When I was tasked with developing the Waterproof Gland Assembly course, the starting point was a raw video recorded by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in a garage setting. While the SME’s expertise was clear, the content itself posed several instructional challenges—poor lighting, limited visibility of components, and minimal structure.
Using the ADDIE model as a guiding framework, I transformed this content into a clear, engaging, and interactive learning experience.
Analysis
In the initial phase, I evaluated the primary learning challenge. Learners needed to accurately identify parts and assemble them in the correct order. The existing video made it difficult to distinguish components or follow the process step-by-step.
The performance gap was clear—learners lacked visual clarity and hands-on practice opportunities, both critical for procedural tasks.
Design
During the design phase, I focused on simplifying and structuring the learning experience. I broke down the assembly process into clear, sequential steps and defined key learning interactions such as part identification and assembly order practice.
I applied a “Show → Do” approach, ensuring learners could first see components clearly, then practice assembling them. The goal was to create an experience that felt intuitive, visual, and easy to follow.
Development
To address the limitations of the original SME video, I partnered with a graphic designer to create clean, high-quality visuals for each component. I replaced unclear video segments with labeled, easy-to-identify images.
Using Articulate Storyline, I built an interactive experience where learners identify each part and then practice placing components into the cable in the correct order. This shifted the experience from passive watching to active participation.
Implementation
The course was delivered as a self-paced eLearning module. Learners could move through the content at their own pace and repeat interactions as needed.
The interactive Storyline activity allowed learners to practice the procedure without needing physical materials, making the training more accessible and scalable.
Evaluation
Early feedback showed that learners found the course significantly easier to follow compared to the original video. Improved visuals helped with part recognition, and the interactive practice supported better understanding of the correct assembly sequence.
Key Takeaways
This project reinforced that SME content often needs instructional design to become effective. Improving visual clarity can dramatically impact comprehension, especially for procedural tasks. Most importantly, adding interactivity turns passive content into meaningful learning experiences.
By applying a structured instructional design process, I transformed a difficult-to-follow recording into a clear and engaging course that supports real-world performance.