Learning design

How many words?

A typical learner can absorb a maximum of 2000 words per learning hour. However, the ideal word count for an online course is between 1000 and 1500 words per hour of study.

This is because non-text elements – such as activities, video, audio, complex graphics and graphs – will all take thinking time and should be taken into account when writing. 

If your course includes a quiz you should consider that as part of your word count. 

So a 12-hour course with no activities, AV, interactives or complex graphics could consist of 24,000 words, whereas a 12-hour course with multiple activities and assets may be closer to 12,000 words – or perhaps even fewer.