This was a learning module for 4th-grade students in 4-H that introduced the use and safe operation of unmanned aerial vehicles, generally known as drones.
- Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Supplemental Content Development, Multimedia Design and Development using a combination of traditional and generative AI techniques
- Target Audience: 4th grade 4-H students
- Tools Used: Articulate Storyline, Krita, Reallusion Cartoon Animator, Generative AI
- Budget: Low
- Client: Purdue University Extension Services
- Year: 2024
Overview
As part of the larger and ongoing Digital Agriculture Project, Purdue Extension educators requested an online asynchronous learning module introducing unmanned aerials vehicles (UAVs) and targeting 4th-grade learners involved in 4-H.
The importance of UAVs in both large and small agricultural operations has substantially increased in recent years. It is vital that upcoming students in agriculture and the sciences become familiar with the operation of and potential uses for UAVs in the broader agricultural landscape. This introductory module was meant to serve as a prequel to a later, more detailed module targeted to high school learners.
The overall Digital Agriculture project serves an audience spanning a wide range of grade levels. As one of the modules targeting elementary-level learners, this UAV module was designed to present content in a low text, high graphic format. With the goals of topic introduction and interest establishment, this approach lends itself to better engagement with younger learners.
The client agreed with my approach, feeling their learners for this topic would be better served by limiting the cognitive load associated with large amounts of otherwise novel content.
Project Origins
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Design Approach
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Process
This project relied heavily on a content base targeting high school and college level learners. A significant task was to extract topics suitable for UAV introduction and translation of the the content into something digestible by 4th-grade students. Another major hurdle was the extensive development of relevant graphical media to support the specialized topic matter. Once these were completed, the development of the final eLearning product was fairly straightforward.
Instructional Design
Working with the client, we identified the primary topics best suited for learner’s needs when getting started with UAVs in 4-H.
Each of these topics were fleshed-out using a combination of advanced UAV learning resources and further content research. Specific attention was given to agricultural applications and impacts of UAV use, centering the learning experience in the agricultural context.
Text-Based Storyboard
I developed a detailed text-based storyboard, expanding on the topical outline, that followed the progression of the learner through various topic areas. This narrative outline established content scenes and described the presentation of individual sub-topics. This also served as the draft for module narration graphic design, and user interactions. I shared with with this this for content approval and feedback. Afterward, this expanded into a graphical storyboard.
Prototype
From the graphic storyboard and the draft narrative, media development began to produce topic-specific graphics, actors, and scenes. I completed initial scene design for select topics.
I also developed of an interactive visual-programming activity, using the SCRATCH block-programming platform, for evaluation prior to full module completion.
The client provided approval on look and feel, as well as interactive scope.
Final Product
Final development of media content, narration scripts, and interactions followed client approval of prototypes. The detailed storyboards facilitated a streamlined development process.
Client Testimonial
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Results and Takeaways
The final product is under evaluation with educators and target audience. Awaiting follow-up feedback and adjustment requests.
Since UAV and drone use in agriculture is rapidly expanding, and the topic is well-suited to younger audiences, this module should provide a vital springboard into engaging agriculturally savvy learners ready to engage in advanced science and agriculturally-based disciplines.
I enjoyed creating this story-based module and I believe it will help engage younger learners more effectively than traditional text and video-based modules. A fine line exists between motivational and educational learning design. I strive to encompass both of these into my instructional design work.
