This portfolio module is a scenario-based e-learning experience designed to help HR managers and business owners select the best training options for their employee’s induction.
Audience: HR Managers and business owners
Responsibilities: Instructional design, e-learning development, action mapping, storyboarding, visual design, image editing, technical writing, document formatting
Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360, MindMeister, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word
The Problem
In my research on inductions and onboarding, I found that up to a third of employees leave within the first six months. There were several factors contributing to this, including:
- The hiring manager not selecting the ideal candidate for the position.
- The company not communicating clearly with the candidate before the candidate started work.
- The onboarding and induction process not filling the new employee’s needs.
- Managers not being involved in the induction process.
The Solution
As I analysed the problem, I performed a needs analysis to see what skills and knowledge needed to be taught and what forms of training would best care for each of these needs.
I found that there was a combination of skills and knowledge needed across the roles of hiring manager, HR staff, and managers, covering subjects from writing an accurate job description to creating the right induction materials.
For this portfolio piece, I selected the e-learning module covering how to choose appropriate training materials for induction needs. I proposed a module that would allow the manager or business owner to see the various options for induction materials and understand how their choices impact employee happiness.
The Process
I used the ADDIE model of instructional design which involves:
- Analysis: understanding the problem, audience, and solution.
- Design: crafting the learning objectives, storyboard, and mock-ups.
- Development: creating the module and other documentation.
- Implementation: delivering the learning experience to the audience.
- Evaluation: measuring whether the learning meets the objectives.
Analysis
I researched advice from business coaches on how to increase employee retention. From this information, I created an action map (shown below) that covers the ideal behaviours for the roles involved in onboarding and inductions. I placed at the centre of the action map the measurable goal from the training.
I also created the needs analysis (pictured under “The Solution” heading above) to ensure that the best kind of training for each need was chosen.
I selected one section of the action map for the portfolio module (highlighted in green above).
Design
With the analysis information in mind, I created learning objectives for each of the training needs, ensuring they met the Blooms Taxonomy framework.
Based on the objectives, I wrote a storyboard which detailed the voiceover and activities that I planned to include in the module. The storyboard outlined the question for each activity slide along with the answer options and then the responses for each possible selection. Since the best induction material option can vary depending on the size of the business and the business environment (e.g. office vs workshop), I wrote in slides at the beginning of the module where the user can choose their business size and the employee they wish to induct. Those variables affect the activity slides by determining which question and responses the user sees based on their earlier choices.
With the storyboard in mind, I created visual mock ups of the activity slides as well as a style guide to ensure the colours, fonts, and font sizes used in the course were consistent.
Since the important concept of the training was that the induction choices could impact employee happiness, I added a slider at the top of the activity slides which would change to happier or sadder depending on the choices made during the activity.
Development
I began development by creating the slides where the user selects the size of their business and the employee they wish to guide through the activity. Then I created an activity slide to demonstrate how the employee visuals and the answer responses changed depending on the business size and employee chosen.
With the base level functionality created and approved, I progressed to creating all the scenario-based activity slides and then the drag and drop activity along with information slides.
Throughout development I incorporated accessibility features, such as closed captions for all audio and focus order for screen readers to ensure the items on the slide were read in the correct order. The drag and drop activity would not be completely accessible so I created an alternative activity to accommodate screen reader needs.
To support the e-learning module and ensure that the learner recalls the best training materials for each business type, I created a one-page job aid document which can be printed out or saved.
Implementation and Evaluation
Once the module had been approved, it was uploaded to my website to be used by learners. I also performed testing during the development phase to ensure that the course was user friendly and achieved the learning objectives.
The evaluation of the module will be ongoing as users provide feedback.
Reflection
The process of creating this module has provided me with further experience analysing learning needs and creating training that fulfills those needs.
I enjoyed the challenge of ensuring that the learning experience was tailored to the variables selected at the beginning of the training and that the look and feel was consistent throughout.
This project has helped to expand my skills and experience in creating engaging and interactive learning with activities and voice-over that fulfills learning objectives.