Can You Collaborate Effectively to improve student outcomes?
Can You Collaborate Effectively to Improve Student Outcomes?
Audience: Speech-Langauge Pathologists, Speech Assistants
Overview
A small Municipal school districts Speech Pathology Program’s aims to provide educational support, while targeting speech objectives, using classroom-based speech therapy strategies in conjunction with the classroom teacher. Most larger surrounding school districts have already transitioned towards an Inclusion model for children with language deficits. Learning loss due to the pandemic has not only caused lower testing scores, but statistics show that 1 out of every 3 school-aged child is unable to read.
I identified the need for this training after speaking with administrators, speech therapists and teachers who stated they were not well informed about the details of adapting newer support models. I confirmed the need and decided to develop scenario-based eLearning to help bridge the gap to improve education, student scores, etc. Collaboration between the speech therapists and teachers was stressed throughout our conversation.
School districts resource online training modules yearly for teachers and staff, so the eLearning design that I create will not only fit nicely into their process, but is the most cost effective way to ensure all incoming speech therapists, teachers and administrators have access to this training.
Process
I began working with Subject Matter Experts (SME’S) to develop an action map to identify goals, objectives, and discussed how changes could be made to better support the student’s curriculum and speech goals. A text based-story board was then drafted along with visual mockups made in Adobe XD for approval and developed a visual storyboard with programming notes.
Action Map - I worked with SME’S to develop an action map and define the overall goal of Inclusion, in order to successfully influence academics. I guided the expert to identify actions that would contribute to just that.
Text-based Story Board
After the action map was approved, I brainstormed with the SME’S on developing a text-based storyboard. Together, we came up with ways to make the learning engaging and inspiring to achieve positive results. Positive and negative consequences are apart of the experience so that learners can understand the importance of not only carrying out collaborative efforts as a team but to get familiarized with how the models of learning will look. The text-based storyboard includes a breakdown of the scenario by question, including answer choices, prompt text, and character texts. A mentor will be available if the learner needs help on answering a question. Realistic challenges that could possibly be in the way are incorporated into the design as well.
Visual Mockups
Once the SME approved the text-based storyboard, I designed the visual mockups for the project in Adobe XD. Adobe XD allowed for quick iteration and easy sharing to make improvement
After the client approved the text-based storyboard, I moved into creating mockups for the scenario-based eLearning. The client and I discussed using their brand’s color schemes with additional supporting colors, typefaces, and visual assets.
Visual Storyboard
I received approval on the text-based storyboard and was able to move into the visual design phase. I used Adobe XD to create visual mockups to get a better sense of what the project would look like. This was a crucial part of creating the eLearning experience because it allowed me to quickly iterate and apply feedback to my slides before developing in Articulate Storyline 360.
I selected a color theme that aligned with the company’s brand and chose a font type and weight for all headings and body text. I sourced graphics and used Adobe Illustrator to edit them to fit the color palette before importing them into the layouts I created in Adobe XD.
I wanted to design custom buttons and a custom progress bar, so I also used Adobe XD to design these elements.