02 01 assignment instructions

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4 Tips for Writing Good Online Assignment Instructions

Audrey Wick is an English professor at Blinn College in central Texas.

Instructors in higher education classrooms want students to rise to their expectations. They also want students to be academically successful because effective completion of a college course is a win-win for both the student and the instructor.

To help students meet the challenges of their college-level assignments, instructors should take care to craft assignment instructions that are clear, concise, and attainable. As you get started, here’s what to consider:

Itemize the Minimum Assignment Requirements

There are many approaches to writing assignments, but don’t bury information. Front the most important requirements, especially those that are minimum standards for an assignment to be accepted. For instance, in a writing assignment, instructors may want to specify requirements, for example:

• 500 words minimum
• At least 2 sources
• Modern Language Association (MLA) style
• Due to digital dropbox in Blackboard by Thursday, September 24 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)

For an exam, instructors may include things like:

• 50 multiple-choice questions
• 60-minute time limit
• Closed-note/closed-book exam
• Proctored through Honorlock in the eCampus digital classroom
• Deadline = Wednesday, September 30 by 7:00 p.m. (ET)

Avoid acronyms, confusing abbreviations or other ambiguous information in directions. Identifying exact hourly deadlines and avoiding confusion of midnight versus midday 12:00 p.m. noon references may be necessary, especially if students are enrolled in the class from various time zones.

Do Not Overwhelm Students with “Don’ts”

It may be tempting to list items students should avoid—whether topic choices or style considerations or instructional pet peeves—in assignment directions. But listing too many “don’ts” can strike a note of discord with students who may otherwise be eager to please.

Try to find a balance of including what you want students to do, as well as what you want them to avoid, on the assignment directions. You can always direct them to other locations for more information to augment the directions, such as a list of policies on the course syllabus, examples students can use as models or even a rubric for grading to help students manage instructional expectations.

End with Positivity

Show students you’re rooting for their success . Adding a cheerful or encouraging message to the end of the assignment directions will remind students you want them to be successful. And, isn’t it always nice to see reassuring words? A few examples:

• “I look forward to seeing your projects!”
• “Have fun with this assignment—and be creative.”
• “This reflection essay is going to be a great way to end the week!”
• “Good luck as you work on this.”

Students, especially those first-semester college students and those returning after a hiatus, often appreciate that extra bit of encouragement.

Consider Additional Accessibility Concerns

If your institution has certain requirements for your student population related to online standards or digital accessibility, be sure to take those into account before publishing online assignment instructions.

Font styles, color choices and text effects (like bolding, underlining, CAPS, etc.) as well as the use of images and multimedia files can be problematic for some screen readers .

Additionally, certain adjustments may need to be made for compliance in the case of students who have special accommodations for the class. Be sure to visit with leadership and staff members at your institution if this is the case for you.

For more strategies for creating an effective online course, download our free ebook .

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Transforming security: The role of secure IoT connectivity within fire and security applications

Lithium-ion batteries. a guide to the fire risk that isn’t going away but can be managed, do your security officers use assignment instructions.

As the managing director of a security consultancy business, and having worked in the security sector for 20 years now, I’ve seen many changes within the industry.

With the relatively recent introduction of the Security Industry Authority’s Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS), a standard has at long last been set. That standard has been much needed in the security sector.

In particular, the ACS has highlighted the importance of processes and documents in your business. It has made this mandatory in some cases, for example when it comes to site assignment instructions.

I have long held the belief that site assignment instruction booklets are one of the most important documents a security officer has access to while on duty (if not the most important). During my time working with all sizes of security company, I have come across many variations of site assignment instructions. There have been the two-page documents scribbled all over as practices have altered, all the way up to vast tomes designed to impress clients rather than aid the officer.

The feedback I have received about assignment instructions when speaking to officers has surprised me. In some cases, such little importance is given to these documents that certain security officers don’t even know what they are, and why they should be used.

On the other hand, we have officers who are frustrated as their limited assignment instructions document does not aid them in their job. At the other end of the scale, I’ve met with officers who are baffled by a 100-page collective that bears little relevance to their job and duties.

In our experience, assignment instructions are a constant reference for the security officer and every bit as important as his or her licence and uniform. Having passed Basic Job Training, the assignment instructions become a familiar document which includes such important information as duties for the security staff, client details and emergency procedures.

Advantages of detailed instructions

The advantages to having detailed but concise assignment instructions are far-reaching:

• it’s one of the requirements of the SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme
• Security officers are more confident in their job, and have a standard against which they can work
• they portray a professional image to clients
• the guarding company’s processes are more structured
• it’s good indication to your insurers that you’re trading correctly

However, when producing your assignment instructions you’ll find that it’s time-consuming and very often difficult to know what to include. The instructions we’ve developed are easily adaptable and contain information approved by a qualified assessor

Roberta Minty is Managing Director of the Total Training Consultancy.

You certainly make the importance of assignment instructions obvious. In addition, I like how you point out that these documents can be a source of confusion. If the document is too extensive, or not extensive enough, a company can end up paying for security service that they are not using to it’s full potential. http://www.goldshieldsecurity.com/brooklyn-ny-security-officers-and-fire-guards.htm

How long legally do site security assignment instructions last, ie need renewing and signing by security staff ?

The British Standards say they must be reviewed upon any change or at least annually

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