OVERVIEW
This scenario-based eLearning simulation was developed for an international organization to build cultural competency in a very diverse workplace.
Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity Training
This scenario-based eLearning simulation was designed to foster inclusion and cultural sensitivity in a large, international company.
Audience: employees at all branches within the US
Responsibility: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design, Mock-ups
Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe XD, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Elevenlabs
Problem and Solution
In this concept project, the client, a large international company, contacted me for assistance with their diversity and cultural sensitivity initiative. They reported having issues in communication due to a lack of cultural sensitivity and awareness of how to respond to discrimination.
The client wanted the employees at their US branches to be aware of the nuances of cross-cultural communication and understand the importance of their actions and decisions.
Improvements in cultural competence could cultivate better relationships among different groups. Along with this, the client wanted to empower employees to take an active role in stopping discrimination to foster safety, support, and respect in the company culture.
Process
I approached this project by first creating an action map with guidance from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The action map informed my development of the text-based storyboard. Then, I created visual mock-ups of the project using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, and Canva.
Once the mock-ups and the text-based storyboard were approved, I began working on a prototype in Articulate Storyline 360. After I received feedback on the prototype, I completed the project in Articulate Storyline 360 and made adjustments where requested.
After meeting with the client and key stakeholders to verify the needs and set a clearly defined goal, I met with SMEs to identify key actions for the learner to achieve this goal.
I guided the SMEs in identifying what actions employees would take to show that they are being culturally sensitive and acting or responding in ways that prevent and stop discrimination.
We identified three pain points in the workplace that lead to conflicts:
Selecting food for guests at events
Witnessing discrimination
Responding to cultural differences
With these actions mapped out, the decision points for the scenario could be developed.
Text-Based Storyboard
Visual Mock-ups
While waiting for approval for the storyboard, I began working on the visual mock-ups. This allowed the client to review the design of the project and offer feedback.
Prototype
Once the text-based storyboard and visual mock-ups were approved, I applied the feedback to develop a prototype. The prototype included the introduction, two decision points with corresponding consequences, and the conclusion.
While the client went through the prototype, I noted all their feedback and began developing the final product.
Final Product
Once the prototype and text-based storyboard were approved, I applied the feedback in the development of the final product.
Bringing this story to life was my favorite step in the entire process. I really connected with the story and was excited to see it all come together.
Takeaways
I proposed a scenario-based eLearning experience that allows employees to make important decisions and see the consequence of their choices in a low-risk environment.
Action Map
Subsequent to identifying the most important actions to focus on, I collaborated with SME to create a realistic story that places the learner right into real-life scenarios.
We developed a story where the learner is a new employee at the company and has to navigate the first year on the job with minimal guidance.
The learner would face choices about what food to order for catering, how to respond to cultural differences, and what to do if an employee reports being discriminated against.
When a learner makes the wrong decision, they experience the corresponding consequence of their action and they are taken back to the situation to try again. Conversely, when the learner makes the correct choices, they advance through the story.
While making the first decision of what food to choose for the catering, the learner is presented with a “World” icon that reveals demographic information about the company including the countries they operate in and the religions that make up those countries. This helps give hints on which decision to make.
In this concept project, this eLearning experience was integrated into the client’s Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity Training program, and we expect to see a positive impact on the company culture due, at least in part, to this eLearning simulation.
In the future, I hope to apply my instructional design skills to projects like this where I can help in building a positive company culture.
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Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity Training
This scenario-based eLearning simulation was designed to foster inclusion and cultural sensitivity in a large, international company.
Audience: employees at all branches within the US
Responsibility: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design, Mock-ups
Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe XD, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Elevenlabs
Problem and Solution
In this concept project, the client, a large international company, contacted me for assistance with their diversity and cultural sensitivity initiative. They reported having issues in communication due to a lack of cultural sensitivity and awareness of how to respond to discrimination.
The client wanted the employees at their US branches to be aware of the nuances of cross-cultural communication and understand the importance of their actions and decisions.
Improvements in cultural competence could cultivate better relationships among different groups. Along with this, the client wanted to empower employees to take an active role in stopping discrimination to foster safety, support, and respect in the company culture.
I proposed a scenario-based eLearning experience that allows employees to make important decisions and see the consequence of their choices in a low-risk environment.
Process
I approached this project by first creating an action map with guidance from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The action map informed my development of the text-based storyboard. Then, I created visual mock-ups of the project using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, and Canva.
Once the mock-ups and the text-based storyboard were approved, I began working on a prototype in Articulate Storyline 360. After I received feedback on the prototype, I completed the project in Articulate Storyline 360 and made adjustments where requested.
Action Map
After meeting with the client and key stakeholders to verify the needs and set a clearly defined goal, I met with SMEs to identify key actions for the learner to achieve this goal.
I guided the SMEs in identifying what actions employees would take to show that they are being culturally sensitive and acting or responding in ways that prevent and stop discrimination.
We identified three pain points in the workplace that lead to conflicts:
Selecting food for guests at events
Witnessing discrimination
Responding to cultural differences
With these actions mapped out, the decision points for the scenario could be developed.
Subsequent to identifying the most important actions to focus on, I collaborated with SME to create a realistic story that places the learner right into real-life scenarios.
We developed a story where the learner is a new employee at the company and has to navigate the first year on the job with minimal guidance.
The learner would face choices about what food to order for catering, how to respond to cultural differences, and what to do if an employee reports being discriminated against.
Text-Based Storyboard
When a learner makes the wrong decision, they experience the corresponding consequence of their action and they are taken back to the situation to try again. Conversely, when the learner makes the correct choices, they advance through the story.
While making the first decision of what food to choose for the catering, the learner is presented with a “World” icon that reveals demographic information about the company including the countries they operate in and the religions that make up those countries. This helps give hints on which decision to make.
Visual Mock-ups
While waiting for approval for the storyboard, I began working on the visual mock-ups. This allowed the client to review the design of the project and offer feedback.
Prototype
Once the text-based storyboard and visual mock-ups were approved, I applied the feedback to develop a prototype. The prototype included the introduction, two decision points with corresponding consequences, and the conclusion.
While the client went through the prototype, I noted all their feedback and began developing the final product.
Final Product
Once the prototype and text-based storyboard were approved, I applied the feedback in the development of the final product.
Bringing this story to life was my favorite step in the entire process. I really connected with the story and was excited to see it all come together.
Takeaways
In this concept project, this eLearning experience was integrated into the client’s Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity Training program, and we expect to see a positive impact on the company culture due, at least in part, to this eLearning simulation.
In the future, I hope to apply my instructional design skills to projects like this where I can help in building a positive company culture.
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This interactive and gamified eLearning experience inspires instructional designers at a large company to use modern tools and features in their eLearning projects.