TMS
Instructional Design
Hello, my name is Thaddaeus Smith.
I am a learning solutions designer and developer based in Portland, Oregon. I specialize in utilizing gamification, simulations, and branching scenarios to engage learners and create effective educational experiences. Thank you for visiting my website!
My Process
When designing learning solutions, my process involves several stages. Each of these stages have several iterations and frequent check-ins with the client.
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During this stage, I ask many, many questions. For example:
Who is the target audience?
What are the audience demographics?
Where and when will the learning take place?
What should the learners know how to do after the training?
What problem needs to be solved?
This is only the start and only a short list of example questions. During the following stages of my process, I ask many more questions and request feedback at regular intervals. -
After determining the best modality for the learning solution, I move into the design stage. During this stage and depending on the modality, I create design documents to provide a general overview of the course, concept maps to outline the flow of the course, and storyboards to detail interactions and visual elements in the course. As always, I provide these elements to the client to receive feedback and make sure I am on the right track.
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When I reach the development stage, it means that I have a solid idea of what elements the training will contain. If it is e-learning, that may be a course developed in Articulate Storyline or Rise, Vyond, another authoring software, or a combination of several. If it is microlearning or VILT, I usually develop learning solutions in PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, or a graphic design software like Canva.
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When the learning solution is implemented to learners, I keep close contact with the LMS administrator or course facilitator to ensure everything is running smoothly.
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After the learning solution has been implemented, I analyze the results of the learning. There are almost always changes that need to be made, so analysis of the learning solution results is key. Using my findings, I make necessary changes and implement the learning solution again.
