Camp Counselor eLearning Course 

TOOLS: Articulate Storyline 360, Create Studio 3.0, Vyond, Camtasia, and Adobe Photoshop

- CASE STUDY -

EXPERIENCE THE FULL COURSE
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THE PROJECT: A Gamified eLearning Course designed for onboarding new Camp Counselors. This interactive training engages learners by allowing them to earn badges for answering questions correctly through branching scenarios that re-enact their responses. As learners collect all 12 badges to become a "Camp Superhero," they will master essential skills such as staying calm, assessing situations for safety, and responding appropriately to varying levels of severity in common camp scenarios.

THE CLIENT: Hope for Kids, Inc. (permission granted to share)

MY ROLE: Instructional Designer and  eLearning Developer from concept to completion and final delivery.

TIME IN DEVELOPMENT: 120 hours

THE CHALLENGE: “Hope for Kids” is a non-profit organization which runs a series of one-week summer camp sessions, relying on volunteers to serve as camp counselors. The problem is the inconsistencies among volunteer camp counselors in enforcing policies and effectively addressing recurring situations, which may pose a significant risk to the safety, well-being, and overall camp experience at 'Hope for Kids'.

THE SOLUTION: By the end of the training, camp counselor volunteers will demonstrate mastery in proactively identifying, addressing, and preventing a diverse array of issues and challenges during the camp week. They will learn how to stay calm, assess concerns, communicate effectively, and take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, thus fostering a nurturing and positive camp environment. Consequently, this will alleviate the burden on counselors, facilitating smoother operations and ensuring a more rewarding experience for all involved.

THE RESULTS: The eLearning course is expected to enhance the consistency and effectiveness of policy enforcement among volunteer camp counselors. It aims to reduce the occurrence of recurring issues, thereby minimizing risks to the safety and well-being of campers. Additionally, the improved training is projected to lead to smoother camp operations and a more positive experience for both counselors and campers.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL: "We had the pleasure of working with Jim to develop an e-learning program to train our volunteer counselors for our summer camp. Before starting the project, Jim took the time to thoroughly understand our organization, programs, and goals. He also identified our pain points and tailored the platform to address these issues effectively. Jim's dedication and attention to detail are evident in the final product. What Jim developed for our organization is truly impressive. The training is comprehensive and ensures that all our counselors have clear expectations." ~ Maria Anies, Director of Operations, Hope for Kids, Inc.

WHAT I LEARNED: Developing this eLearning course provided valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by volunteer camp counselors. I learned the importance of creating engaging and interactive content that not only educates but also motivates learners. Additionally, I gained experience in designing branching scenarios and creating animated character personalities to make the training more relatable and enjoyable. This project underscored the value of clear communication and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the training aligns with organizational goals and addresses the specific needs of the learners.

THE PROJECT: A Gamified eLearning Course designed for onboarding new Remote Workers. This interactive training engages learners by allowing them to earn stars for correctly answering questions through humorously exaggerated animated scenarios. As they collect all 4 stars to reach the "Galactic Headquarters," learners will master key remote work skills, including muting their mic and being aware of their webcam during virtual calls, dressing appropriately, admitting mistakes, and staying productive by avoiding distractions. The course aims to entertain while addressing common employer concerns about remote workers.

THE CLIENT: Concept Project

MY ROLE: Instructional Designer and  eLearning Developer from concept to completion and final delivery.

TIME IN DEVELOPMENT: 60 hours

THE CHALLENGE: Remote work presents unique challenges, including issues related to communication, distractions, and maintaining professionalism. Employers often face common complaints about remote workers not muting their mics during calls, forgetting their cameras are on, dressing inappropriately, and becoming easily distracted.

THE SOLUTION: I developed a gamified eLearning course featuring a 3D animated narrator and 2D animated characters, each with their own personality. Through humorously over-exaggerated scenarios, learners earn stars by answering questions correctly. This interactive approach helps remote workers avoid common pitfalls that can compromise their performance and professionalism.

THE RESULTS: Companies implementing this training can expect improved professionalism and productivity among their remote workers. The engaging format and humorous scenarios aim to make learning enjoyable and memorable, effectively reducing common remote work challenges. By avoiding frequent mistakes that can jeopardize productivity and harm business operations, employees will contribute to a more efficient and cohesive remote working environment, ultimately benefiting the organization as a whole.

WHAT I LEARNED: This project provided valuable experience with various eLearning development tools. I learned how to manipulate body language gestures and facial expressions using Create Studio 3.0, and I developed specific scenarios by creating scenes within Vyond. Additionally, I mastered techniques for getting animated characters to interact with each other, incorporating emotion and action triggers with lip-syncing dialogue. These skills enhanced the overall quality and engagement of the training, making it both educational and entertaining.