Discover Datasheet Results Report

My project is the redesign of the elearning facilitation workshop. The plan is to set new objectives for the course and revamp the content to meet those objectives.

Using the Discover Datasheet and conducting the empathy research led me to discover a possible reason behind one of the major issues in the course - the lack of interaction between learners.

Below is my original datasheet and the report that was given to my client.

Facilitating the Discover Step - Lessons Learned

I applied the Discover step to the current elearning facilitaton workshop in order to collect data over the content alignment, the goals of the course, and the learner experience. There are revisions being made currently so the datasheets were incredibly useful to look at everything in a different manner and really pinpoint where changes need to occur.

I have the added benefit of seeing feedback from my learners in this environment. I looked at their comments and was able to use the datasheet and apply it from the student view. There are many things that can be enhanced in the course from both the design side and the facilitation side.

I really like the datasheet as it gives me a guiding lens to look at the course. It reminds me of the "brain dump" I use daily in that I'm able to write down everything I see but it has the added benefit of categorizing those items at the same time.

Lessons Learned - feedback is invaluable. Without my learner feedback, it may have been more difficult to really gain that student perspective. I have facilitated the course for several months and I feel at times that I'm too close to the content to look objectively at it.

Preliminary Empathy Research

I was able to fill out several discover datasheets while observing the elearning facilitation workshop. There were two in particular that I included at the bottom. 

What did you learn from completing the Discover Datasheet?

• I've received feedback from learners over some items in the course, so I was aware of those. However, I was able to take a more critical look at the content and environment in general when using the datasheet as a lens. I asked myself if there were any problems, needs, or goals in each module.

What surprised you?

• I'm very familiar with the course so I wasn't too surprised with any of my findings except the technology requirements need.

What surprised your client?

• My client wasn't really surprised with any of the findings since they participated as a student.

Identifying a Learning Environment to Apply LEDx

The project I've chosen is the redesign of the elearning facilitation workshop.

I've selected this project because the facilitation workshop is the first experience of elearning that most instructors have. This is an important foundation in teaching online as well as designing online courses.

The workshop covers communication practices, managing content, feedback & assessments, engagement, and practical applications.

The LEDx framework will be very useful in aligning the  content and helping us define our goal for facilitation. Also, the empathy research will be instrumental in helping us look at the course from the learners' perspective.

Client Empathy Discover Datasheet

For this assignment, I observed my colleague, Brett. His office is right next to mine so I talk with him daily. Though I typically see his office everyday, it was interesting to view it from a different perspective. His office is always clean and tidy. What I like about the office is that it's professional yet comfortable. There is art decorating the walls as well as family photos. He is a huge Dr. Who fan and there are a few Dr. Who items in his office that I've never noticed before until now.

Brett has created a space that is his own and shows off his personality but remains very professional.

Empathy Research with Discover Datasheets

For this assignment, I did my empathy research over the elearning facilitation workshop for faculty. I observed the most recently taught course. There were multiple instances of learner feedback and I was able to observe and document a problem in the learning environment. My Discover Datasheet is below.

I was actually surprised that this discussion policy would be an issue with the learners as most instructors I work with have this same policy in their courses. I understand the reasoning behind this policy from the faculty side but it was interesting to see their perspectives as students and how the two differ. It would be interesting to see if these instructors implement this requirement in their courses and what the outcome would be.