Scenario-based eLearning: Avalanche Awareness
Overview
Users make choices regarding preparations for their adventure, terrain selection, and potentially hazardous travel.
This Avalanche Awareness project is a concept project for the American Institute for Avalanche Research (AAIRE), a non-profit organization that was established to create a research-based model for back-country users with the belief that avalanche education, research, and training can prevent avalanche injuries and fatalities.
Audience: New and experienced winter backcountry users
Responsibilities: Instructional Design, Action Mapping (Needs Analysis), Script Writing, Visual Design, and eLearning Development
Tools Used: Articulate Storyline 360, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, Vyond, Miro, and Canva Pro
The Problem and the Solution
Over the last 10 winters, an average of 25 people died in avalanches every year in the United States. Worldwide, each year avalanches kill more than 150 people. In 90% of avalanche accidents, the victim or someone in the victim's party causes the snow slide.
AAIRE needed help identifying innovative ways to encourage new users of the backcountry to prepare for their trips and to assess risks.
I proposed an analysis of the most common mistakes in the winter backcountry, followed by implementing a scenario-based eLearning experience. This type of experience would allow users to make real-world decisions across the course of a typical day in the winter backcountry and to see the consequences of their decisions in a low-risk environment.
The winter backcountry is complex. Before you know there’s a hazard, you're already in a life-or-death scenario. Practicing these skills in a safe eLearning experience is ideal.
My goal was for the experience to feel as real and immersive as possible. To achieve this, I applied the story-based learning model that is based on the idea that the human brain is hardwired to learn through stories.
Will you and your friends survive a day in the winter backcountry?
My Process
Creating this project required multiple stages with constant analysis and iteration. Using feedback and ongoing user testing, I was able to deliver a polished final product.
The process entailed working with a SME, creating an action map, writing a text-based storyboard, designing visual mockups, developing an interactive prototype, and, finally, developing the final product.
Action Map
First, I met with a professional backcountry guide, who acted as the SME throughout the project. Together, we identified the organization’s goal and this became the focus for the eLearning simulation.
Next, I conducted several informational interviews to understand the most common mistakes in the winter backcountry and what consequences those mistakes could cause. With this information, I used Miro to develop an action map.
We focused on the actions people need to take in the backcountry to increase their chances of a safe adventure experience. Identifying these high-priority actions helped me create an immersive eLearning experience designed to change people’s behavior.
Text-based Storyboard
Ultimately, I wanted to immerse users in the scenario and allow them to experience either success or the consequences depending on their decisions. I created a text-based storyboard to serve as the roadmap for the entire project. An avalanche expert mentor character guides the learners through the experience and provides information as needed to support decision making.
According to Mayer’s Principles of Multimedia Learning and his personalization principle, people learn more when words are in a conversational style rather than a formal style, so I applied a conversational tone throughout the project. Additionally, I incorporated Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction.
Visual Mockups
For project inspiration, I created a mood board in Adobe XD that included a broad range of winter wilderness images. This mood board helped me envision the colors and style that would work well for this particular winter adventure storyboard.
In addition to the mood board, I created an avalanche awareness style guide, so I could experiment with various options for buttons, padding, colors, and ultimately, to create a consistent product.
I designed the characters in Vyond paying special attention to facial expressions and poses. While creating the visual mockups, I focused on several key design principles including contrast, alignment, balance, and repetition.
Creating first the wireframes, and then the visual design, in Adobe XD saved a significant amount of time because I was able to quickly customize the design to the client’s preference. I used Adobe Illustrator to manipulate various assets such as character props and equipment. Additionally, in Illustrator, I created the custom mentor button.
Interactive Prototype
Before moving onto the development stage, I collected feedback on the initial interactions and functionality. This process required multiple iterations to perfect it before moving onto the full build.
The Articulate Storyline 360 prototype included everything from the title slide through the first question. Through testing and feedback, I made minor adjustments to the user interface with buttons, states, and functionality.
Full Development
After collecting and applying feedback from the prototype, it was time to develop the full product in Articulate Storyline 360.
The most complex interaction to build was the backpack and gear scene. I wanted to make users feel as if they are packing their own backpack for their winter adventure.
There are 10 items going into the backpack while the transceiver needs to move to the exterior of the backpack. I had to ensure that no matter which sequence users choose to put the items in the backpack that it would have the same end result in terms of timing and jumping to the next layer.
To solve this, I created two variables: “Are_Clicks_Complete” and “Is_Transceiver_Packed” so that I could program the timing correctly. Additionally, by using the “when objects intersect” trigger, I was able to perfect the timing and ensure that the scene would not jump to the next layer too soon.
In order to bring the consequence to life and enhance the experience, I included audio and a fade to black when the consequence resulted in being buried by an avalanche.
Results and Takeaways
As a result of this project, many users will have additional time practicing what they need to do in dangerous avalanche prone areas. Although I am pleased with the finished product, if I had more time and resources, I would have liked to include more avalanche and character animation.
The future of eLearning is in creating real world immersive experiences, which allow people to experience and practice in virtual environments.