Background
I am an active volunteer on the Rodeo Run Committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Like all volunteers involved with HLSR, I was obligated to complete their golf cart training course when I initially joined the committee. The course consisted of a slideshow presentation followed by a series of multiple choice questions. I have to admit, I quickly glanced through the monotonous slides and managed to answer the questions without much effort. While I did pass the course, I later vented to my husband about the tediousness of the training and questioned its purpose since the content seemed like common sense information. In response, he suggested that it might be a legal requirement enacted in response to a previous accident. Intrigued, I decided to conduct some research on the matter. To my surprise, my findings completely shifted my perspective, making me truly appreciate the importance of golf cart safety training.
The Problem
In 2013, a tragic incident occurred within the HLSR community involving a member riding a defective golf cart. Unfortunately, the cart was unsafe for use, resulting in the rider being ejected and suffering serious head injuries. After suffering a severe injury, the individual fell into a coma and tragically passed away.
While it is important to recognize that training cannot completely eliminate all accidents, it plays a crucial role in enhancing awareness of potential threats associated with operating a golf cart. By actively participating in training, individuals can become more knowledgeable about the risks involved, reducing the chances of an accident occurring.
However, learners must fully engage in the training for it to be effective. Going through the motions without internalizing the information leads to ineffective training. Active participation and absorption of the knowledge provided are vital to truly understanding the importance of golf cart safety. Expecting learners to suffer through a dull slideshow is definitely not the right approach.
The Solution
After investigating golf cart safety and reviewing other training available, I discovered several key factors needed to enhance learner engagement. First and foremost, learners need to understand the significance of the training and how it directly impacts their own well-being and the safety of others. Training is more likely to be taken seriously if individuals are alerted to the risks associated with operating a golf cart without proper knowledge of safety procedures.
Secondly, active participation is essential for effective learning. In the course I developed, I incorporated interactive experiences, such as realistic scenarios that require learners to evaluate the situation and assess its safety. Through this experiential approach, learners are encouraged to actively engage with the material, increasing their comprehension and retention of it.
Additionally, I used Vyond along with Storyline to develop the course. The course takes on a more dynamic video-like format by integrating this tool. As a result, the training environment is more immersive and visually appealing than traditional slide presentations.
A course that combines valuable information, interactive activities, and a captivating visual format can increase learner engagement significantly. It helps to ensure that learners understand the importance of golf cart safety and are equipped with the necessary knowledge to operate carts safely.
Tools Used
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Articulate Storyline 360
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Vyond
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Canva
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AI Speech Synthesis
Design
Font
Iron and Brine
Soleil light
Soleil Extra Bold
Color Palette
Development
When I first started designing this course, I didn't use Vyond with Storyline. As a result, the course felt flat and similar to a PowerPoint presentation. To make it more engaging, I decided to experiment with Vyond and create animated characters. Adding these characters gave the course a more video-like feel, making it more visually appealing.
During the development process, I heavily relied on Storyline and used the notes tool to sketch out the course's flow. This helped me organize the content and create a structured training experience.
By combining Vyond's animations with Storyline's functionality, I was able to enhance the course's engagement factor. The animated characters and well-structured layout made the training more interesting and immersive for learners.
