In this scenario-based eLearning, volunteers practice leading engaging conversations that motivate participants to support a biodiversity conservation project.
Silicon Valley Barcode of Life (SVBOL) is a project founded to protect biodiversity. SVBOL personnel rely on volunteers to lead conversations that engage people in learning about the importance of biodiversity and that motivate them to act to protect it. A successful conversation results in each guest donating to SVBOL. The client contacted me because volunteers were leading ineffectual discussions. As a result, SVBOL was losing opportunities to change people’s hearts and minds and raise money to further common good.
By analyzing the differences between conversations led by seasoned personnel and those led by new volunteers, I identified behaviors that contribute to successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Volunteers were failing to perform essential actions due to a lack of training. To address this, I proposed a scenario-based eLearning. This approach allows volunteers to practice relevant skills by leading mock conversations where they learn by making choices at key decision points and experiencing consequences of their actions.
In partnership with the client, we established a measurable project goal. From there, I created an action map, a text-based storyboard, visual mockups, an interactive prototype, and a final product. The client had the opportunity to review, request changes, and approve each step. Throughout the process, potential learners and instructional design colleagues evaluated the project components and the full project. Their feedback was critical to the success of the learning experience.
Together with a subject matter expert, we identified what volunteers need to do when leading conversations to meet the project goal. I summarized this information on an action map, which served as a compass for the project, guiding decisions about what to include in the learning experience.
After the client approved the action map, I created a storyboard to visualize, plan, and communicate the structure and content of the simulation. The storyboard includes written content for each slide, as well as visual and programming notes. I ground my instructional design in learning science, incorporating research-backed principles from leaders such as Malcolm Knowles, Robert Gagne, and others in the field.
A story draws in the learner, immerses her in leading a conversation, challenges her with questions about how to proceed at critical junctions, and has her experience consequences of her choices. At each decision point, a mentor character is available to provide guidance and a meter indicates whether she made a correct or an incorrect choice. The learner can also view an interactive factsheet and choose topics to explore at greater depth. At the end of the scenario, the learner sees the number of records in an international biodiversity database increase as a result of her conversation. She then reviews the actions she took that led to her success.
Keep the conversation on the topic of biodiversity and in the spirit of exploring together. Be wary of debating the merits of a technological fix that fails to address underlying causes and results in unwanted consequences. If a guest proposes a technological fix, acknowledge their suggestion and offer to discuss it with them another time.
Once the client agreed to the storyboard, I created a mood board for inspiration and designed a style guide identifying a color scheme, font style and sizes, padding and margin amounts, and button design to ensure consistency. I chose a color palette with a nature theme, an easy-to-read font, and ample padding and margin sizes to create an inviting experience.
Next, I sourced visuals for characters and backgrounds and customized them in Adobe Illustrator to match the color scheme, storyline, and target audience.
I then designed wireframes in Adobe XD. Iterating on the wireframes, I created mockups for each slide in Adobe Illustrator.
I created an interactive prototype in Articulate Storyline and gathered feedback from the client, learners, and colleagues to assess user experience, visual and audio design, engagement, content delivery, and technical performance. I applied the commentary to enhance the project.
I developed the full project in Articulate Storyline. Having completed each of the steps outlined above, the development was relatively quick and easy. Next, I wrote an evaluation form and tested the scenario on end users. Based on the evaluation results, I implemented additional changes.
The client was fully satisfied with the project. Next steps will be to evaluate whether volunteers performed the desired actions while leading biodiversity conversations and to track the number of guests that made donations.
More fully assessing the effectiveness of the learning experience will entail a randomized control trial with one group receiving a placebo intervention and the other receiving the actual learning scenario. This approach allows a comparison of the two groups and an assessment of the true impact of the learning experience. Although I like this idea, it is beyond the scope of this project.
A key takeaway is for end users to test and evaluate the project throughout the design and development process.
A key takeaway is for end users to test and evaluate the project throughout the design and development process.
Experience the projectIf you're ready to create content that takes learners where you want them to go, please send me a message by completing the form or by emailing robinhartbayer@gmail.com.