Kseniia Putilova
Сourse creation · 12 MIN · 14.11.2024
What is course description and why is it essential for your course promotion
Imagine many hours of work by various specialists are finally behind you, the material has been collected and processed into an educational format, illustrations have been created, the platform for hosting the course has been chosen, and the assessment process has been set up... It seems like that's everything, isn't it?
Almost, but not quite. At this stage, you've taken care of what's inside your course – certainly the most critical part. However, the learner doesn't yet know that your course is exactly what they need, which means you need to inform them about it. This is where the course description on the platform will help you.
Almost, but not quite. At this stage, you've taken care of what's inside your course – certainly the most critical part. However, the learner doesn't yet know that your course is exactly what they need, which means you need to inform them about it. This is where the course description on the platform will help you.
Source: rawpixel, freepik.com
Let's talk about what course description is, what qualities it should possess, and what elements it should contain. At the end of the article, you'll also find an example of a course description and answers to some common questions related to this topic.
What is a course description, and why is it needed?
If you've ever purchased courses on learning platforms or just visited to see how they're organised, you've probably encountered the descriptions this article is about.
A course description is a title page that gives potential learners an understanding of what to expect during and as a result of the course, how the course is organised, and who it's designed for.
There are recommendations regarding the qualities a course description should possess and what they're related to. Let's consider them below.
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Clarity. After reading the description, the learner should clearly understand what your course is for and what it contains. Avoid ambiguous and vague wording; it's better to formulate the description simply rather than creating unnecessary confusion. -
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Conciseness. Try not to describe the course in too much detail. Not every reader can handle excessively long descriptions. -
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Attractiveness. Describe the course in a way that readers can see the benefits and choose your course when comparing it with others. -
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Restraint. When describing the advantages of your educational solution, try to avoid being overly enthusiastic — it may look suspicious and cause distrust. -
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Truthfulness. Ensure that everything promised in your description is present in the course. Otherwise, your audience may be disappointed. -
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Orientation on the learner. When forming the course description, start from the needs of the potential learner and try to look from their perspective. For example, they will unlikely be interested in the phrase "our team spent four months making this course". -
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Structure. As in the course itself, information is easier for the reader to perceive when it's broken into fragments. Try to highlight each important point in a separate item; we'll focus separately on the overview of the course description elements.
Course Description Format
How your course description looks may depend on the platform where it will be presented. Many platforms have their own course description template, so when forming the description, you simply need to fill out an existing standard form. At the same time, if you're creating your description page, you can form individual points yourself. Consider in detail what is recommended to include in the course description.
Actual description
A brief text (2-5 sentences) about what topic the course is dedicated to and why this topic is essential.
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Discover the basics of Microsoft Word in this easy-to-follow course. Learn how to create and design documents like a pro, whether it's for work, school, or personal use. From setting up your first document to adding finishing touches, this course will cover all the essential features you need to know to use Microsoft Word effectively. Perfect for beginners, find out why mastering Microsoft Word is vital for anyone who wants to succeed in the office or at home.
Course goal
Formulate the general goal of the course as simply and clearly as possible for readers, but without going into details: to gain knowledge and/or skills in a particular area.
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The primary goal of this course is to empower learners with the skills and confidence to deliver compelling presentations that engage and persuade their audiences effectively.
Learning objectives/outcomes
Unlike the main course goal, these individual objectives should be as specific and measurable as possible: to understand the structure of something, to perform certain actions, to use a certain application in work processes, and so on.
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After you complete the Basic Hairdressing course, you should be able to:- Understand the fundamental principles of hairdressing, including hair anatomy, types, and basic care routines to maintain healthy hair.
- Master basic hair-cutting techniques using scissors and clippers and learn how to perform standard haircuts for both men and women.
- Develop skills in basic styling methods, including blow-drying, straightening, and curling, and understand how to choose the right products for different hair types.
- Gain basic colour theory knowledge, apply single-process hair colouring, and execute simple highlight techniques safely and effectively.
Audience and requirements
Define who the course is intended for — everyone, people of a specific profession or experience, or those with knowledge/skills in a particular field. It's also important to voice any requirements for learners, such as knowledge of English or a programming language and the availability of certain software.
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This course is designed for everyone interested in improving their photo editing and design skills.
Requirements:- Basic computer skills
- Access to Adobe Photoshop software (any recent version)
Course programme
A good course description example may not contain a programme, but it's better to include it where applicable. Specifying each topic is unnecessary; it's enough to limit it to large blocks. Accompany the programme description with notes on which material is mandatory to study and which can be skipped. Add information about checking the acquired knowledge and skills.
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Course Program (modules):- Introduction to Newborn Care Basics
- Feeding and Nutrition
- Sleep Patterns and Support
- Diapering and Hygiene
- Health and Wellness Checks
- Emotional and Practical Support in the Family
- Bonding with Your Newborn
Each module will include video demonstrations, downloadable resources, and knowledge checks.
Course format
Be sure to indicate what content format your course contains. This can be theoretical lessons, educational videos, interactive quizzes, AI-assisted task checking, etc.
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The "Introduction to Python Programming" course offers you the following:- Theoretical Video Lectures
- Interactive Quizzes at the end of each lecture
- Coding Exercises in every module
- Discussion Forums to interact with peers
Author
If the course is created or supported by a specific expert or team, it's vital to mention this. A high evaluation of the author/team contributes to the promotion of the course, and in turn, the presence of a well-made course will contribute to the promotion of a personal or corporate brand. Indicate a brief biography and achievements (rating on a professional platform, publications, etc.).
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Sarah Jameson
An award-winning author and experienced educator
A Master in Creative Writing (University of Cambridge)
Sarah has published three novels and numerous short stories. Her workshops and lectures, known for their engaging and inspiring approach, have helped thousands of writers to develop their passion for storytelling.
Course parameters
Describe parameters that may be important for the learner: course duration and/or workload, presence of deadlines, and the language(s) in which the course is available.
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Duration: 6 weeks, with a weekly commitment of 2-3 hours
Language: English
Deadlines: Flexible; complete assignments at your own pace within the course duration
Additional important information
When taking some courses, difficulties may arise that need to be communicated in advance — for example, problems with access to internet resources or obtaining a particular type of software.
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This course requires the use of the Zoom application for live sessions. Please note that Zoom might not be available to learners located in China because of regional restrictions. If you face any related issues, please contact our support team for assistance.
Related courses
If you have several courses on related topics, you can recommend them in each other's descriptions.
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Consider exploring these additional courses:- Portrait Photography Essentials: Learn techniques for capturing stunning portrait images
- Nature and Landscape Photography: Master the art of outdoor photography with a focus on landscapes and natural scenes
Course Description Sample
Now that you know what characteristics a course description should have and what elements it should include, let's put it all together. Below you can examine a well-crafted description for the course called "Housekeeping for beginners".
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Housekeeping for beginners
Step into the world of efficient home management with the "Housekeeping for Beginners" course. Explore the essentials of maintaining a clean and well-organized living space. Ideal for new homeowners or anyone looking to streamline their domestic routines.
Course goal
Equip learners with practical skills and knowledge to effectively manage and maintain their household environments.
By the end of the course, you should know how:- Master the basics of daily and deep cleaning techniques.
- Organize spaces efficiently to maximize functionality.
- Understand essential laundry practices, including washing, drying, and ironing.
- Learn simple tricks for ensuring household hygiene and safety.
Course audience
Anyone who is new to housekeeping or seeking to refresh their skills.
Agenda- Cleaning Tools and Products
- Techniques for Daily and Deep Cleaning
- Organizational Skills
- Laundry and Linen Care
- Hygiene and Safety
Author
Jane Smith, a cleaning expert with 12 years of experience in domestic management.
Course parameters
Format: video tutorials, interactive checklists, and practical assignments
Duration: 4 weeks
Study time: 3 hours a week
Language: English
Access: lifetime access upon registration
Related courses- Advanced Housekeeping Strategies
- Time Management for Busy Households
- Eco-Friendly Home Practices
To join the course, click the “Register” button.
Creating a competent course description can be challenging. Additionally, keep in mind that a well-written text description alone may not be sufficient for sales – an attractive presentation of information on the page is also important, as well as, of course, a high-quality course itself. If you have questions or need assistance at any stage of creating or promoting your educational solution, you can contact Seturon's production team.
How do I know if my course description is good?
Source: freepik.com
If you've considered all the points and drafted a description, check it against the characteristics, some of which were not mentioned above. Try to make sure that all the listed points are true about your description, and this will make it even better:
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The course description is learner-centric.
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Different parts of the description don't repeat each other.
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The course objective and learning objectives are clear.
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There are no overly long, complex sentences in the description.
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If software is mentioned in the description, its purpose is explained.
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The knowledge assessment system is described.
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The requirements for potential learners are clear.
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Further actions are clear: how to buy the course, on what dates it will be available for completion, if there are any time limitations.
FAQ
Even though the primary audience for your course is those who come to it from your blog, it's better to be well-prepared for any "guests." Your subscribers might recommend the course to their acquaintances who aren't subscribed to your blog. In this case, without a detailed course description, you might lose potential learners. Moreover, the convenience of a description page is that it's formulated very clearly and contains all the essential information about the course, so even those who missed the information in your blog can familiarise themselves with it when they decide to take the course.
Of course, when creating any sales texts, it's worth paying attention to keywords. The main reason why a course description should be so clear and specific is so that your potential learners can find it (both directly and through Google).
In cases where you're describing a course on an educational platform and need to fill in specialised fields, unfortunately, you won't be able to change the description format. At the same time, when describing a course on your website or a platform that allows free page design, you can follow your preferences. However, remember that the course description should be reasonable.
- Kseniia PutilovaInstructional designerMy favourite activities are designing edutainment, consulting, and course review. I can tell you what is not so good about your course and what we should do to fix it.
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