Describe your experience using e-learning authoring tools.

Over the past six months, I have been using and learning Articulate Storyline 360 to create conceptual projects. These projects may be viewed in my portfolio. I have been watching videos and attending online courses to learn the software and create projects.

How do you ensure the alignment of your learning goals, learning objectives, and assessments?

Design Approach: Uses backwards design to align objectives, assessments, and content in eLearning development.

• Step-by-Step Process: Establishes learning objectives from content, designs assessments based on objectives, and outlines eLearning content to match assessments.

• Measurable Objectives: Crafts objectives with measurable language, e.g., “Learners will explain the four parts of the ARCS Model for Motivation,” and assesses through direct evaluation of learner responses.

• Teaching Influence: Draws on experience as a former teacher, applying backwards design principles from lesson planning to eLearning creation.

How do you engage learners in a virtual environment?

• Andragogy Principles:

• Adults learn better when content is relevant to their goals.

• Learners benefit from having choices and self-direction in their learning.

• Skills learned are applied in real-world scenarios.

• ARCS Model Application:

  • Engage learners by providing relevance and diverse learning methods (peer-to-peer, hybrid, instructor-led, self-directed).

  • Use LMS tools to facilitate learning while ensuring support availability.

• Gagne’s Nine Events:

  • Provide feedback and elicit performance throughout learning.

  • Use job aids or mentor characters to guide learners.

  • Examples:

    • "Proper Food Storage" project uses a job aid for guidance.

    • "Let’s Motivate!" project incorporates a mentor character for feedback.

• Mayer’s Principles of Multimedia Learning:

  • Conversational tone improves learning retention.

  • Examples:

    • "Let’s Motivate!" uses a mentor character for conversational guidance.

    • "Proper Food Storage" engages the learner with interactive scenarios and feedback.

• Segmenting and Pre-Training:

  • Content is divided into user-friendly sections.

  • Pre-teach major concepts to enhance understanding.

  • Examples:

    • "Let’s Motivate!" includes a flip card activity and scenario-based learning.

    • "Professional History Timeline" uses tab interactions for content segmentation.

    • "The Kirkpatrick Model of Training Evaluation" employs a slider bar for segmented learning.

• Scenario-Based Learning:

  • Provides a risk-free environment for practicing skills.

  • Ensures engagement and skill application.

• Overall Approach:

  • Focus on engaging learners by combining multiple theories.

  • Prioritize learner choice and practical application of skills.

How do you gather and use feedback in your instructional designs?

• Gather feedback at every stage of instructional design.

• Collaborate with SMEs to create an action map and align goals.

• Use Google Docs for storyboarding and SME feedback via comments.

• Revise and approve storyboards before moving forward.

• Work with SMEs during mockups, prototypes, and development, ensuring approval at each step.

Can you describe a project where you have successfully enhanced learner outcomes?

• Capstone Project at Western Governors University (WGU): Focused on improving learner outcomes.

• Project Goal: Created an eLearning module for teachers to shorten lesson preparation time using artificial intelligence (AI).

• Problem: Teachers lacked basic knowledge of AI and how to use it effectively.

• Solution: Developed an eLearning module to close the knowledge gap, using LMS Canvas.

• Learning Approach: Self-directed learning choice boards, allowing learners to choose how they learned each concept.

• Assessment: Learner success measured through pre-test and post-test.

• Results: Learner outcomes improved by 23% from the starting point.

• Post-Survey: 100% of learners could apply the knowledge and skills learned, and found them relevant.

How do you ensure that you are staying up to date on best practices in instructional design?

• Stay informed on instructional design best practices through email subscriptions.

• Part of a Facebook group and a forum for instructional designers sharing best practices.

• Research practices that are relevant and likely to yield better results.

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of a course?

Evaluation Method: Uses the Kirkpatrick Model of Training Evaluation with four levels.

1. Level 1: Learner reactions, evaluated through post-surveys.

2. Level 2: Learning, measured through quizzes, pre- and post-tests, and observations.

3. Level 3: Behavior, assessed through direct observations, performance reviews, feedback, and SME discussions.

4. Level 4: Results, evaluated over time to determine the long-term impact on organizational outcomes.

How do you collaborate with your SMEs in a remote environment?

I collaborate with SMEs remotely through online calls, emails, and messaging. I ensure to meet with an SME as much as possible with respect to their time. I also use collaboration software such as Google Docs where the SMEs and I can comment directly on the project itself, and I can make revisions.

Describe a challenging design project you have completed and how you overcame the challenges.

A challenging design project I completed was my project “Let’s Motivate!” This was challenging due to incorporating the software Vyond into my project. This was the first time I used the animation/video software for my instructional design. I used online videos and professional community forums to learn how to use it.

“Let’s Motivate!” was also challenging because I set deadlines for myself to complete this conceptual project. I overcame this by managing my time and organizing all the materials of the project. I used task lists for the entire project, and set aside calendar time for each of the instructional design processes.

Describe how you manage your time and prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects.

When working on multiple projects, I prioritize my time by assigning specific time slots on my calendar to specific projects. I use online checklists/task lists, and online drive folders to help organize my projects. I prioritize tasks based on the deadlines I have set for each project.

Describe your experience using learning management systems (LMS).

I have several years of experience with learning management systems. As a former teacher and college student I became well-versed in using different LMSs. As a teacher I used the authoring side of Canvas, Google Classroom, and OpenEdX. In both LMSs I created courses for students virtually. As a university student, I became familiar with the learner side of OpenEdX.

How do you ensure accessibility in your instructional design materials?

As a student at WGU, I learned about the WCAG standards for online accessibility. As an instructional designer I strive to use these standards and a checklist with the standards to ensure accessibility in my instructional materials. To view an example of ensuring accessibility, view my “Let’s Motivate” project.

Explain the role data has in your design process.

• Data Importance: Vital in the design process for influencing instructional decisions.

• SME Data: Analyzed previous course data to align instructional design with user outcomes.

• Adjusting Strategies: If previous strategies didn’t yield high results, a different approach is used.

• Post-Rollout Analysis: Data is analyzed using statistics and coding to evaluate the design.

• Iteration Process: Data and feedback are used for continuous improvements through multiple iterations.

Explain your process for completing a needs analysis for online learning programs.

I approach completing a needs analysis by first creating an empathy map with the help of the SME. The empathy map helps me know who the learners are. I do this by answering six questions:

-        What does the learner know?

-        How does the learner feel?

-        What does the learner do?

-        What can the learner do?

-        What are the learner's preferences?

-        What are the learner’s barriers?

After completing the empathy map, I begin working on learner personas for each type of learner that will be completing the course or eLearning. I used the empathy map to help inform these.

To view examples of a needs analysis, view my project titled “The Rise in AI for Teachers.”