Hello and welcome to my diary of self-discovery, creativity and course design.

When I signed up for EC&I 834: Designing for online and blended learning, I expected to learn which software makes online training easy, how to navigate Google Classroom like a pro, and maybe enhance my Zoom meetings. Simple, right? Plot twist: I ended creating blogs to document my learning, even though I had used WordPress before. I explored Canvas and delved into H5P and Lumi to bring my course vision to life.

Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. This journey has been nothing short of empowering. I’ve discovered a creative side I didn’t know I had, and more importantly, I’ve realized that designing online learning is about purpose, inclusion, flexibility, engagement, creating an exceptional learning experience, and, most importantly, it’s about education!

So what’s next? More exploration, course design, and growth. I’m excited to continue building on this foundation and evolving as a course designer and adult educator.

Thanks for reading, and you can also watch my Summaries of Learning.

PS: If you’re on your learning design journey, know it’s okay to start unsure. You’ll be amazed at how far you can go with curiosity, a lot of trial-and-error, and a supportive learning community.

Finally, I’m here! What started as a daunting task has transformed into an incredible journey. I remember signing up for this course to learn how to create an engaging online training program, especially as the world leans more towards digital platforms. But when I first learned that I would be developing a course prototype, I found myself questioning my life choices (lol!). With dedication, support from Katia (my fantastic instructor), and engaging discussions with my course mates, I managed to develop my very first course prototype.

So, how did it all begin? I decided to create a prototype that mirrors the in-person classroom training I used to conduct. Drawing from my previous experiences, I structured my course to make it suitable for synchronous training. Though I had much to learn about creating interactive videos with H5P, which is amazing for boosting online engagement, I also crafted an animated video for my company culture training, along with quizzes and forums for lively discussions. After the first module review, I refined my prototype by adding a module introduction, properly embedding the video, and setting up an online discussion forum.

My course prototype comprises two modules. The first one dives into the company culture of my fictional organization, GlobalTek. It features a YouTube video where employees share their insights about what culture means to them in an organization. This lays the foundation for participants to appreciate the value of our culture and align their work with our organizational goals. There’s also an animated interactive video discussing GlobalTek’s mission, vision, and values. To wrap it up, there’s an engaging quiz with eight questions, providing instant feedback once completed, and two online discussion questions to encourage participants to share their thoughts in the forum.

Module two focuses on job description training for new employees. Given my background in customer service and sales, I tailored this module for those two roles, mentioning that department heads would cover the training for others. This module, too, contains interactive videos, quizzes, and discussion questions for both job roles.

In addition, I’ve included my course profile created at the beginning of the term, outlining details such as the target audience, participant demographics, course format, content, learning objectives, and assessment strategies, along with considerations for common concerns (e.g., low bandwidth and device access). I’ve also attached a 15-minute walkthrough video of my final course prototype showcasing all the modules and interactive elements I designed.

As excited as I am about this project, I’m very open to feedback! I recognize there’s always room for improvement, and I’m eager to continue my journey from a novice online & blended training designer to an expert. This endeavor has been both challenging and rewarding, thanks to the experiences shared by my course mates and the insights I’ve gained about structuring engaging content, integrating interactive elements, and ensuring accessibility. Moving forward, I’m looking to refine my approach, gather feedback, and experiment with new engagement strategies to enhance this learning experience. This project is just the beginning of my exciting transition in online & blended training design!

I’ve got some feedback from my course module reviewer that I found really helpful! They suggested I add a hyperlink or embedded code for my H5P content to make it easier for learners to access. Right now, people have to copy and paste links into a new browser, which is kind of a hassle. So, for my final course module, I’m definitely going to fix that. Plus, I want to add a lot more creative stuff since my first module wasn’t as exciting as I hoped. Now that I’ve had some time to explore Canvas, I’m excited to play around with different ideas and really make my final course module stand out. Stay tuned!

Chatting about accessibility and equity in class got me thinking about my own course module. Honestly, I didn’t fully cover those aspects. Coincidentally, I even met a couple of folks who are color blind this week, and our conversation opened my eyes to their daily challenges. I realized I was focused mostly on providing resources for those with low bandwidth by creating a PowerPoint for people who can’t watch my interactive video. It’s also a bit helpful for those who are hearing impaired, so that’s something!

For my final module, I really want to tackle these equity and accessibility issues head-on and make sure every student has a fair chance to engage with the content. (And just a heads-up, I know I can’t cover everything, but I’m going to give it my best shot.) I’m planning to design things to be more inclusive for folks with disabilities and language barriers. I’ll include various formats such as text, audio, and video, to meet different learning needs. I’m also going to make the navigation super user-friendly so everyone can easily get around. Plus, I’ll provide clear instructions for asynchronous participation to offer some flexibility, which I totally missed in the first module.

Alright, I’m off to dive into my final module! I hope to pull all of this together and more. If you have any suggestions on how I can improve accessibility and equity in my course, I’m all ears!

I have designed an onboarding training program for new employees at a telecommunications company to ensure they feel welcome and prepared for success from day one!

ADDIE Template

Training program overview

The new hire onboarding training program aims to equip new employees in the telecommunications company with the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to perform their roles effectively. This program ensures seamless integration into the company’s culture, work tools and job expectations while addressing potential challenges such as learning needs, accessibility, and other barriers.

Target Audience

The target audience includes new hires across all departments such as customer service, sales, IT, administrative roles, marketing and logistics personnel.

Demographics

The age range of adult learners spans from 20 to 50 years with encompassing a diverse educational background from high school graduates to university graduates. While some of the adult learners are new to the telecommunications industry, others bring previous experience. The workforce exhibits a variety of cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.

Training format

The delivery method will blend asynchronous, synchronous and  hands-on training for flexibility, real-life application and maximum engagement. The training duration is designed for 4 weeks but can be adjusted based on role complexity.

Training toolset

We will utilize Canvas as the learning management system (LMS) for structured learning, progress tracking, and automated reminders. Zoom will facilitate live webinars while Microsoft Workspace will serve as our collaboration tool and pre-recorded video using workplace tools. Assessment tools will include knowledge quizzes on Canvas, Kahoot!, role-playing exercises, and feedback from supervisors and managers. The company handbook will also be part of the training materials.

Training content and learning objectives

At the end of each training module, learners will achieve the following objectives:

Module 1- Company culture and orientation: learners will understand the company’s mission, vision and core values and also identify various departments and key leaders.

Module 2- Product knowledge and company’s services: learners will gain insights into the company’s services, products and solutions.

Module 3- Job specific training: learners will clearly define their roles and responsibilities associated with their specific job functions.

Module 4- Workplace tools and systems training: learners will navigate and effectively use essential workplace tools and software.

Module 5- Compliance and workplace policies training: learners will demonstrate knowledge of telecommunication industry regulations and company policies.

Assessment strategies

Formative assessment

1. Knowledge check quizzes will consist of multiple-choice and short-answer questions to be completed after each module alongside with quick assessments embedded in training videos.
2. Group discussion and collaboration on Google workspace will focus reflective conversations such as discussing how participants can contribute to the organization based on its vision and mission, applying the company’s values in their roles and posing questions or clarifications.
3. Feedback survey using google form will allow new hires to reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement and also improve future program based on learners’ experience.

Summative assessment

1. Learners will complete hands-on simulation assessments by working on real-world tasks under supervision.
2. Manager/ supervisor review will be conducted to provide feedback on learner’s performance.
3. A structured follow-up survey will be carried out a few weeks after the training to analyze the application of learned skills in the workplace.

Considerations for common concerns and accessibility

To address learning barriers:

1. A mobile friendly LMS will be adopted for easy access for learners without personal laptops.
2. Downloadable training content will be provided for offline access.
3. Asynchronous training will allow flexibility, addressing attendance and scheduling concerns, and recorded live sessions will be available for later viewing.
4. Training content will be localized with multilingual subtitles to accommodate diverse cultures.
5. Availability of onsite training halls for employees without internet access and devices.

Rationale for choices used in the training design

1. Asynchronous learning offers flexibility, while live sessions enable direct interaction. Hands-on activities facilitate practical application of knowledge.
2. Videos materials and simulations enhance engagement and the LMS (Canvas) tracks progress and personalizes learning paths.
3. Low-tech options such as mobile friendly LMS and offline learning materials cater to diverse needs. Multilingual support and localized content improve understanding among all participants.
4. Job simulations will validate real-world skill application while peer and manager reviews will nurture mentorship and promote teamwork.

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