What is Course Description #
A course description is a summary of all the relevant details of a course. It includes information such as the course objectives, topics covered, prerequisites, format, and assessment methods. The information included in a course description will vary depending on the type of course, the target audience, and the level of competence.
For example, a general interest course on “how to knit a jumper” will likely have a different course description format, tone, and writing style than an online degree program from a recognized institution of higher education. However, both course descriptions will include similar types of information such as the learning outcomes, skills and competencies the students will acquire, and the format of the course. It is important to keep in mind that the course description is often the first point of contact with potential students, so it should be clear, concise, and engaging, and provide enough information to help the students make an informed decision about taking the course.
When creating a course description, it can be helpful to break it down into specific areas of content. Some of these areas may be considered “mandatory,” while others can be included or left out as needed depending on the course and its intended audience.
For example, when placing a course on a course-selling platform such as UCreds, you may be asked to include information such as the course topic, format, an author’s bio, and other details to “build-out” the course description. This information can be used to create a comprehensive and engaging course description that includes all the relevant details about the course.
Tips for writing course description #
Your course description should be:
- Enticing and interesting
- Factually complete and accurate
- Provides solid course information
These 3 key question areas are optimally broken down into the following sections, but feel free to rename, combine, and add to this list to arrive at something that’s perfect for your audience.
- WHY? The purpose or rationale for the course/subject area covered. Why would a student take it?
- WHAT? The key content/principles/topics to be learned.
- HOW? The types of major learning activities and student experiences featured in the course.
Here we provide 3 simple steps to write an engaging course description:
- Add a tagline to your course
- Define your course goal
- Write your course learning outcomes
When creating an online course, it is important to provide an accurate and detailed course outline and description. Whether the course is intended for a corporate library or will be sold online, a clear and engaging course description can help to attract potential learners and increase enrollment.
A well-written course description should be informative, highlighting the key learning outcomes, skills, and competencies that will be covered in the course. It should also be engaging, using language that creates excitement and curiosity about the course content. The description should be written to captivate the audience, leaving them eager to sign up for the course.
It is also important to avoid writing dry and uninteresting course descriptions that simply “tick all the boxes.” Instead, the course description should be written in a way that makes the course stand out and highlights its unique value. Providing a clear and compelling course description is a key step in making your online course successful.
- Provide a detailed overview of the content types included in the course, such as video lectures, quizzes, and interactive activities.
- Identify the unique selling points of your delivery format, such as live online sessions, self-paced learning, or interactive features.
- Outline which devices the course can be accessed on, which will be important for some students.
- Don’t say too little about the course, such as simply stating “eLearning course.” This doesn’t provide enough information for the student to make an informed decision.
- Don’t use overly technical or jargon-heavy language, as it can make the course description hard to understand for some students.
- Don’t overpromise or exaggerate the benefits of the course, as this can lead to disappointment for the students.
