced and occasionally throughout the text. For example: “Every year, he donates $200 to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).”

Plain Language Adoption Success Story

In 2022 the OM Team determined that a set of onboarding modules for a private research university needed to be revised. The original modules were dense and text-heavy, making it difficult for learners to understand and engage with the content.

By embracing plain language and rebranding the modules, the creators were able to make the training concise, clear, and easy to understand. Learners responded enthusiastically to the new content.

Data showed a 44% increase in learner engagement and better understanding of the onboarding material. This success story demonstrates how plain language can lead to more effective and enjoyable learning experiences.

Final Thoughts

Plain language is not just a buzzword. It’s a powerful writing approach in successful course design. By embracing clarity and simplicity, course creators can transform their learning materials and uplift the learning experience for everyone.

You can find out more about using plain language and other accessibility topics by visiting Oleb Media and signing up for our newsletter: The Digital Inclusion News. You are also encouraged to download our guide on plain language: The Course and Content Creator’s Guide to Writing in Plain Language.

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While many online course creators are aware of the importance that color and alt text play in making content accessible, plain language doesn’t always get the same level of priority. This blog explores what plain language is and why it’s important and provides tips for incorporating plain language best practices into online course design.

What is plain language?

Plain language, also known as plain writing, is a decades-old movement that aims to improve the readability of documents.

Why is plain language important?

Learners of all levels and disciplines benefit from the integration of plain language into online course design.

Adoption of plain language principles in online course design improves learner understanding of training materials and content. The use of plain language principles also improves ease of navigation through course content like lessons, activities, and quizzes.

Moreover, plain language aids people with visual and neurodivergent conditions as well as English learners. This is because using plain language replaces complex sentence structures with short sentences and paragraphs that are easier to follow.

Simplifying language in training course materials also supports a wider range of learners. For example, adopting plain language principles benefits learners who are fatigued, distracted, or multitasking.

The benefits of implementing plain language in your design strategy can’t be overstated. Your learners will thank you as they are able to acquire and retain the content in your course materials easily.

Follow these tips to expand access to more learners in your target audience and boost the success of your online training courses.

10 tips to help you start implementing plain language into your next online course

1. Write in active voice

Active voice makes it clear who did what. It identifies the actor and their action. For example, write, “The dog bit the man,” instead of the passive, “The man was bitten by the dog.”

2. Remove extra words

Avoid the use of adverbs. Words like very, really, and extremely cloud clarity. Also, use adjectives carefully. Sometimes they are needed, but half the time, readers can do without them. For example, write, “Using treats for training won’t be effective if the dog is hungry,” instead of, “Training treats will not be as effective if the dog, big or small, is very hungry.”

3. Use short sentences

Short, concise sentences are easier to understand and follow than long, complex sentences. For example, “The cat sat on the mat” is easier to understand than “The feline positioned itself upon the oval braided floor covering.”

4. List important details first

Put all vital information at the start of a sentence. For example, write, “Train Your Dog to Sit is a new course being offered this fall,” instead of, “There is a new course being offered this fall called Train Your Dog to Sit.”

5. Avoid the use of obscure terms and acronyms

Provide definitions for abbreviations. For example, write, “This dog training course is certified (official) through the American Kennel Club,” rather than, “This canine obedience class has been certified through the AKC.”

6. User experience testing

User experience testing involves conducting tests with a diverse group of users, including those with neurodivergent conditions and dominant language learners, who represent the target audience for your training course. These tests can help identify any language barriers or issues that may be hindering the learning experience for users.

7. Use examples

Provide real-world examples to help learners understand abstract concepts. For example, provide examples of how a math formula can be used in everyday life.

8. Use simple, clear headings

Headings should be descriptive and clearly convey the content of the section. For example, use “How to use the online course platform” instead of “Navigating the digital interface.”

9. Break up complex ideas into simple parts

If a concept is complex, break it down into simpler parts to make it easier to understand. For example, explain the different parts of a computer separately instead of all at once.

10. Use everyday language

Use everyday language that is easy to understand instead of using less commonly used words. For example, use “buy” instead of “purchase” or “use” instead of “utilize.”

Ready to start writing in plain language?

While using plain language may seem counterproductive at first, you will reap the benefits when your courses can be marketed to a wider community of learners. You’ll be happy you made using plain language an important part of your instructional design approach.

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On March 3, 2022, the American Library Association (ALA) announced that it will offer more than $7 million in grants to eligible small and rural libraries to support their accessibility efforts. The grants will be offered through the ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities project and are aimed to improve the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve all library patrons, including those with disabilities.

“Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities represents an important next step in ALA’s commitment to serving small and rural libraries as well as emphasizing the essential connection between accessibility and our work in spreading the values of equity, diversity and inclusion,” said ALA President Patricia “Patty” Wong. “Made possible by a generous grant, this project will also allow ALA to strengthen our staff by providing accessibility training and other professional development around EDI issues. We are also grateful for the opportunity to bring on ALA’s first accessibility officer to oversee our work on this important core value.”

The ALA will begin accepting applications for the new grants starting in November, 2022. The grant money will be awarded over the next three years, ranging in award amounts between $10,000 and $20,000. Each library receiving a grant award will need to gather information to first identify the accessibility needs and solutions that would make the most impact on those they serve. Then, they can use the funds received to focus on improving those services.

Information on how to become an advisor to help the ALA review grant applications can be found on the ALA website.

Photo by Janko Ferlic from Pexels

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I encourage you to click through to read the full interview, which includes tips like improving how you use and create the alternative text (“alt text”) on your website and social media accounts. Here’s an excerpt:

Alternative text is a written description of what is shown in an image. It can also help assistive technology, such as screen reading tools, to interpret images. It’s a useful tool, but many users overlook it and some don’t use it correctly.

All images should include well-written alternative text. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have built-in alternative text features, but the generated text isn’t always reliable.

Digital inclusion specialist Belo Miguel Cipriani navigates social media with the help of assistive technology after becoming blind in 2007. He sometimes finds himself unable to decipher an image due to faulty alternative text.

“When it comes to social media, often what I hear is ‘image, image,’ or ‘image 024’ with a super long number,” Cipriani said.

“I wouldn’t rely on anything automated.” Cipriani said. “Anything that’s providing important information should be created manually. You don’t want the information to be missing important pieces.”

There are a few best practices for writing alternative text that should sound familiar to journalists. Some of them include: Use correct grammar, be concise and specific, and include all relevant details.

Cipriani said adverbs can cloud the clarity of the alternative text. His advice: Don’t use them at all.

Read the full interview on the Poynter Institute website and I encourage you to leave your comments below. Also, Oleb Media will be launching a Mastering Alt Text class soon, so sign up to our newsletter to get the latest updates on when to expect the class to start — and much more.

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Out of a list of the 72 most popular federal websites, only four sites earned perfect scores when tested for compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The four sites that passed the test include:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services
• The White House

The lowest-scoring federal websites for accessibility include:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• United States Marine Corps
• Energy Information Administration

“Web accessibility should be a top priority for the federal government,” said ITIF Vice President Daniel Castro, who co-authored the report. “Creating an accessible website requires taking into account the fact that not every user will be able to see or hear content, or use a keyboard or mouse to navigate. Web developers should adhere to accessible-design principles, such as using high-contrast colors, providing text alternatives to audio and visual content, avoiding the use of flashing animations that might cause seizures, and using labels for buttons so people using a screen reader can navigate the site. Following those design principles will not only help people with disabilities, but also ensure all users can navigate federal websites more easily.”

According to the CDC, 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability. Not only should web accessibility be a top priority for the federal government, it should be a top priority for all types of businesses and organizations.

Getting started with digital accessibility can feel like a huge task – especially without a technology background. Oleb Media specializes in helping organizations create a digital inclusion strategy so that they can operationalize digital accessibility and foster the most inclusive digital presence. Please contact us for a free one hour consultation.

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