Building Assertiveness - Self-Paced Dynamic eLearning
About
In this training, learners develop strong assertive communication skills through clear guidance and dynamic practice. The adaptive content adjusts to individual needs and performance, providing a safe and personalized environment to practice and master essential communication techniques. Click below to open and view the project yourself.
Design
Recognizing the limitations of typical 'information dump' eLearning, this program is intentionally structured for active learning and skill development. It allows learners to engage with basic concepts, observe their practical use, and then practice applying them within authentic and dynamic scenarios. The purposeful minimalist design presents information and practice in digestible chunks, maximizing comprehension and fostering the integration of a new and powerful skillset. Although dynamic scenarios demand a meticulous process of analysis, design, and development, their ability to deliver superior learning experiences—including improved understanding and practical application—far outweighs the development costs. It also provides some incredibly rich data collection opportunities as opposed to traditional multiple choice assessments. click here to see screenshots of design mockups for the project. Click the button below to view the storyboard containing all the details that would be shared with and reviewed by stakeholders.
At a Glance
To view project screenshots that highlight some key aspects of design and development including customized themes and brief descriptions for key aspects of the learning experience, click View Project Screenshots below.
Illustrator Dash - HTML5 Learning Game for Adobe Illustrator
About
This HTML5 game offers an innovative, game-based approach to learning Adobe Illustrator navigation. As of now, the game is optimized for Google Chrome, and may not function as intended in other web browsers. Interactive challenges, based on randomized scenarios, enhance practical skills and muscle memory for tool access. Developed in Adobe Captivate with JavaScript integration provides smooth gameplay with randomized practice scenarios and timed challenges.
Basic Gameplay
This interactive game offers a hands-on, simulated learning experience for Adobe Illustrator beginners. You'll be presented with simulated project screens and prompted to practice basic navigation and tool activation/usage. A 60-second timer adds an element of urgency, and completing each task earns you points and unlocks the next challenge. This repeated practice helps reinforce your skills in a fun and engaging way, culminating in a final score that reflects your progress and offers the challenge of beating your own best score.
Design
This project was designed with a game-based learning approach to transform the learning of Adobe Illustrator navigation into an engaging experience. A gamified approach was necessary because learning games, particularly those with elements like points, badges, and leaderboards, can significantly boost learner engagement and motivation by tapping into the natural human desire for achievement and recognition. Adobe Captivate Classic was selected for its flexibility in building interactive HTML5 content and its support for custom JavaScript, which was crucial for implementing unique game mechanics.
The game's visuals were enhanced with custom icons and graphics created using Adobe Illustrator. These tailored graphics support the learning objectives by providing clear and relevant visuals, which improve the learner's understanding and engagement.
Implementing the core game mechanics involved JavaScript development to intercept key strokes and perform actions, adding complexity to the design. This required careful consideration of how to effectively "trap" and handle specific key presses within the Captivate HTML5 output, especially given potential inconsistencies or conflicts with browser-specific behaviors or default shortcuts, notably in environments like Chrome, the intended browser for this game to be played. Overcoming these complexities ensured that the intended gameplay, where users activate tools and perform actions via key combinations, functioned reliably within Chrome.
Key game mechanics include a custom JavaScript solution for the countdown timer. This timer offered flexibility over standard Captivate widgets and ensured seamless integration with the overall design. This approach allowed for a precise timer that functions independently of the quiz system's reporting requirements, which were disabled for standard website hosting purposes where an LMS is not involved. A custom randomization algorithm, also built with JavaScript, ensures a fresh challenge each time a user plays, presenting a unique sequence of navigation tasks without repetition until all exercises have been experienced. The countdown timer adds a sense of urgency and motivates users to hone their speed and accuracy in a low-stakes setting. This design approach transforms software navigation practice into a motivating activity, fostering a positive learning environment and reinforcing the learning objectives.
Assertiveness Continuum - Infographic
About
Infographics offer a highly effective pedagogical approach for adult learners, owing to their strong alignment with principles of adult learning and information processing within the human brain. The visual medium optimizes comprehension and retention, minimizes cognitive load, and significantly enhances learner engagement and motivation, thereby fostering rapid knowledge acquisition and application. In many instances, the use of infographics in job-aids can effectively address deficits in employee performance and facilitate professional growth with a significantly lower investment of both time and financial resources, potentially circumventing the need for more extensive, trainer-led sessions or eLearning programs. As an illustrative example, the Assertiveness Continuum infographic provides a streamlined depiction of communication styles, including their relative ranking, identifying characteristics, and associated outcomes.