Internet Learning Volume 6, Number 2, Fall 2017/Winter 2018 | Page 62

A Review of Typography to Improve Your E-Learning
In other words, you don’t want to use a
fun, silly font such as Taco Modern” (p.
11). Immediately following this otherwise
little-known enigma is an explanation
between the definitions of typeface
and font, Serif and Sans Serif. Contrary
to most, the terms are distinctively different.
Other critical constructs to be
followed include the Rule of Three,
choosing typeface that your students
may already be familiar, the aperture
setting of the words, and the importance
of utilizing the best tracking otherwise
known as kerning. The book also
discusses why size matters, the proper
usage of lines to compartmentalize information,
and how leading (the space
between sentences) can add much to
best placement of lessons. By Section 5,
most readers will be drawn to the many
useful tips and reminders about how to
create a visual hierarchy, and planning
layout using grids and a hyperlink to a
professional grid website. Kinder wraps
up the purpose of the book best, “This
e-book focuses on how your typography
decisions can make or break the visual
design and tone of your course” (p.
42). To that end, most will agree this little
book is chock-full of tips and tricks
that, if employed, can help add much
value to any online course.
Ultimately, the advice can help to
achieve more student engagement and
that in of itself is worth pointing one’s
browser to tinyurl.com/yb4m7scr. First
time users will have to create a user ID
and password before downloading the
free PDF book. Best wishes to all course
developers, regardless of the discipline,
and faculty who should agree these tips
can help enrich the student experience
lesson after lesson and week after week.
Dr. Erik Bean is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Arts and Humanities
at American Public University System. Erik has a bachelor’s degree in
psychology from Grand Valley State University and a master’s degree in journalism
from Michigan State University. He holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership
from the University of Phoenix School of Advanced Studies, where he also serves
as a Research Chair at the Center for Leadership Studies and Educational Research
studying immediacy and the customer experience (CX) of students and faculty.
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