Although I fancy myself a social constructivist at heart, I believe in using the right tool for each job. As every project is unique, I evaluate and choose instructional design models, learning theories, and delivery modes to inform each design based on the problem framed and learner, environmental, and organizational contexts data gleaned during needs assessment. After selecting this foundation for design, I then begin simultaneously researching key concepts relative to the learning objectives and ideating learning activities and designs using a variety of methods. I do ethics checks during this time by asking myself:
- Who is being marginalized or not included?
- How can this design be potentially harmful or exclusionary?
TOOLS
During content research, I begin concept mapping by using iThoughts, MS Visio, or LucidChart. Ideation usually begins with marker and sketch paper for me. As design ideas evolve and are assessed with most discarded, a rough storyboard is often created in MS Word or MS PowerPoint for preliminary review with the client and/or colleagues. This idea is then revisited and refined into a course map and visually depicted using iThoughts, MS Visio, or LucidChart. The aforementioned concept map differs from the course map in that the former conveys high-level concepts only and the latter refines them into what will specifically be taught in the course and in what order. After the course map has been created, a thorough course storyboard iteration is created and refined in either MS PowerPoint or in the proposed delivery method, such as a learning management system course, a video-editing program such as Final Cut Pro X, or animation application such as Vyond.
Design in Action
IMAGE: At the top is a mapping of high-level concepts and their groupings for a new employee development training program using iThoughts. At the bottom are a few storyboards using a custom MS PowerPoint template I created for review of a design for an asynchronous elearning project on how to measure for both ready-made and custom-made curtains.
VIDEO: This is a segment of draft design for an animated learning video I created using Vyond based on a script and storyboard notes I received from the client. Creating this draft design helped highlight some issues for discussion such as long run time, discrepancies between storyboard and narration, ill-defined audience and purpose, and accessibility (click here to view video).
