Better Alternatives to the “Submit” Button
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
We’re all accustomed to seeing and using Submit buttons in quizzes for online courses. In Articulate Storyline, the word “submit” is even the default text for the button you select when completing an assessment or interaction. I’ve rarely considered changing it until now.
When you think about it, the word “submit” doesn’t always describe what the learner is doing. “Submit” can also have a negative connotation. Let’s look at Dictionary.com’s definition:
The definition starts with a meaning that could be perceived as negative:
1. to give over or yield to the power or authority of another.
And it’s followed by another meaning that could also be perceived as negative:
2. to subject to some kind of treatment or influence.
The next part of the definition gets a little closer to describing what the learner is doing. But are they really submitting their answer for approval, consideration, or a decision? And to whom?
3. to present for the approval, consideration, or decision of another or others.
Finally, we’re not suggesting or proposing anything, or stating anything with deference:
4. to state or urge with deference; suggest or propose.
Maybe the third part of the definition is good enough in loosely describing what the learner is doing: they’re submitting their answer to an LMS and, through in-course feedback, a decision is made (pre-made, rather) on whether or not their answer was correct. But what if this isn’t good enough for you, or what if the question is an ungraded self-check? What if the question is being used to simply practice applying skills they just learned? Or maybe they’re answering a reflection question that only they will read.
I thought it might be a good idea to look to UX design for guidance on better words to use. The problem with UX design is that most of the information is focused on marketing and call-to-action buttons on websites. However, I still found sound advice for writing any type of button copy. Here are my four big takeaways from my research and how they relate to replacing the word “Submit” in elearning courses:
First, be clear about the action you want the learner to take. “Submit” is kind of vague. Again, who are they submitting this to? Will the results be examined by someone? Will that person follow up with the learner? Maybe this is all true. If not, maybe you should consider a different word.
Alternatively, it might make more sense to describe what will happen after the learner selects the button.
Copyblogger has a great suggestion for call-to-action buttons that might also apply here: finish the sentence, “I want to…” What do you want to do? If the learner is answering a question, maybe they want to check their answer. Now, write the button copy from their point of view: “I want to check my answer.”
Keep the copy short, ideally fewer than five words: “Check Answer.”
I also looked at some educational apps to see what terminology they used. I found a couple of Submit buttons, but most of the time, feedback was given as soon as the learner selected a choice. I love giving people fewer things to do, so I think that is a good option! Other than that, I found different variations of “Check Your Answer,” which I also love.
So, here are my favorite replacements for the word “Submit” to use when the learner wants feedback on a check for understanding:
Check My Answer
Check Answer
No button at all — just go straight to the answer!
I love all of these options. They’re short and sweet — in fact, the word “check” is shorter than “submit”!