Click the image to experience the training:

Note: This training was created as a featured course of the month. Its audience includes a large range of employees who support a variety of lines of business. A portion of our agents do not have sound available and are expected to complete the training while taking calls, so all ideas must be conveyed on the screen independent of sound and every element is self-paced.

Click the image to experience the training:

Note: This training was also created as a featured course of the month. Its audience includes a large range of employees who support a variety of lines of business. A portion of our agents do not have sound available and are expected to complete the training while taking calls, so all ideas must be conveyed on the screen independent of sound and every element is self-paced.

Click the image to experience the training:

Click the image to experience the training:

Children’s Ministry Onboarding Training

The onboarding training is designed for new volunteers to the children’s ministry in my church. They may or may not be teachers (most are not) as a profession, but they are volunteering to teach classes of children ranging from infants to 5th grade. It consists of class specific content; user selected avatar assistance; an interactive classroom walkthrough; a review consisting of hotspot, multiple choice, ordering, and true-false questions that users can link back to previous slides for assistance, if desired; a scenario based assessment; and a variety of activities and media.

The need:

I conducted a needs based assessment by interviewing several of those that chose to volunteer and those that chose not to volunteer. I also interviewed the leaders of the children’s ministry. The common issues identified by those that either volunteered or not were:

• Training is offered only twice per year and in-person, so it is hard to attend.

• The training is entirely lecture based.

• The training is for all age groups at the same time causing a sense of wasted time and being left with age specific questions that do not get addressed.

The main issues identified by the leaders were:

• Lack of engagement in the training and the morning meeting.

• Not following policies and being distracted by discussions with those not associated the class.

The Approach:

The process was based on an iterative ADDIE model. Through analysis of interviews and discussions with stakeholders and SMEs I identified issues to the current training. In the design phase I utilized aspects of action mapping and backwards design by first focusing on the desired change in behavior and knowledge, then working to how to design the training to support those goals. The training was not able to be fundamentally altered, but the delivery method and activities were open. I then designed the training delivery to address those issue. I was the designer and developer, so I created several storyboards in Google Docs and shared the document with the stakeholders to seek approval and unity with their vision. After they provided initial feedback, I would send screencasts at large checkpoints to show current progress and solicit feedback. I also would seek SME feedback as well. I shared the screencasts with my mentor as well as having people who would have to interact with the training trial different aspects of it as it was being developed.

Tools Used in Development:

The project is based out of Storyline. I utilized Camtasia to create and edit videos, create screencasts, and create and edit voiceovers. I used Photoshop to edit pictures. Edits included Gaussian blurs for effect and enforce the proximity principle in CRAP visual design principles, and color correction and cropping of pictures taken on phone. There was a faded red ring around the outside of the photos, so I used Photoshop to minimize, if not entirely eliminate, its appearance. I used Snagit for screen captures and to edit them to highlight changes/considerations while seeking feedback.

The Solution:

A self-paced eLearning module differentiated by class with a variety of activities that cover the required elements and focus on supporting desired outcomes.

Considerations:

There was no budget for the training nor any equipment other than what we personally owned. Video recordings were done on phones and shared over Google Drive, pictures were taken using phone cameras, and we are all volunteers, so we didn’t have set office space or time. All of our interactions were virtual: Zoom, sharing over Google Drive, emails, and phone calls/texts. The training was not able to be fundamentally changed. I was able to add some elements such as a room walkthrough, but nothing could be removed or substantially altered. The training needed to be accessible to multiple levels of computer fluency. My aim was to remain 508 and WCAG 2.0 compliant. My focuses were in contrast, text size and alignment, alternate text, and closed captioning.

Next Steps:

I signed up for a free account with Eduflow. I uploaded the training there and added the stakeholders as students to experience it. Along with the training, I added a discussion board and certificate of completion. I am utilizing it as a prototype to aid in discussions around utilizing it for the children’s ministry training in the future. There has been a desire stated to create more training around specific needs such as: classroom best practices, adapting to different needs of children like those with autism or behavior disorders, and ministry development. The LMS and the additional training are two separate conversations, but they are inextricably intertwined.

 Click the image to experience the training:

Introduction to MS Excel

My wife and 4 of her coworkers desire to transition to different roles within their organization. All of the positions they would like require familiarity with MS Excel. I created this as the first of a series of courses for them and people in similar situations.

I utilized Camtasia to edit the video from the leader’s greeting in one of the children’s ministry trainings.

Types of Editing:

• I utilized audio points to even out extremes in the sound profile. If particular moments became particularly loud or soft, I evened it out while keeping the natural pattern in their voices. You can see a couple instances in the screenshot above around the beginning 10 seconds, 55 seconds to 1 minute 5 seconds, 1 minute 40 seconds, and 2 minutes 5 seconds.

• I added transitions, light green bars on sides of clips.

• I added text on screen, everything in track 3.

• I added a logo, everything in track 2.

• I split the full version to take out mistakes, separate topics, and remove dead spaces. You can see evidence of this at around the 2 minute 5 second mark where the track is stitched. Other splits are off screen and where the transitions are.