Title: Accessible language
Course: Digivisio - DEMO course template > Section: Accessibility

If you are creating materials to be studied independently, they and their instructions must be so clear that the learners know what they are expected to do. Unlike in a classroom, there might not be anybody to ask for clarifications immediately in an online environment. You should pay close attention to writing instructions.

Clear instructions and texts

Many fields contain jargon and special terminology, which the learner needs to know or learn. Making text too easy can be an ill turn against learners, if they do not learn the necessary professional vocabulary because of it.

However, you can and should do certain things. Although simplified language is not usually required, it may be useful sometimes, or at least avoiding unambiguous expressions, short sentences and avoiding excessive figures of speech.  “To be an ill turn” used in the previous sentence is an example of such a figure of speech. Clear, standard language is usually the best choice for most learners.

If possible, let somebody else read your task descriptions. They will be able to look at them from different viewpoint than yourself who know your own course and materials inside out.

It is also important to realise that somebody will always misunderstand the instructions. This is one of the reasons why an e-learning course must always have somebody’s contact information, just in case additional instructions are needed. If a course has no regular online meetings, it might be good to mention how any questions will be answered (once week/once month etc.)

Equal use of language

Language can also be used to increase equity and inclusion. What kind of a picture does the language used paint of the field in question? Are all example characters of the same gender/ethnicity? Is there a justified reason for this (sometimes there is)? When writing in a language with gendered personal pronouns – such as English – it is important to think how they are used. The “he/she” structure is considered obsolete, and e.g. Merriam-Webster recommends using the gender neutral “they”, unless the gender is known.