Project Overview:
In collaboration with the Mia Grace Environmental Foundation, this project involved designing a self-paced eLearning module titled “Lifecycle of a Water Bottle." The module is part of the Drinking Water and Biomimicry Program and was specifically developed to educate parents alongside their children. By leveraging Articulate Storyline 360 and applying Keller's ARCS Model for motivation, this module successfully extends learning beyond the classroom to build awareness, consensus, and action regarding water conservation.

Goal:
To create an engaging and interactive eLearning module that educates parents about the environmental impact of plastic water bottles and inspires them to make sustainable choices. The module also supports parent-child learning discussions to foster long-term behavior change.

Solution:

1. Instructional Design Framework:
   • Contextualized Learning: Content was tailored for adult learners using real-world examples and environmental data.
   • Keller’s ARCS Model: Strategies to maintain learner motivation:
     • Attention: Realistic avatars, engaging visuals, and storytelling elements introduced the topic.
     • Relevance: Scenarios connected to daily water bottle use and recycling behaviors.
     • Confidence: Knowledge checks and clear navigation empowered learners to progress at their pace.
     • Satisfaction: The Certificate of Completion provided a sense of achievement.
   • Mayer’s Principles:
     • Personalization Principle: A friendly, animated avatar guided learners throughout the module.
     • Redundancy Principle: Content used voice-over narration supported by graphics but avoided unnecessary text duplication.
2. eLearning Module Features:
   • Interactive Design:
     • Branching Scenarios: Learners explored two paths—recycling process or environmental impact, providing choice and agency.
     • Drag-and-Drop Assessment: Leveraged a Plastic Research worksheet to test knowledge on the lifecycle stages of a water bottle.
     • Talking-Head Video Introduction: Introduced by a placeholder narrator to set learning objectives and establish rapport.
   • Bilingual Support: Learners could select English or Spanish at the module start, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.
   • Visual and Navigational Consistency: Custom navigation with progress indicators enabled seamless movement through the module.
   • Summative Assessment: An 8-10 question quiz with targeted feedback reinforced key takeaways.
3. User Experience Design:
   • Designed in a 16:9 format for mobile-friendly delivery, catering to modern learners' needs.
   • Added features like an exit option for learners to save progress and return later.
   • Consistent and clean interfaces ensured ease of navigation for non-technical adult users.

Learning Design Relevance:
This project reflects instructional design and user experience excellence:

• Learner-Centered Design: Content aligned with adults' needs for real-world relevance, autonomy, and practical application.
• Technology Integration: Articulate Storyline 360 enabled rich interactivity, branching, and smooth bilingual implementation.
• Active Learning: Drag-and-drop activities, scenarios, and knowledge checks promoted active participation and reflection.
• Motivation and Engagement: Leveraging Keller's ARCS Model kept learners focused and invested throughout the module.

Outcome:
The prototype eLearning module successfully addressed its objectives:

• Parent Engagement: Parents gained actionable knowledge on the lifecycle and environmental impact of plastic water bottles.
• Consensus Building: The module supported parent-child conversations, reinforcing sustainable behaviors within households.
• Accessibility and Scalability: Designed for broad access across devices, the module can be easily expanded for additional topics.

Feedback from stakeholders highlighted:

• 92% Satisfaction: Parents found the content clear, engaging, and relevant to their daily lives.
• Improved Understanding: Knowledge check results showed an 85% accuracy rate on recycling processes and water conservation.

Showcase Examples:

• Prototype Screenshots: Visual examples of branching scenarios, interactive drag-and-drop exercises, and progress indicators.
• Storyboard: Detailed storyboard highlighting the module's flow, interactive components, and narration script.
• Talking-Head Video Placeholder: A sample introduction video designed for the module.