This website design was created in collaboration with one subject-matter expert (an experienced stretching certified professional), as well as other experienced instructional design practicioners/instructors. The context for this instruction was an office environment, particularly the offices used in campus buildings such as Indiana University. This environment will typically have a lot of technical equipment, desks, chairs, tables, and sometimes very little space. Usually, a computer with an internet connection is accessible at any of these offices across the campus.
The learner-analysis revealed that employees may or may not be motivated to learn and perform stretches in their office. There is certainly no requirement for IU employees to perform daily stretches (such as companies that require their employees to participate in employee fitness classes at large Japanese corporations), but IU employees also may not be informed of the health benefits of even basic stretching techniques. This audience may also simply be looking for a few specific exercises, rather than many of the exercises available in a formal class. The need is for healthy IU office employees.
Office culture, Context, People, Time, Technology, Learner/User Environment.
Create an instructional website (as opposed to only an informational one) that will teach learners basic stretching techniques for use in an office environment.
This instruction is intended specifically for office employees and generally for Indiana University Office employees. Both of these employees can be categorized as adult learners who often perform in a wide range of occupations and professions, but often perform their work in a very similar setting—the office workplace.
1. Without the use of reference materials, the learners will be able to categorize stretching postures into different groups depending on the muscle that is being exercised. This objective reaches Bloom’s cognitive level of applying.
2. Without the use of reference materials, the learners will be able to recall the basic techniques of each stretch. This objective reaches Bloom’s cognitive level of remembering.
3. The learners will be able to select the stretching postures that will aid/benefit each stated muscular ailment. This objective reaches Bloom’s cognitive level of judgment/analysis.
Usability testing with this prototype happened after the first draft of the site was finished, which was a high-fidelity prototype. Although this isn't my usual practice, I wanted to see how people would react to the videos with audio narration, which was the backbone to the instruction and guidance of this site. One thing the end product was lacking was a deeper explanation of why the stretching would be beneficial. There was an emphasis on learning through practice in this design, however, since most learners were stretching novices anyway. Finding and adding more depth to explanations as to why certain stretches are beneficial would be the next step in a reiteration of this site. |
