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Content principles

Our vision​

We design content experiences that support educators and learners in focusing on what matters most: teaching and learning. We make Moodle feel clear, human, and easy to use, no matter who you are, where you're from, or what you're trying to do.

We do this by:

  • Making complex functionality feel intuitive and human
  • Designing with accessibility and internationalisation at the core
  • Bringing clarity, consistency, and care to every interaction
  • Embedding content design into product decisions and design

Our goal​

Our content helps users feel confident, supported, and respected. With everything we write, we aim to:

  • Empower our users to achieve their goals
  • Guide them to get the most from our products and services
  • Support their understanding with just the right information without overwhelming them, plus clear paths to learn more
  • Respect their time, attention, and differences, through integrity, clarity, and care

Our content principles:​

These principles guide every content decision we make. They help us stay consistent, accessible, and aligned across products, services, and all user interactions.

Keep it simple​

We write in plain English for a global audience. Our goal is to make Moodle accessible to everyone.

  • Use short sentences and everyday words that our users understand and use
  • Get straight to the point
  • Avoid jargon, idioms, and culture-specific references
  • Make instructions clear, actionable, and concise

Be relevant​

We give users the information they need to perform their task and make informed decisions: no more, no less. When users get the right details at the right time, they can stay focused, feel confident, and move forward smoothly.

Be positive and supportive​

Use language that helps users move forward. Be constructive and encouraging, especially when guiding users through difficult moments.

  • Tell people what they can or should do
  • Reframe errors and restrictions as helpful guidance
Do

To complete this section, submit your final assignment.

Don't

You can't complete this section until you submit your final assignment.

Use active voice​

Active voice is clearer and easier to follow.

Do

Teachers can set a deadline.

Don't

A deadline can be set by teachers.

Write for inclusion​

We write with accessibility, diversity, and respect in mind.

  • Avoid stereotypes, ableist language, and unnecessary gendering. For example, use final check instead of sanity check, allowlist instead of whitelist, or chairperson instead of chairman
  • Choose examples that reflect different cultures, names, and ages
  • Avoid metaphors tied to violence

Work together​

Good content design is a team effort. We share early, welcome feedback, and learn from each other.

  • If you're unsure, especially if English is not your first language, ask a teammate to review your work
  • We support one another in writing clearly and inclusively