Forklift Safety
Increased Awareness & Accident Mitigation
overview
Au
Audience
Newly hired and current employee forklift operators with various levels of experience
To
Tools
Articulate Storyline 360
Vyond
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
MindMeister
JustinMind
Google Docs
Canva
Re
Responsibilities
Instructional Design
eLearning Development
Visual Design
Prototype Creation
Problem & Solution
The problem & solution
Needs Assessment & Action Mapping
Action map created using MindMeister
Action map created using MindMeister
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After conducting a survey and interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) that included the general manager, loading dock supervisor, and current forklift drivers, it was determined that there is a direct correlation between an increase in forklift accidents for the year and drivers' inattention to forklift best practices. This impacts overall safety, an increase in insurance premiums, an increase in workers' compensation costs, and overall productivity.
As an organization, Medford Plant Farm (MPF) would like to reduce its forklift accidents to zero for the year, which will lower insurance premiums by 5% for the year, increase productivity by 25%, and reduce workers' compensation costs by 40%.
Working with SMEs and organizational stakeholders to create an action map, we identified high-priority actions an employee would need to perform to help the MPF reach its efficiency and safety goals. Focusing on what the learner needs to practice creates more successful habit-building and changed behavioral outcomes. These actions informed the learning goal that we would like to achieve through our eLearning solution: forklift operators will follow the forklift best practices 100% of the time leading to more efficiency and increased safety.
Text-based Storyboard
This text-based storyboard, created in Google Docs, served as a blueprint for the project.
This text-based storyboard, created in Google Docs, served as a blueprint for the project.
This text-based storyboard, created in Google Docs, served as a blueprint for the project.
This text-based storyboard, created in Google Docs, served as a blueprint for the project.
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Once the action mapping phase was complete, I began to craft a relatable scenario-based story based on the high-priority actions identified in the action mapping process. First I wrote a script based on a learner's first day on the job where they will encounter workplace scenarios and decision-making checkpoints. The scenario progresses through natural consequences in a risk-free environment, thereby making connections to real-world outcomes that optimize learning.
This text-based storyboard functioned as a blueprint for the eLearning solution and went through many iterations. I frequently accessed SMEs during this process for feedback that helped shape the scope of the project and ensured an authentic narrative voice. This feedback process was highly collaborative and helpful.
Lastly, I provided the learner with a mentor character, Marta, to help guide the learner through the various scenarios.
Visual Mock-Ups
Project style guide created in Adobe Illustrator.
Wireframes created in JustinMind of pivotal scenes
High fidelity mock-up created using Vyond and JustinMind.
Project style guide created in Adobe Illustrator.
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Once the storyboard was approved, I was ready to move on to the visual design process. I used Adobe Illustrator to create a visual style guide that was consistent with the client's aesthetic goals. I also designed wireframes using JustinMind, which provided the layouts for the interactive slides. This helped to maintain consistency and cohesion in the design for the entire scope of the project.
Finally, I designed high-fidelity mock-ups that were consistent with the approved visual style guide. I used Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create various visual assets to use throughout the project. It was during this stage and several iterations that the project really came to life and got the client excited.
Interactive Prototype
Using Articulate Storyline 360 to add interactive elements and speech bubbles. I work in an organized manner and label all layers making collaboration easy.
Using Articulate Storyline 360 to add interactive elements and speech bubbles. I paid close attention to the arrangement of layers.
Using Articulate Storyline 360 to add interactive elements and speech bubbles. When a learner makes an incorrect choice, they are reminded of the best practice and given another chance. Instead of viewing the entire scenario again, I shortened the slide so the learner could get to the choice slide faster.
Using Articulate Storyline 360 to add interactive elements and speech bubbles. I work in an organized manner and label all layers making collaboration easy.
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I began to develop an interactive prototype using Vyond and Articulate Storyline 360 using the storyboard and visual mock-ups as guidance. It was during this phase that I most strongly focused on the user experience, making sure that visual and sound cues were present in an engaging manner. It was while I worked on the interactive prototype that I paid close attention to the pacing and timing of events.
I created several interactive slides, consistently used visually pleasing slide transitions that added interest and served to pace the scenario, and a mentor layer for each consequence slide. I used Canva, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop to design the final visual assets.
Throughout this process, I collaborated with the SMEs to get feedback on the functionality and pacing of the project. I also employed non-SME test users to garner feedback on the overall flow and utility of the learning experience.
Full Development
The full development of the eLearning module using Articulate Storyline 360.
The full development of the eLearning module using Articulate Storyline 360.
The full development of the eLearning module using Articulate Storyline 360.
The full development of the eLearning module using Articulate Storyline 360.
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Once I included feedback from the interactive prototype, I was ready to complete the full development of this eLearning experience. With over 6 minutes of video and 72 scenes in Vyond, I had plenty of content. My attention to detail in the previous steps in this process made the full development easy and straightforward.
Reflections & Takeaways
Building this eLearning experience was both gratifying and familiar, thanks to my 15 years of creating learning experiences for diverse audiences, both in-person and online. I entered this project with a solid foundation in learning theories, web interactivity, digital design, and video editing, making my transition to new software and platforms seamless and a welcome challenge.
My attention to detail, particularly in the project's initial phases, ultimately saved time and resulted in an immersive experience. I was thorough at every step, from organizing my scenes to managing slide layers, which is crucial when collaborating with other instructional designers. I incorporated background sound to establish a sense of place and meticulously synchronized it with the on-screen visuals.
Among my favorite features of the animation were the camera pans in Vyond, which added a cinematic quality and guided the viewer's gaze, enhancing the visual storytelling. The consistent design of visual elements alongside sound contributed to a more engaging and cohesive learning experience.
I leveraged my existing software skills to develop new ones. For example, my extensive experience with Flash made navigating timelines and states in Articulate Storyline 360 remarkably effortless. My familiarity with camera movements and audio editing in software like Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro made transitioning to Vyond for animations a natural progression. I was thrilled to apply and expand my software expertise in innovative and challenging ways.
Embracing a growth mindset is crucial for successful instructional designers, as it fosters new learning through setbacks, feedback, and collaboration. Being receptive to fresh ideas and practicing active listening are vital for iterative refinement and optimizing the instructional design process. Collaboration with clients, SMEs, and fellow instructional designers becomes more robust when you welcome feedback and diverse perspectives, ultimately leading to the creation of impactful eLearning experiences.
Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable and fulfilling process.