Mastering Email Communication eLearning
I set myself the challenge of integrating AI into my processes as an instructional designer and eLearning developer. I wanted the use of AI to feel meaningful and to contribute in a way that streamlined my current process.
I began by using Chat GPT, asking it to give me an idea for a 5-minute eLearning, of which it provided me with the topic of ‘Mastering Email Communication’ along with basic learning outcomes and an idea for the structure or key topics within the content.
I then used my skillset as an instructional designer to expand on this, refine the learning outcomes and write well thought out content that reflected these outcomes.
I opted to use Storyline as my platform as I wanted a wider range of customisation. Through brainstorming aesthetics for this course, I concluded I wanted to create a ‘retro’ style, keeping the design very flat and simplistic.
I used this project as a way to try out new techniques too, such as adding sound effects and creating custom navigation, along with using Miro for my instructional design and scoping.
PROJECT DETAILS
Role: ELearning Developer and Instructional Designer.
Brief: creation of a short eLearning course based on a prompt from Chat GPT
Date: July 2024.
Duration: 1 month.
TOOLS
Articulate Storyline.
Microsoft Clipchamp.
SKILLS
ELearning development.
Instructional design.
Graphic design.
My response to the brief
Scoping and instructional design
After prompting Chat GPT to provide me with an idea for a 5-minute eLearning, I then took this information and placed it into a Miro board. Usually when scoping I use PowerPoint to begin pulling ideas together, but I wanted to try a more fluid ‘brainstorm’ style structure to gather my thoughts. Miro allowed me to add, connect and colour code my ideas in a way that supported my scoping process.
Whilst Chat GPT was helpful in beginning the creative process, the learning outcomes provided needed refining and I still needed to flesh out the suggested topics. I used Miro to wireframe the content, this means figuring out the flow, topics and ideas for interactivity. I opted to group a couple of the topics together to create a slightly longer, more in-depth scenario activity which would help the learner to explore best practice when creating an email and practice writing emails themselves. This did bump the suggested timing up to 10 minutes, as opposed to 5, but I felt it was necessary in providing key information and reflection time to the learner.
I wireframed the branching scenario separately in order to map out the different paths the learner could take. Within this scenario they are provided with an example person, detail of the relationship to this person and a short sentence of context. They then have to identify the written tone of voice in which to reply to this individual and craft an email in this tone of voice. Feedback is dependent on their choices and at the end they are challenged to reflect on their choices.
I really enjoyed creating this in Miro as it allowed me to easily see all branches of the scenario at once and move things or reorder steps as I pleased. I was also able to colour code each branch to easily identify the different steps within each.
Usually I would then take the wireframe and storyboard the content into PowerPoint - however for this project I opted to write content straight into Storyline. During the scoping period, I spent time generating ideas for the look and feel of this eLearning and decided I wanted a flat, retro aesthetic with a ‘screen within a screen’ feel. This means turning the Storyline player off. This screen within a screen meant I was working with a slightly smaller space for the content to sit, therefore I felt it beneficial for me to write content directly into this restrictive space, as it allowed me to better judge the appropriate interactivity and amount of written text for each slide.
UI and visual design
To begin generating a look and feel for this course I jumped over to Pinterest. I knew I wanted a fairly simple aesthetic and wanted to emulate that of an older computer system. Therefore I typed in ‘retro computer UI’ and was presented with a range of inspiration photos. I gathered these together on my Miro board to influence my creation of the look and feel document. Within this I include colour palette, fonts and icon style. I opted for a small colour palette, ensuring it had plenty of accessible colour pairings. I wanted to avoid a stark white background, so chose a soft beige and paired this with dark navy text, using the pink, green and burnt orange for accents, icons and buttons.
To create my ‘screen within a screen’ feel, I turned of the Storyline player and emulated my own player. Opting for a rounded edge rectangle for the content window and adding custom navigation. As the eLearning was short, I used the navigation bar as a way for the learner to see their progress in percent and to jump to a specific section. I didn’t feel the learner would need to jump to a specific slide as at the end of the eLearning is a downloadable cheat sheet, covering top tips and key content, therefore the likelihood of them needing to revisit the course was slim.
I did not want the design to be distracting and was sure to use a consistent style of icons throughout. I created dimension by using abstract shapes behind the rounded rectangle and layering imagery in its own separate ‘window’, once again to emulate the feeling of multiple tabs or windows. I kept imagery sparse and only used it where I felt necessary - this was to avoid cluttering the simple interface.
Platform and tools
I felt Articulate Storyline was the best platform to bring this learning to life, as I wanted a greater level of customisation which could not be provided through platforms such as Rise or Evolve. I also wanted to add touches of personalisation, for example at the beginning of the learning the user is instructed to input their name. This is then carried throughout the eLearning, making the section where they receive and construct emails more personal, as they are addressed to the learner.
I also added an audio on / off function, which can be accessed via the navigation menu. This allows the learner to toggle sound effects on and off, to create a learning experience that suits them. During the scenario activities there is also the option for voiceover, which again the learner has the option to turn on or off, depending on their needs and how they wish to learn.
Storyline allowed me to fulfil the required level of customisation and integrate a range of media and audio to bring the learning experience to life.
I had great fun playing around with sound effects too, opting for simple ‘click’ sounds on select to reveal slides and using error tones to indicate to the learner when their input is needed. As visually the eLearning was very simplistic, I took this as an opportunity to use audio to enhance the overall experience. These sounds were kept very short and were used consistently across the eLearning, for example during the scenario activity, a notification tone is used when an email is received and a ‘whoosh’ sound when an email is sent.
Final thoughts
I absolutely loved working on this project and enjoyed stretching myself to try new tools. I can see the value in using ChatGPT to speed up the initial scoping of my learning and I will definitely be reaching for Miro again to help brainstorm my ideas, both from a content perspective and look and feel.
I will also be experimenting more with adding audio into my eLearning and exploring the value this can bring.
