I’m Sara Edlington. A course writer whose squiggly career brings an unusual combination of skills and experience to your project.
My career has included training to be an instructor, writing for top trade publications, teaching people how to use tech, and writing books.
Learning to teach
Before I became an eLearning course writer, I started my career training to teach adults and children how to ride horses. As a result, this allowed me to develop several valuable skills
Firstly, I understand how to plan a lesson. Secondly, I know how to teach different abilities, and ages. Thirdly, I understand how to adapt to different learning styles. After I left the equestrian industry, I started writing for magazines.
From teaching to reporting
My first few articles were on equestrian topics. However, I then moved onto writing about technology topics for businesses and consumers. And the skills magazine writers need to do their job are also valuable for eLearning.
For example, often I would need to get up-to-speed quickly on a topic to be able to interview experts. And I learned how to make complex topics interesting and engaging.
Added to this, you have to sift through tons of information and data to find the essential ‘need-to-knows’ for their readers. That’s not all.
Another key skill is interviewing, something you do on an almost daily basis. So, I have strong interviewing skills – handy when dealing with SMEs. Added to this, writing for magazines taught me how to write a good story about a topic.
A story can be found in every subject
As a result of that, I believe that no matter what the subject, there’s a story in it that gets the information across to the reader, or learner, in an interesting way. Here’s an eLearning course example.
I was asked to write a storyboard for a malware software course. The learner is introduced to Tom, who has accidentally infected three of his work devices with malware. As a result, he needs to diagnose and treat all three devices.
So, the course follows Tom as he, firstly, learns about three different types of malware. Secondly, he diagnoses the malware that is on each of the devices. And thirdly, he learns how to remove it.
From magazines to teaching and being an eLearning course writer
My work as a tech magazine writer meant I was often asked to help people with their IT and computer problems. So, I started teaching people, one-to-one how to use different types of tech. Because of this work, I found my way to eLearning content writing.
eLearning content writing
I’d written several short courses to teach people how to use a piece of software or how to secure their network. As a result, I discovered eLearning and decided to train to be an eLearning content writer.
I now work in the learning and development and talent development fields, providing course writing, scripts, and storyboard writing services to companies in the enterprise software, cybersecurity, risk management, engineering, and robotics sectors.
When I’m not working
You’ll find me doing one of several things. I’m currently writing two (!) books. One on the windmill watercolour artist and painter, Karl Wood.
The second book is on WWI servicemen who were billeted in Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. This book was started by the late WWI historian, Peter Bradshaw, and I’ve been asked to complete his work.
I’m the Secretary of the Friends of Gainsborough Cemeteries and Chapel. We’re a tiny charity that restores the headstones of WWI servicemen in two cemeteries in Gainsborough in Lincolnshire.
One of these is one of only 50 dedicated Non-Conformist cemeteries in Europe. You can find out more here: www.friendsofgainsboroughcemetery.com
In my spare time, I’m a poet, I teach tech skills (often using things like Fisher-Price Chatter Phones) and I work to help encourage young people to get involved with STEM subjects.
My specialty is robotics and I like to use paper automata and origami as well as Lego to show how robots work.
You can see some of the projects I’ve completed here: Portfolio
I write courses, content, storyboards, and scripts: more details here
Ready for an engaging and effective course? Get in touch: sara@saraedlington.com
