Design & Development
What I Believe In
"To design is to devise courses of action aimed at changing existing situations into preferred ones" (H. Simon, 1988)
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Design of learning materials is an open, complex, and non-linear
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Design is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and inclusive
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New elements or strategies in each design are a must to advance my professional knowledge and skills, and allow learners to explore and engage - Never stop learning!
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Learning environments should help participants break out of the mold of passive learners and proactively engage in both design of learning materials and their implementation
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Failure is part of the process and what moves us forward: "Fail Faster to Succeed Sooner" (D. Kelly)
Example: Branching Scenarios & Interactivities
Example: Videos & Animation
Example: Online Training Modules
Onboarding Train-the-Trainer Program
Project Goal: Design a multi-module onboarding train-the-trainer program
Client: HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training & Resource Center
Audience: Newly hired training specialists
Need: Gain common understanding of the organization's mission, vision, and coaching strategies, develop common professional vocabulary, develop materials to be shared with potental clients
Solution: online training modules that include peer-reviews and final exam
Platform and Tools Used: Canvas LMS, Camtasia for video editing, Adobe Illustrator for graphic design
Final outcomes: The development is currently in progress (3 modules developed). Additional modules planned for 2020.
To create common understanding of the organization's mission, vision, and coaching strategies, as well as develop common professional vocabulary to acculturate new team members, I was tasked with design and development of onboarding training.
I developed the first train-the-trainer modules were developed for training specialists working in a K-12 and professional environments. The modules covered such topics as:
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Mission and vision of company
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Use of evidence-based strategies
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Principles of adult learning
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Coaching: Foundations and approaches
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How to teach:
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Prompting
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Block, ignore, and positive attention
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Errorless learning
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Guided compliance and behavior momentum
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Positive reinforcement
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The modules are designed to be informative, representative of practices, and interactive. Modules include brief readings, videos of material presentation, sample presentations, and sample materials.
The interactivity is introduced through hands-on exercises (e.g., creation of handouts and materials to share with potential learners; peer review of presentations, and final project to be evaluated by the lead trainers. Currently, the modules are reviewed by the lead trainers.
Click on the slideshow below to expand the description for each image.
Introduction to the module and explanation of why how pieces relate
This activity is one of the examples of application activities learners will engage throughout the modules
The goal of the activity is two-fold: (1) help learners practice the acquired skills, and (2) expand the library of resources offered by the team through website.
Introduction to the module and explanation of why how pieces relate
Example: Graphic Design for Learning
Example: Information Architecture
“Information architecture focuses on organizing, structuring, and labeling content in an effective and sustainable way. The goal is to help users find information and complete tasks”
INformation Network
IndianaNetwork.org
Project : An 84-page website. Visited by ~3,000 people in the last year.
Client: IIACC per request from HANDS in Autism®, facilitator
Audience: Individuals with autism, their families, and larger communities
Need: Access to information, data, and resources related to state-level priority areas represented in the Indiana Comprehensive State Plan for Individual with ASD
Solution: Website
Platform and Tools Used: WordPress, Camtasia and PowToons for video editing, Adobe Illustrator for graphic design
Final outcomes: Build awareness, close gaps, inform families and communities
INformation network website is a collaborative system of resources related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the lifespan. The website is designed to support goals of the Indiana Interagency Autism Coordinating Council facilitated by HANDS in Autism®.
I got engaged in the website design and development at early stages of the project. My role included:
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Exploration of benchmark sites to inform needs and design
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Review data from the Indiana Needs Assessment to assess the current needs and questions that individuals with ASD, parents, professionals, and support personnel may have about ASD and supports
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Review of evidence-based publications
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Website layout planning and design using WordPress
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Text write-up in collaboration with SMEs
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Design usability testing materials to collect insights from IIACC members and community at large (click to view)
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Review results of usability testing and address gaps and challenges
At a later stage, I supervised an in-house graphic designer for some illustrations (e.g., icons), as well as ongoing updates of events and materials.
To explain the process of website review and addition of new information to the IIACC members, I have created the visual above.
As part of my involvement, I have also created the logo for the INformation Network.
Example: Onsite Summit
LCC Summit: Connecting and Inspiring the Community
Project Goal: Design the flow and materials for regional summits of Local Community Cadres
Client: HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training & Resource Center
Audience: Community stakeholders interested in supporting and advancing individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their needs in the community
Need: Reigniting interest in the community support and advancing of individuals with ASD and their needs in the community; bridge gaps across stakeholders
Platform and Tools Used: Adobe Illustrator,
Local Community Cadres (LCCs) are regional community networks of families and professionals invested in serving individuals affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities (click to learn more).
To strengthen and further expand the work of LCCs, a decision was made to hold regional summits.
I suggested to focus on the idea of systems redesign. I reviewed the literature and created the slides and flow for a day-long presentation and activities. The activities compromised the design thinking approach on building empathy, identifying needs, assets, goals, actors, and initial action planning.
I have collaborated with media specialists to create supporting and informational videos based on the script I originally created. Based on the feedback from the group administrators, I have aligned some activities and language with LifeCourseTools adopted in Indiana.
I have also created a facilitator guide and informed the development of the participant workbook.
Based on the flow and feedback from the first regional summit, the activities were adjusted, including simplifying the language and streamlining some activities.
Summit activities in action
Select materials from the Summit activities
Example: Information Design
"Information design is the practice of presenting information in a way that makes it most accessible and easily understood by users. Information design is targeted to specific audiences in specific situations to meet defined objectives. In its most sophisticated forms, it helps users understand complex data by organizing and simplifying data and information in ways they can quickly grasp"
To facilitate the communication of goals, intentions, and information in general, I trained myself on how to design visuals through the analysis of data and use of precedent. Precedent is key to design knowledge, helps inform understanding, and facilitate creation of new solutions (Boling & Gray, 2017).
Samples of information design are provided below:
Example: Instructional Material Design
Instructional and Informational Materials
Instructional materials and handouts I have created in the past can be either part of a course or used as a standalone to inform specific stakeholders/learners or a larger community either in an online environment or as a physical handout. As such, the materials should be engaging and supportive to ensure that learners are interested in exploring, absorbing, and referencing materials in the future. I approach each instance with careful planning, selecting, organizing, and visualizing information to reach the desired learning outcomes. Below, there are several examples of the materials I have designed:
Resources for Purdue Repository for online Teaching and Learning (PoRTAL)
As part of the PoRTAL team, I have developed or co-developed several informational handouts designed for faculty new to online teaching.
The resource layout and key considerations were discussed and agreed upon as a larger team to create uniformity and support branding. Thus, each resource includes an overview of the resource or strategy, why it should be used, and how to use or apply it in an online environment.
Employment Support Pamphlets
I have initiated a series of materials to distribute among employers to support employment of individuals with developmental disabilities, like autism spectrum disorder.
The resources are 5X8.5 and are a convenient size to make available at a workplace.
The development included the literature review, information design, and pamphlet design using Adobe InDesign Software.
Preventing Sexual Abuse Resource
I developed this information handout and activity to be used as a value-add and informational resources for people who completed the Sexual Health Class Research Survey, including families and professionals supporting individuals with disabilities (click to view).
My role included the review of relevant literature, information design, and pamphlet design.
Software used: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator.
How-To Series
I have expanded the original How-To series documents with more information, like
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use cases
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examples
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considerations
to make them more informative and clearer to professionals and families interested in making the resource and using it with individuals with ASD across settings.
Software used: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator.
Example: Evaluation and Reporting
Program Evaluation and Reporting: Annual Report
Annual reports are part of grey literature and include a range of information about the activities performed, resulted received, and goals for the upcoming year.
I designed and created the report in collaboration with other members of the HANDS team. My role include the overall design of the report and information, request for the necessary date, review of the activities within the year and results of such activities, as well as outline of the upcoming goals based on the directions outlined by the administration.
The report was reviewed and vetted by IIACC members at a quarterly meeting.
The report is available from the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) website (click to view)
Project Goal: Inform stakeholders about the work done on an annual basis
Client: IIACC through HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training & Resource Center
Audience: Community at large interested in the work done by the IIACC
Need: To create a comprehensive report about the organization's activities performed within the preceding year
Tools Used: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, MS Excel for data analysis
Instructional designer: competency-based and interdisciplinary learning experiences, researcher, visionary, lifelong learner