INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
Scenario-Based eLearning
This is a scenario-based eLearning project designed for Heartland Collective to aid farmers in exploring the different ways to maintain the health of their soil to maximize profits and restore their land.
Audience: Farmers and Resource Management
Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design, Storyboard, Mockups
Tools Used: Articulate Storyline, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Pixelmator Pro
Overview
The client was a midwestern company situated in the heartland of the United States that advocates for local control of resources and American ownership of their precious land. This project considers alternate ways, both current and traditional practices to improve soil health.
Concerned with the struggles of rural families, particularly small communities composed of generational farmers, the client chose to educate the public about best practices to prevent erosion and rejuvenate the ground. This also maximizes yield and profits for the farmers.
Process
This project is an ongoing process that requires constant analysis of the audience. Feedback and user testing is essential to refine a polished final version of this product. I am developing and designing this particular eLearning experience from start to finish. Progress is measured through the development of an action map, text-based storyboard, visual mockups, an interactive prototype, and final product.
Action Map
To identify the focus of the eLearning simulation, I worked with the founders of the Heartland Collective, rural farmers, and local conservation experts who together acted as my SME throughout the project. I was in constant contact with the SMEs through informational interviews to understand the responsibilities of the educational program and the ambition of changing these best practices. Action maps define and defend the performance by identifying improper terminology and misconceptions about the content with a variety of contexts.
Text-based Script
Once complete, a text-based storyboard was created from discussions with my SME. I was able to identify real-life consequences of the program and soil management issues. To increase the personality of the content and to give the text life, I created a custom characters.
CAN YOU REGENERATE YOUR SOIL?
Articulate Storyline 360 Script — Draft 1
Duration: ~10 minutes | Format: On-screen text with voiceover optional
Audience: Young/new farmers & climate-curious gardeners
OPENING SCENARIO: “From Dirt to Gold”
[Visual: A sad, garden. Soil is dry and cracked. A single plant droops.]
DEL (appears onscreen from left):
“Hey there! Your garden’s looking... well, let’s call it ‘soil-challenged.’ But don’t worry—we’ve all been there. You’re about to learn how to turn that dust bowl into soil gold.”
GREENHOUSE LAB: “SCIENCE OF SOIL”
SCY (enters from right):
“Indeed. Soil degradation isn’t just bad for plants—it releases carbon into the atmosphere. But good news: healthy soil draws it down. Let’s regenerate this garden—together.”
Your goal: Improve soil health, boost your garden’s resilience, and reduce atmospheric carbon using three core practices.
Let’s get to work.
[Gamification Progress Bar Activated: Soil Health | Atmospheric Carbon | Garden Productivity ]
CHALLENGE ONE: "DON'T FLIP OUT"
DEL:
“Okay, time to prep the soil... or is it? The ol’ dig-and-flip method might not be the best bet.”
SCY:
“Tilling exposes organic matter to oxygen, accelerating microbial respiration. That releases carbon rapidly—like setting the pantry on fire.”
Decision Point (Multiple Choice):
Visual Storyboard
A storyboard helped the client understand how all the pieces of the eLearning would work as a whole. I use a layout that incorporates the slides, text, programming notes, and visuals in one document. This helped the client visualize the flow of the eLearning and understand how all the elements would interact on the screen.
Development
I grouped elements together and organized the timeline so that the static elements and each element was introduced to stack on top of the previous element in the timeline. This system built out the animations and quickly make adjustments to the timing of individual elements without disruption or confusion.
