Dealing with Dialects eLearning Simulation
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This scenario-based eLearning simulation helps teachers make decisions about language teaching in the classroom in an equitable and inclusive manner.
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Audience: teachers in training and professional development for teachers
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Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Visual Design, Storyboarding
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Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, MindMeister, Audacity, Google Suite
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The Problem
Teachers in a large, diverse school district struggled to address language variation in the classroom, where students used different accents, dialects, and grammar. Despite being told to be equitable and inclusive, teachers lacked practical strategies for handling these differences, resulting in inconsistent responses, low student participation, and poor grades.
The Solution
I developed a scenario-based eLearning simulation to help teachers make decisions on how to manage language variation inclusively and equitably. The simulation was designed to engage teachers interactively, enabling them to practice responding to various language scenarios in a risk-free, classroom-like environment. It also allowed for group discussions, enhancing understanding of how to build student confidence, meet curriculum standards, and ensure equity.
Development Process
Using the ADDIE model, I began with a needs analysis and action mapping to define the key issues: inconsistent responses to slang, accent, and grammar differences. I worked with SMEs to create a storyboard that emphasized real-world decisions. The visual design was minimalistic to ensure the focus remained on the learning content, avoiding distractions. Through iterative development, feedback was incorporated, ensuring accessibility and usability across devices.
Results
Though it was a concept project, feedback from colleagues was overwhelmingly positive, including an invitation to present at a conference. If implemented in a school district, results would be measured through teacher and student observations and interviews. The project deepened my understanding of the importance of thorough planning, adaptability, and focusing on core goals to create meaningful learning experiences.
A Visualization of the Development Process
Starting with a measurable outcome, the Action Map revealed three key behaviors to focus on in the learning solution. Click on the image to for an image description.
After determining the goals, I created a storyboard using Google Docs. Click on the images for image descriptions of each.
Once the storyboard was completed, I developed a style guide and high-fidelity mockups and a prototype in Figma. Click on the images for image descriptions.
