Overview

This is a scenario-based eLearning concept project designed to help sonography students make choices that demonstrate their knowledge in optimizing appropriate Doppler settings in real-world clinical situations. 

Audience: Sonography students 

Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design, Storyboarding, Action Mapping (Needs Analysis), Prototyping 

Tools used: Articulate Storyline, Corel PaintShop Pro, PowerPoint, Blender Video Editor

KPI: Student retention, customer satisfaction (increase in performance preparedness), increase in assessment scores

The Client's Problem

Based on feedback from students, they wanted more preparation for their clinical rotation in the area of Doppler optimization.  The students can practice adjusting Doppler settings in the school's sonography lab before their clinical rotation; however, additional eLearning training was conceptualized to enhance their decision-making process in various real-world clinical situations. 

Target Audience

The target learners are sonography students. The sonography program requires students without hearing or visual impairment including color acuity due to the requirements of the sonography field. This is an important consideration in the planning and development process. The learners are multi-generational with a mixture of job, academic, and technical experience.

 The Solution

The interactive learning object provides real-world clinical scenarios where the sonography student must decide the course of action. The learner will demonstrate their knowledge in four areas of Doppler optimization that include: gain, wall filter, aliasing, and angle of incidence. The learning interactive object will use videos and images and provide immediate feedback in all scenarios. 

Design Theory

Interactive Learning Object

The mixed-media learning object that was designed will help beginner sonography students learn information regarding imaging artifacts in small chunks. I used a combination of backward design and the ARCS model of motivation while developing the instructional plan by identifying the desired results, incorporating ways to show evidence of learning, and aligning the flow of content in a logical sequence. 

All the scenarios and knowledge checks provide immediate feedback with correct and incorrect responses. This includes a brief description to allow reinforcement throughout the learning process. Utilizing real ultrasound images, video clips, and clinical scenarios within some of the content provides an approach to applying real-life information and scenarios. Presenting the information in small chunks, utilizing guided discovery, real-world problem-solving scenarios, and using a variety of learning strategies provides an interactive engaging learning experience.

Design & Development Process

I designed and developed this eLearning experience from start to finish. To accomplish this, I created an action map, wrote a text-based storyboard, designed visual mockups, developed an interactive prototype, and completed the final product. 

Action Mapping 

I consulted an ultrasound physics instructor, a registered vascular sonographer, as my subject matter expert (SME), to develop the action map and establish the overall goal for this project. We then identified the main Doppler control settings adjusted by a sonographer in clinical situations. We decided to measure readiness by obtaining student feedback and quiz results upon completion of the training. 

Texted-Based Storyboard

I drafted and iterated a text-based storyboard that served as my design plan after identifying high-priority learning objectives through action mapping. The final product is based on selected critical assets of Doppler adjustment to avoid information overload. With a performance goal in mind, it was important to include learner feedback with all scenarios and assessment questions.

 When creating the storyboard, I used essential embedded notes following learning theory and practices to create an ideal learner-centered experience.

Visual Mockups

After ensuring that my storyboard and project design was engaging, I moved into the visual decision process. I created a style guide to ensure I was using fonts, colors, and spacing that were consistent throughout the project and used the college branding.

 My goal was to create visuals and scenes that emphasized the objective of the specific scenario topic.

After completing the style guide, I created a slide for each changing situation and scenario using Articulate Storyline graphics. Each of the four characters covered a specific Doppler topic objective. Each scenario gives feedback from the assigned character for correct and incorrect consequence slides. I iterated the slides for seamless flow with visual and instructional information. Creating visually appealing and learner-centered mockups is exciting, and I thrive on watching my instructional experience come to fruition.

Interactive Prototype

I used Articulate Storyline to develop the prototype that allowed me to collect feedback on functionality and the learner experience.

 The interactive prototype revealed many features that the learners enjoyed. The feedback allowed me to adjust items to make the experience more functional and immersive for learners. 

Full Development

After the prototype testing, I was confident with the look and functionality to move forward in completing the rest of the scenario-based project. I tested all animations, visuals, and triggers, ensuring they flowed seamlessly and logically without error. 

This learning experience uses engaging visual scenes that immerse the learner in the scenario. They receive immediate feedback in all scenario options. A short quiz was added with a summary at the end to ensure knowledge retention.

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