Ecom Ghana
Starting as a pilot project, I designed and developed a scenario based modules to help an industrial company to engage employees into new behaviors. I designed the storyboard and scenario along with the SMEs using mobile as an e-learning support with audio and scenario based.
Stakeholders
Etudesk, ECOM Ghana and Chalkboard
Audience
> 300 employees from all levels and across Ghana
Audience
> 300 employees from all levels and across Ghana
Responsibilities
Instructional Design, Action Mapping (Needs Analysis),
Storyboarding, Visual Design, Mockups, eLearning Development
Tools
Google Suite, Mindmeister
The problem
The company HR department decided to build up e-learning modules based on their corporate values. It was a first e-learning key project in order to align every employee on best practices and behaviors to enhance results and well being in the work place. They worked with a mobile learning company and needed an instructional designer to lead the analysis, design, development (scriptwriting & scenario) before implementation by the tech stakeholder. This is why they reached out for help.
The solution
After deep dive analysis with the clients and stakeholders, I suggested the scenes tones, writing styles to be reviewed by the SMEs identified. As it was kind of new, I suggested to focus on the learning specific objectives. I suggested an immersive scenario based to design then develop each modules, through scenes and dialogues, quizzes based on gamification, in order to make sure to reach changing behavior/company culture adhesion in the real world.
My process
First, I used ADDIE and SAM models because I wanted to find a fast but strongly structured way to show the first results of the company employees "journey". The analysis and collection of data led to the following challenge "not block the impact of the values with simplicity of the modules and scriptwriting content". This is why before having the final content and scenes I decided to prototype a scenario based content and iterate with continuous feedback.
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Tips: I used my experience in HR about culture, engagement and communication to get as closed as possible to the real world challenges.
Action Map
Along with the client requirements, I pushed towards a personalized scenario based to make sure that the employees would feel engage by the story as if it was them. I suggested and we collaborated on the story through iteration on the characters, tone, expressions used, real world dilemmas and how to solve them.
At this point, it's essential that the character development is aligned on the pedagogical objectives. I used the action map for the characters developed on the scenes. This was a great way to get ideas from the stakeholders, understand which ideas work or not :
The action map allows me to map a meaningful and real world oriented learning experience for the learners.
Text-based storyboard
First, I created a draft storyboard with one module to get the first iteration. Indeed, after validation of the tone, content, vocabulary, quiz and scene set up, I developed the rest of the 5 modules. On more than 10 values, we identified 6 main values to be staged in a 6 modules format more adapted to the learners typology and thus experience.
Then, it' essential to define a clear path for completing the storyboard in order to engage the learners in the story and the learning goals.
The storyboard includes course pedagogical objectives, characters dialogue, graphics notes and technical audio notes.
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Storyboard preview upon request for internal confidentiality reasons.
Visual Mockups
At this point, I had designed the whole course content of the 6 modules composed of scenes/screens. As an instructional design step, we tried now to transfer together the whole scenario on the mobile app.
I was requested to add my insights on the illustrations that were whole led by the text content.
Iterating on text and images text it was important to avoid the cognitive load, to collaborate with the illustrator on aesthetic appeal and usability using tips of visual design elements.
Prototype
It was really important for me to make the client an active participant in my design process, this is why I insisted on the learner's approach and perspective each step of the way. Now that we had the vision, we built up the whole prototype on the app. I had to test the whole experience : reading, playing audio, click on buttons and give feedback on each step of the functionality elements of navigation.
Full development
After using a whole assurance checklist, from spelling typos to learning objectives and user navigation, we validated the kick off with a few employees selected then the whole staff.
Takeaways
First, I received good direct feedback from the client as the team were quite satisfied. Then, a few months later they contacted me as they decided to reinforce the L&D team with more instructional design skilled resources.
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For me the main takeaways were:
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Stay learners centered
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Always listen to the clients needs and carry them on the instructional path so that their goals can be aligned
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Prototyping is a great asset when building an e-learning project
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Develop a more UX approach to compile tech best practices and give the best experience
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Be open to communication and listen carefully any doubts from the clients as a risk solving approach
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Mobile learning is such a great asset especially on the African continent as it's learners experience centered
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Patience is the key well served by the iteration
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Make sure the analysis phase is covered and if not use the Sam process to iterate on the prototype with formative evaluation and feedback
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