Sharing the Load: Collaborative Course Design

How unique strengths and shared responsibilities shaped my most successful eLearning build in graduate school.

This blog showcases a portfolio project, created as part of a collaborative course design project that I managed alongside two other instructional design professionals and graduate school colleagues. 

Project Overview: Building Together in Real Time

In the Spring of 2024, I was charged in leading a collaborative course design group to build out my first full eLearning experience as an Articulate Storyline project.  My colleagues were both under heavy strain from travel plans and personal responsibilities.  While I also was traveling, working full time and taking an additional course, I braced myself to lead because I always enjoy the challenge of working with others in this capacity.  

Why Strengths-Based Collaborative Instructional Design Matters

Strengths-based leadership has been a part of my approach to eLearning development and project management for instructional designers for some time. I have taken the ©Gallup Strengths Finder assessment on four seperate occasions, so I recognize that the best teams are those whose members aren’t all talented in the same way.  My biggest priority in course design partnerships is to ensure everyone is given proper parameters, instruction on responsibilities, and are working within their unique talents.  I believe those “islands of misfit toys” build the most magical and powerful of partnerships.

Lessons in Leadership and Partnership

In the end, I believe the product we created was the direct result of THE strongest collaborative course design group experience during my time in graduate school.  We may have held an unequal share of responsibility, but because we were all working in our strengths, the work benefited.  

In the remaining body of this blog, you will find a link to view the project in Articulate 360, a link to view the interactive rubric to assess learner experience and the first sections of my project charter to show project overview and goals. To see the entire charter, you will find a link to the first version.  This addition is provided to showcase how I approach project management, partnership, and design flow to maximize time and impact. Enjoy!

Project Management in Action: What We Created through Collaborative Learning Design

Explore the Project: Interactive Links

• Project Charter: Viewable Google Document
• Full Project (Articulate 360 Review): BETA Version (Tested April 2024)
• Assessing a Multimedia Lesson (Articulate Rise Shared Project): Interactive Rubric (Accessible within eLearning Module)

Collaborative course design team:

• Caroline LeBoeuf– Project Manager of collaborative instructional design project, Author of Project Charter, Manager and Contributer for ADDIE process collaboration, Lead on Media Plan for full eLearning lesson, Designer of General Slides and Part 2: Assess (Storyboards), Lead Designer of full eLearning lesson Articulate Storyline for versions 1-3
• Nicole Woods– Contributor for all aspects of ADDIE process, Lead Designer of Course Flowchart, Designer of Part 3: Evaluate (Storyboards), Lead Designer of Articulate Rise Project “Assessing and Multimedia Lesson”
• Jaime Martinez– Lead on Analysis Phase with Task Analysis of Course, Contributor for all aspects of ADDIE process, Designer of Part 1: Define (Storyboards), Lead Test Recruiter and Evaluator of Project

Excerpt from Project Management Charter

Overview of the Project

Gagné’s Nine Levels of Instruction (also known as Nine Conditions of Learning, Nine Events of Instruction, or Taxonomy of Learning) is a flexible lesson structure that helps instructors engage students and achieve their learning outcomes. This multimedia lesson will help instructional designers define the Nine Levels, identify examples of each level, and evaluate how successfully a lesson implements the Nine Levels.

Goal Analysis 

Learners will understand Gagné’s Nine Levels of Instruction and assess their implementation in their own work through an e-learning module-based multimedia lesson offered through Articulate Storyline.

Objective Analysis

By the end of this eLearning module, learners will be able to:

• Define Gagné’s Nine Levels of Instruction
• Identify examples of each level
• Evaluate an existing lesson for its adherence to the Nine Levels

Reference: Kurt, D. S. (2021, January 1). Gagné’s nine events of instruction. Educational Technology. https://educationaltechnology.net/gagnes-nine-events-of-instruction/

What You Can Expect from Me in Collaborative Course Design

As a partner, my clients can expect the same service as my colleagues did.  I hope to balance them in the way they need to create something amazing!  With my artistic and creative temperament alongside my ability to focus, initiate and strategize, my clients always get the very best of balance.

Let’s Connect!

Ready to experience the power of a balanced, strengths-based design partnership?

Visit my Work with Me page to explore how I can help bring your vision to life. 

Book a free 30-minute consultation with me.

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Until next time – keep shining for those who would otherwise remain in the dark.  Be the light!