Challenge: Educate learners on the evolution of robotics in a manner which coveys the content but also sparks interest and curiosity about the topic. This activity is for learners relatively new to the field, so an interesting yet informative design is essential.

Solution: Instructional designer and industry professional developed a script with time periods and descriptions as well as questions for assessment.

Instructional Designer:

• Used generative artificial intelligence tool Synthesia to create a character who narrates the events in the timeline
• Imported and edited video clips to make each section of the design visually engaging
• Used Storyline 360 to assemble all media, input interactive questions, and add triggers for seamless flow

Takeaway: This design equips learners for further exploration of the field of robotics by giving them a solid foundation in robotic innovation from general manufacturing to machine vision systems to Industry 4.0 technologies.

Challenge: Instruct learners about how drugs, addiction, and psychological disorders alter brain chemistry and function.

Solution: Instructional designer and industry professional created a script with information about how illicit drugs and alcohol change brain chemistry. For example, this included analysis of how addiction rewires the brain and a discussion of psychological factors such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Instructional Designer:

• Used generative artificial intelligence tool Synthesia to develop animations and short video clips to make each section of the design visually engaging
• Used Storyline 360 to assemble all media, input interactive questions, and add triggers for seamless flow

Takeaway: This design gives learners knowledge about how brain chemistry and genetics contribute to disorders like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety.

Challenge: Create a design which gives learners the opportunity to confront the pitfalls and questions that arise in cross-cultural communication. Teach learners how to resolve these situations and show them how they can grow as a result.

Solution: Instructional designer and industry professional developed a script which included three situations of cross-cultural communication and questions for each situation.

Instructional Designer:

• Used generative artificial intelligence tool Vyond to develop animations which illustrated these situations
• Used Storyline 360 to assemble all media, input interactive questions, and add triggers for seamless flow

Takeaway: This design gives learners new tools and techniques for handling the cross-cultural communication situations which they will encounter in everyday life.

Challenge: Create a design which helps learners prepare to consult with a career development business about psychological, sociological, and environmental factors that affect leadership styles.

Solution: Instructional designer and industry professional developed a series of vignettes about employees who work virtually and how such an environment affects them. They then formulated “expert answer” questions so learners could identify and discuss the sociological, psychological, and environmental factors that exist in a virtual work environment and the impact this has on leadership style.

Instructional Designer:

• Used generative artificial intelligence tool Vyond to animate the vignettes
• Used Storyline 360 to assemble all media, input interactive questions, and add triggers for seamless flow

Takeaway: This design gives learners the knowledge and understanding to lead teams in an evolving professional world where many employees may work remotely.

Challenge: Teach learners an essential rule of the business world about setting goals. Goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely).

Solution: Instructional designer and industry professional developed a script that demonstrated each element of the SMART paradigm. They then formulated “expert answer” questions so learners could correct inaccurate SMART Goal statements.

Instructional Designer:

• Brought the script to life using animation tools within the Camtasia video software program
• Used Storyline 360 to assemble all media, input interactive questions, and add triggers for seamless flow

Takeaway: This design equips learners with an understanding of an essential rule of business: how to create goals which achieve results.

Challenge: Introduce learners to risk assessment through comprehension of terms such as ambiguity, uncertainty, heuristic, and bias.

Solution: Instructional designer and industry professional wrote a series of multiple-choice questions in which learners match definitions with terms.

Instructional Designer:

• Created complex scribble motion paths and triggers to simulate free throws on a basketball court. Each correct and incorrect answer is accompanied by a basket or a miss depending on the learner’s choice. This unique design is consistent with adult learning theory which suggests that adult learners enjoy game play when answering questions.

Takeaway: This design facilitates knowledge acquisition of risk assessment in an entertaining and visually appealing format.

Challenge: Introduce learners to models of healthcare as well as the ageism that exists in the American healthcare system.

Solution: Instructional designer and industry professional wrote a series of multiple-choice questions in which learners test their knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990.

Instructional Designer:

• Created numerical triggers to simulate a Jeopardy-type game. This unique design is consistent with adult learning theory which suggests that adult learners enjoy game play when answering questions
• In other iterations of this design, timers and music were also used

Takeaway: This design facilitates knowledge acquisition of the American healthcare system in an entertaining and visually appealing format.

Challenge: Introduce learners to inside-the-box and outside-the-box thinking. Demonstrate how socio-economic environment plays a role in the development of the “self.”

Solution: Instructional designer and industry professional developed a script with examples of inside- and outside-the-box thinking. They created two characters from different socio-economic backgrounds and described their paths through life based on those backgrounds. Finally, they developed questions to help students understand and appreciate how environment affects development.

Instructional Designer:

• Created animations, images, and panels in Storyline 360 to depict the individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Input interactive questions and added triggers for seamless flow

Takeaway: This design educates learners about diverse ways of thinking: an essential skill in today’s business world. It also gives learners an appreciation for others who may hail from a distinct environment.