Time Management Strategies course

Project Overview

Audience: Employees at a mid-sized company called Jax Accounting

Responsibilities: Instructional Design, eLearning Development, Needs Analysis, curriculum mapping, visual & graphic design

Tools Used: Canvas LMS, Piktochart, Canva, Animaker (video-making platform), YouTube, Google Suite

For more information and for work samples, continue through the rest of this page.

Project Background

The Problem

This Time Management Strategies course was designed for a fictional, mid-sized company called Jax Accounting, who provides clients with accounting, tax, and financial services. Jax Accounting’s management requested this training for two reasons: 1. The Accounting team has experienced an increased workload over the past year, and 2. The teams at Jax tend to be fairly tight-knit and spend part of their day community-building and chatting. While management is glad that business has picked up and their teams enjoy working together, they’d like to improve productivity and morale. They’ve requested a training on Time Management from the company’s Learning & Development team.

The Solution

The Learning & Development team will design a self-paced, asynchronous training in Canvas LMS to address the topic, titled Time Management Strategies. It will contain five mini-modules, each on a different time management strategy that learners can understand and apply quickly to their daily lives. Though the training is self-paced, there will be opportunities for discussion and interaction, as well as mini-assignments to practice the content. At the end of the allotted eight weeks, there will be a post-course session in the office, where learners can share their reflections and takeaways and provide feedback on the course.

Design Process

I created this course using a combination of the ADDIE model (for structure and guidance), Bloom’s Taxonomy (to create measurable learning objectives and assessments), and Merrill’s Principles of Instruction (to guide learners toward problem-centered learning and application).

To support the ADDIE process, I used the following tools:

  • Design Document: I wrote a detailed Design Document to compile the Needs Analysis, learning objectives, assessments, curriculum map, and evaluation plan.

  • Outlines & Prototypes: I created a module outline and module and page prototypes in Canvas to ensure consistent design and navigation for learners.

  • Supporting Materials: I designed infographics, a video, discussion boards, and mini-assignments to support and illustrate the content.

  • Evaluation: I used Google Forms and Sheets to create a simple pre- and post-course survey to gather and assess learner feedback.

Here’s more information on my design process:

  • Research: I began by researching time management strategies, using online resources and my own experiences. I chose five practical strategies that could be useful for working adults and that have helped me in the past. I constructed a broad course outline.

  • Learning Objectives: I then used Bloom’s Taxonomy to write measurable learning objectives. I designed them for adult learners, choosing relatable goals with a clear “why” for the learning.

  • Module Outline: I constructed a module outline and prototype to promote consistency within the course. This included sections for an introduction, learning materials, and assessments. I wanted a clear roadmap for learners to follow.

  • Assessments: With the foundation in place, I designed the modules themselves. Using Backward Design principles and a variety of activities, I created a measurable assessment for each module first.

  • Module Design: Lastly, I added the supporting learning materials and resources, the content of the course, using chunking of information. The end result is a practical, hands-on course for working professionals.

Course Work Samples

Module Main Page

Purpose: Create easy course navigation and provide a consistent outline for learners throughout the course.

Video: 5 Ways to Improve Focus
Purpose: To provide a simple list of strategies for improving focus, and to provide instruction with varied formats.

This video is part of Module 4: Focus and was created on the platform Animaker.

Module Content pages
Purpose: Provide concise, practical information on time management strategies. Provide optional resources for further learning outside of the course.

Module Assessment pages
Purpose: Help learners practice, apply, and reflect on the time management strategies learned. Provide design team and instructors with assessment data and formative feedback on how the course is going.

Module Overview page
Purpose: Introduce learning goals and assignments, giving learners a “why” and an outline of what to expect.

Reflection

This course was a delight to design in Canvas LMS. I learned how to create and embed content, media, and assignments. I utilized the tools available in Canvas to ensure that all materials are accessible and have appropriate formatting and alt text captions. I look forward to diving even deeper into Canvas's features in the future.

Instructionally, this course helped me apply best practices for adult learners. The five modules are bite-sized and organized. The assignments allow for some flexibility and learner choice. It was designed with a few best practices in mind: applying the experiential/practical element of adult learning theory, Backward Design, writing clear learning objectives, and chunking information.

Creating these modules helped me practice how to write more concisely, boil a concept down to its essence, and create practical activities. I also worked on quiz writing and survey writing, with a focus on well-constructed multiple choice questions, assessing higher-order thinking, and writing meaningful survey questions for learners at the end of a course. Designing this course was an informative learning experience!