E-Learning Podcasts: Audio Interviews with Course Designers #364

Another challenge from E-Learning Heroes which is about recording a 10 question podcast about… myself. I think these were pretty good self reflection questions so it was a great challenge to do. I record my own audio at home in a small untreated room using an Elgato Wav Microphone, processed in Adobe Audition.

Podcast Interview Questions:

1. Who are you, and how did you get into e-learning? What did you do before e-learning?

Hello, my name is Scott Wilson and I am an instructional designer from Ireland. I got into elearning as part of my progression from being an online lecturer. I graduated with a master’s degree in computer games design and 3d modelling. However, I swiftly went into education, where I’ve been teaching digital media using Adobe Creative Cloud. And now I am here designing and developing online courses at a private education company in Ireland. Overall, all the skills that I have gained in the past have all come together into the designer that I am right now.

2. What is your design process, and how do you approach new projects?

Typically I will work using a pre built template that I have created myself so that all the courses that we create have a consistent look for our company. But I am very much aligned towards having a solid structure using a lesson plan provided by the SME

3. How do you work with subject matter experts? What advice would you offer to designers just getting started?

I would say about 90% of the time, SME will have created a course in PowerPoint, which I will then take and mould into my pre existing template. I will then talk about what additional aspects to add in, such as video content, audio narration, interaction and quizzes. Some subject matter experts can be quite hesitant to try new things. However, once they seem they see the end result. They are typically converted and are happy with the end result.

4. What is your favorite part about designing e-learning? What do you like least?

I love trying out new designs, features and tools however this can be my greatest enemy as well when I aim to have consistency throughout a number of courses and have deadlines to make

5. What do you think about storyboards? Do you use them? Do you avoid them? What is it you like or dislike about using storyboards?

With my experience in 3d graphics and animation, I am no stranger to using storyboards or shot lists. However, most times I do find that simply the time isn’t there to do any storyboarding. And a lot of the time, the subject matter experts will already have a course made in the likes of PowerPoint, which can, in a way act as a storyboard as well.

6. How do you solicit and incorporate client feedback? Have you ever pushed back on clients or SMEs? How did it work out?

I have recently swapped to articulate 360. And I find that the review 360 tool to be really good for making changes and gathering feedback. However, I am still a fan of the likes of Google spreadsheets to collect feedback, and I’m able to make changes on the fly using that. So really a mixture between review 360 and spreadsheets

7. What do e-learning designers need to know about designing accessible courses?

So accessibility is extremely important, especially in 2022. Towards the end of last year, I did undertake what is called the UDL badge, which stands for Universal Design for Learning. And it really opened my eyes to ensure that all of the elearning programmes that I work on have the three main principles which are means of engagement, representation and expression. If you have not ever heard of UDL before, then I really recommend checking it out.

8. How do you measure a project's success?

To measure project success, I will typically use something like a feedback form to get an understanding of three main areas. Whether or not the learner has actually achieved the learning goals. If the course was user friendly if there was any issues that they run into, and then lastly if they would be interested in doing another course, throughout all their questions that we asked but those are usually the three main ones that we will, we will set out to to get

9. What would you like to learn in 2022 to help grow as a course designer?

So at the moment, I would say that time is my biggest barrier in my day to day workings. However, the things I would like to learn more in 2020 is bringing my traditional graphic design skills into my elearning courses, such as bringing in more custom graphics, animations, maybe even a bit of gamification and even 3d graphics or something. And then the other thing is, I have been teaching myself how to record and edit production level audio for any narration. So, that is the other thing I am looking into for 2022So at the moment, I would say that time is my biggest barrier in my day to day workings. However, the things I would like to learn more in 2020 is bringing my traditional graphic design skills into my elearning courses, such as bringing in more custom graphics, animations, maybe even a bit of gamification and even 3d graphics or something. And then the other thing is, I have been teaching myself how to record and edit production level audio for any narration. So, that is the other thing I am looking into for 2022

10. What's one thing you can tell us to get to know you better?

As cheesy as it might sound if you do want to get to know me a bit better feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.