This week I started planning my first Scenario Based E-learning Project

When first going over the project guidelines, I felt like I was vibrating a little: this is my first opportunity to design and develop both an e-learning module AND have it implemented for a client.

I previously mentioned that prior to my current position, I was employed at a nonprofit for nearly 4 years. The mission of the nonprofit is straightforward: Improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Working with the disability community is an honor and not a job I take lightly. The community is frequently left out of instructional design discussion and decision, particularly in e-learning.

Accessibility is becoming a hot issue in our field. My heart soars every time I happen across an article or resource on the topic, but “accessibility” as defined currently in the field, is still often excluding individuals with cognitive disabilities from e-learning design.

As my practice evolves, I plan on translating my experience designing instructor-led training into fully accessible e-learning for the community as a whole. Scoping this project is such an exciting endeavor for me because it is the first leg of my personal pedagogy as an instructional design practicioner.

Scenario-based e-learning design is an excellent way to engage learners with real-life scenarios in low stakes learning situations. I also believe scenario based e-learning can be utilized to build the foundations of a truly inclusive e-learning design and experience. This project is my first opportunity to start putting my learning into legitimate practice and I could not be more excited to begin.