What’s one instance where you’ve had to overhaul an existing e-learning program and what prompted the change?

I founded the first Graphic Design program at our university in 2006, updating it in 2008 and again in 2013, when I split it into Foundational and Advanced Graphic Design programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our university department underwent dramatic changes, necessitating the redevelopment of several programs. My focus was the Digital Marketing program. A colleague and in-house instructional designers developed the new Graphic Design and Visual Communications program, but upon teaching two sections, I noticed structural and contextual concerns. Specifically, the program lacked a workflow component and a capstone practicum. I reworked this updated version of the Graphic Design program to emulate a real graphic design project workflow. The program now includes theory and practice sections and covers Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Instead of teaching these as separate units, I integrated them into one comprehensive project. With my update, students developed a brand for a real-world client, including the logo, brand content, and a finished style guide. They progressed through learning modules that emulated the workflow of a real graphic design project, from concept to digital and print production-ready. Their final assignments included versions of the logo, final brand content assets, and a completed graphic identity style guide. The results were significant: students created a professional-level body of brand work and a case study of their project, which they can now add to their portfolios. This overhaul not only improved the program but also better prepared students for real-world challenges. Already, I have seen the difference with graduates just after a few months. One started her own design business and has a full load of new clients. One is pursuing graduate study in design. Others have found design roles in the field.

Overhauling an existing e-learning program could be an impactful decision for one of the following reasons: 1) Quality - Often initial courses are built with intent to go up asap but overlook effective learning practices. Correspondence to best practices in a rubric could require an overhaul. 2) Feedback - Surveys and requests for feedback inform, "Are the learners achieving the learning they need to be?" Feedback items can suggest the need for an overhaul. 3) Innovation - Finally, an organization may want a cleaner LMS system to upload content into or switch to a different one for efficacy / pricing.

One instance where we had to overhaul our existing e-learning program was when we noticed a significant drop in engagement and course completion rates. The program had been designed several years ago, and as technology and learner expectations evolved, it became clear that it was no longer meeting our audience’s needs. We decided to revamp the program by incorporating more interactive elements, such as quizzes and discussion forums, to make the learning experience more engaging. We also updated the content to reflect the latest industry trends and best practices, and streamlined the user interface to be more intuitive. The change was prompted by feedback from users who felt the old program was outdated and didn’t cater to different learning styles. The result was a much more dynamic and engaging learning environment, with increased user satisfaction and higher completion rates. This overhaul not only addressed the immediate concerns but also set the stage for a more responsive and adaptable e-learning program in the future.