Scope

Educational course design and development in writing sector can be quite varied. Courses may be provided online, via distance learning, through writing schools, in colleges or even in the workplace to help with staff training.

What You Need to Learn

• Course writing skills – organising curriculum, constructing lesson aims, devising lesson content, writing assessments and assignments

• General writing skills - grammar, punctuation, sentence structure

• Non-fiction writing aids - tools and techniques, layout for different types of publications, use of style templates, vocabulary enrichment

• Planning work - working out duration, word count, use of headings, where to put information, what information to use

• Organisation skills - when & how to work, time management, goal setting, working to deadlines

• Research - understanding your subject material, fact checking, spell checking

• Communication - liaising with employers, publishers, editors, clients

• Technical skills - understanding IT, computers and software, publishing platforms, printing, website design

Starting a Career

Working in course design can be a natural progression from teaching or be part of a teaching role. However, there are many other ways to begin in this field. Some start by working in other fields building up knowledge and expertise. They may then find roles where they are able to gain work writing based on their experience, and then branch into course writing.

 The online education environment provides opportunities for people from a wide range of backgrounds. Some may start out working in IT and have skills which are transferable for the technical side of writing. Others may have industry or writing experience and be able to use that in course development.

Many larger organisations might allow designated staff members to create instructional courses e.g. for OH & S. Such courses may be delivered in a matter of hours and don’t require the same level of planning but they do have to include particular content.

Progressing Your Career

To continue in this area of work, you need to keep up with both the technical aspects of course development and the latest research in whatever field(s) you develop courses in.

This means learning:

• New advancements in technology – software, hardware, online resources

• Changes in course presentation modes

• Current research findings

You can update your skills by:

• Networking – social media, other professionals

• Joining professional bodies

• Taking workshops and seminars

• Undertaking further training

• Enrolling in courses

You may find courses which will teach you technical and research skills, as well as ones which will teach you how to write educational courses. If choosing courses concerning distance education, just be sure to select courses from providers who have actual experience in delivering online courses.