Scenario-Based eLearning

The school district administration for Galt’s Gulch School District is concerned about their school librarians removing books from student access without following school board policy, causing unnecessary censorship. This need is demonstrated through data obtained by the district’s Director of Library Media Services showing that these choices are being made regularly across the district.

The Solution

This problem is caused by a lack of knowledge of the state legislature, best practices, and the definition of censorship. Therefore, a scenario-based eLearning experience was chosen as the best solution because learners can make choices in a risk-free environment. This allows learners to experience real-world consequences based on their choices regarding collection management. Experiencing these consequences will help to embed the knowledge they need in a concrete and memorable way.

My Process

I developed this project from inception based on my own experiences as a high school librarian. I followed the ADDIE model and used various tools to bring it from a conceptualized need to a complete learning experience. I identified a learning goal after conducting a needs analysis, and then created an action map to keep the project focused on that goal. Using the prioritized actions on the map, I created a text-based storyboard to serve as a blueprint for the project. Next, I created the visual design of the project using artist-created and AI-created images. Finally, I developed the full project with programmed animations and interactivity.

Action Map

As my own SME, I identified a learning goal that addressed the underlying problem the company was experiencing. I then used MindMeister to create an action map to illustrate the actions I deemed the highest priority to achieve this goal. Each of these actions focuses on what the librarian needs to do in response to a situation, allowing them to apply their skills on the job rather than just recall knowledge.

Text-Based Storyboard

I wanted the experience to immerse the learner in various situations that arise while working in a school library. To do this, I set up the story of a newly hired middle school librarian in the fictional Galt’s Gulch School District. I used the actions identified on the action map to develop three situations regarding appropriate book selection for their school library. With the help of a mentor character, who provides on-demand insights into the required knowledge, the learner negotiates each situation, each of which has three possible real-world consequences that are played out to allow the learner to fully experience the effects of making mistakes in a risk-free environment. The storyboard contains the prompt text, character dialogue, visual notes, and programming notes to guide the final development of the product.

Visual Mockups

Once the storyboard was complete, I began working on the visual design. Using Canva, I created a mood board for inspiration and designed a style guide for consistency. 

I created wireframes to represent the layout for each type of slide. Then, using these items as a starting point, I iterated on high-fidelity mockups until my vision was adequately represented. These mockups helped me to determine the best layout for the most functional and visually appealing user experience. The feedback I received and implemented on the mockups helped to ensure the best user experience possible.

Interactive Prototype

My favorite part of the project was creating the interactivity. I created an interactive prototype using Articulate Storyline 360 which included the interactive introduction and mentor slides, as well as the first scenario-based question with each of its consequences. I submitted the prototype for feedback from my stakeholders to ensure it was meeting their needs before spending additional time developing something that would need to change.

Full Development

Once I collected feedback from the prototype, I was able to apply that feedback and use it to confidently develop the final product. 

Developing the opening and closing animations for the Title and Conclusion slides was one of the more challenging and satisfying elements included in my project. I had to use available resources to learn new skills to make the visual in my mind come to life.

Throughout the project, I used real screenshots from the library software and animated clicking on the screen to help immerse the learner in the story. In one consequence, I chose to incorporate the experience of checking out a book to make the training more engaging and memorable.

Results and Takeaways

Through the development of this project, I learned that receiving feedback on the prototype is key to maintaining efficiency and consistency throughout the design. I plan to seek and implement feedback from stakeholders as a cornerstone in all future projects.

My next step with this project would be to implement it using an LMS accessible to all of the school librarians in the school district. Once the training was completed, I would evaluate its effectiveness using the data acquired by the district’s Director of Library Media Services that would hopefully show an increase to at least 85% of school librarians in the district maintaining a relevant collection, as indicated by the goal on the action map. 

Since this is a concept project, there is no result data. However, when shared with my colleagues in the field they agreed that it accurately represented the real-world consequences, claiming “this ACTUALLY happened!” (S. Schlenker).

The educator over library services in my school district acclaimed the project: