Sustainability Strategy eLearning
My client, Action Sustainability, required my instructional design and eLearning development services in order to create a 30 minute sustainability strategy module.
An existing 'framework’ was provided for this module, but it needed refreshing and updating. Therefore, the first step in this project was to work through this existing framework and identify where areas of interaction could be enhanced or changed.
It was a request from the client that the module be produced in Articulate Storyline. As they had recently had their branded Storyline template re-done, this formed the basis of the look and feel for the module. I also worked with their brand guidelines to ensure fonts, colours and logos were all in-keeping with the Action Sustainability brand.
The whole project took around 4 weeks, during which I worked closely with the client, who was also the Subject Matter Expert (SME), to ensure content was factually correct and the interaction and design of the eLearning met their expectations.
The finished eLearning using a great blend of audio, sound effects, imagery and video to create an immersive learning experience.
PROJECT DETAILS
Role: Instructional design and ELearning Developer.
Brief: creation of a 30 minute eLearning course for Action Sustainability.
Date: March - April 2024.
Duration: 1 month.
TOOLS
Articulate Storyline.
Affinity Designer / Photo
Canva
SKILLS
ELearning development.
Instructional design.
Graphic design.
Video editing.
My response to the brief
Challenges and solutions
Working with the existing template
Using Action Sustainability’s existing template proved to be quite challenging. First off, it was requested to use 4:3 dimensions. This creates a square slide space, that is smaller than the standard 16:9 which I usually work with. This can be restrictive and makes it harder when designing certain interactions. For example, in the storyboard I had planned for a multiple response question, in which the client wanted around 10 different response options. However, when this was placed on the slide, the multiple response block would not fit on the slide without a scroll bar, which the client did not want. To get around this we reduced the number of options down to 7.
When writing the learning content and planning interactions, I had to keep in mind the slide size, this meant splitting content across multiple slides and making use of click-to-reveal interactions to stop the slide feeling too cluttered.
The slide size also influenced the design of the slides too. I opted to keep them fairly simple using minimal text paired with imagery. Again this was to reduce things feeling too cluttered. Where interaction was present, the slides were stripped back even further to allow as much space as possible for the interaction.
Bringing characters to life
In the original framework provided by the client, they had planned in a Vyond video for a large section of the eLearning where two people are having a conversation. This section is key for context and these characters appear more than once within the eLearning.
As I don’t often use Vyond, and can find it feels outdated sometimes, I wanted to rework this idea to be something more autonomous for the learner and to feel more fresh and modern. Therefore instead of a Vyond video, I planned for two characters against a realistic backdrop. As they talk, the learner can progress the conversation by selecting each character, allowing them to pace the conversation and replay parts if necessary.
This interaction was supported by voiceover, which was recorded by professional voiceover artists, and sound effects, to create a multi-dimensional learning experience. The self-paced aspect of this interaction is also more accessible than video, as the learner can tab to move the conversation on and replay any voiceover where necessary. All alt-text was also added, so the learner can easily differentiate between the characters, if they are using a screen reader.
Breaking up lengthy, detailed content.
Sustainability is an in-depth topic which involves legislation and policies. Therefore, it can be quite dry and difficult to make the subject matter more palatable for the learner. When developing the interactions for this eLearning, I had to find ways to elevate the content, whilst not taking away from the seriousness of the subject matter.
I had previously developed an interactive office activity where the learner identifies hazards within an office, selects each one and then has to answer questions related to each hazard. I felt this format would be perfect for this sustainability strategy module, particularly a section in which the learner has to decide whether something is useful. The learner is presented with one of the character’s office, they then have to interact with different things within the office. They are then provided with context, before having to decide if it is useful or not. This activity is enhanced with a zooming style transition and voiceover, to help reduce the text on screen.