Similar to analyzing others’ eLearning modules, another method an ID can use to increase their skills is to go through and reverse engineer eLearning modules they can find on the internet. This is important for a few reasons. First, it exposes the ID to different eLearning strategies. Second, it allows an ID to add to their coveted portfolio. Portfolios are important because they help build trust and eliminate risk for hiring managers, but we will get into that in a later article.
For this exercise, I chose to reverse engineer this Covid-19 branching scenario. The creator chose to lead the learner through a scenario with empathy for its core theme. The learner gets presented a few scenarios and at each level they must make the correct choice or be forced to redo the question after being presented feedback. The author uses articulate 360 and the training is triggered by a conversation that takes place in the office between two coworkers. I like the path the author took, but the visual aesthetics could use a touch up.
Here are a few things I would change to make the training more appealing:
The author should use different ques to push the learner into the direction they want them to go. The initial stages only have timed animations, and it is confusing where the learner should click or what they should do.
Avoid having animations disappear without learner interaction. For this example, if you don’t pay attention, you can easily lose focus and become lost.
Add narration to the slides. Currently, the training lacked narration and would be difficult to complete for the visually impaired.
Here's a taste of the reverse engineered script:
The training continues on with the same learning path. The author presents the learner with a choice and allows the learner to get feedback and try again for incorrect answers or to continue on with the training for correct choices.
Link to training:
https://www.ashitandon.com/Storyline%20Files/ELH325/story.html