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Overview
Flying Start is set-up following best-practice instructional principles for elearning to make it quick and easy for you to create your own online induction program.
In this section you'll find some simple practices to follow when you make your edits and customise the program to ensure consistency with the existing standards and to achieve the best quality outcome.
Language
Keep the language direct and simple. Do not use unnecessary words, sentences of paragraphs. Write as if speaking directly to the learner, e.g. 'If you'd like to request support for a new sporting team or event, please discuss with your Regional Manager'. Use the active voice ('Bob finished off the project' rather than 'the project was finished off by Bob').
Content chunks
Keep content in short bite-sized chunks to maximise comprehension, retention and learner engagement. On screens with pop-up content, we recommend keeping this to a maximum of 20 words per popup. If you can't fit all the content you want comfortably onto one screen consider adding a new page.
Prompts
On each page of the program you'll see a prompt. This is text telling the learner what they need to do next. All templates include default prompts which you won't need to change. If you do need to change or insert a new prompt make the language simple, active and short. If you refer to a specific on screen button insert the title of the button as seen on screen and use single inverted commas (e.g. Click the 'Next' button).
Acronyms The full title of any acronym should be used when it is first mentioned on any page. It is useful for the acronym to appear next to the full title in brackets, e.g. 'Living away from home allowance (LAFHA)'. Any subsequent reference on that page can appear as an acronym. |
'and' and '&'
The '&' symbol is often used incorrectly (i.e. within sentences) and therefore is best avoided altogether. If it must be used, keep it only within headings (not tables or bullet points).
Brackets
Use brackets sparingly and always remember to close brackets. Punctuation such as commas and full stops in the main sentence should appear outside the brackets.
Bullet points
Keep the bullet point format the same across the program. In the sample content provided bullet points do not end with any punctuation; to ensure consistency follow this standard for any additional content you enter.
Capital letters
Capital letters should only be used at the beginning of sentences, headings, button titles, bullet points and proper nouns.
It is only necessary to capitalise the first letter of the first word in a heading, unless the heading contains proper nouns.
Full stops
Full stops are not to be used at the end of headings but should be used at the end of all proper sentences.
Headings
Use plain language for headings so that learners can see immediately what information they’ll find under that heading. Use terms that are familiar to most people, not just to employees of your organisation.
Italics and bold
Keep italic and bold font to a minimum. If you do use italics and bolding identify a specific reason for it and keep it consistent. |