In 2014 we developed a 4 hour training on Monitoring and Evaluation, using Articulate Storyline 2. Anouk Janssens-Bevernage was both lead consultant and instructional designer on this project, supported by our team of developers and voice talents. The module was first developed in English and then translated into French and Spanish. Other language versions may follow.
As always we made sure training is focused on ‘doing’ and decision making, instead of ‘talking about’ the subject. In this case we completely unpacked the process of monitoring and evaluation in one of IFRC’s programmes in Uganda and used this throughout the 4-hour module. The real life story was somewhat adapted to fit training purposes.
We worked hard at developing the tools with real information and incorporating these in the decision making processes in the exercises. The learners don’t sit back and read about monitoring and evaluation; instead they are fully engaged in the actions that are typical of this role.
We designed the module around a team of 2 ‘presenters’ and a team of 3 main characters based in Uganda and Kenya, to reflect the reality of such projects. In the story additional characters based in other regions are called in (via Skype) to provide additional advice.
The training is accessible on most devices, except mobile phones. The team agreed that it would be a highly frustrating experience to do an M&E training (as well as M&E tasks in general) on such small screens. Responsive design (making e-learning accessible on any size screen) would have meant the development of a presentation about M&E, not training. We agreed that it was more important to reflect reality and provide a real life environment, i.e. larger screen training, than giving the possibility to learners to access the training on their smart phones. The following blog post explains further why fully responsive design was not an option for this training: Not all e-learning has to be responsive.
Here are a couple of screenshots…
Stephen Wainwright (Senior monitoring and evaluation officer at IFRC and subject matter expert for this project) kindly wrote the following recommendation:
I cannot imagine working with a more professional, high-calibre and fun eLearning expert than Anouk.
We hired DynaMind to create for us a long and complex e-learning course on monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian and development programmes for the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Working with Anouk for eight months on this project was delightful, invigorating, engaging – and fun! Anouk was full of ideas and ways to bring this complex topic to life and create a most engaging 4-hour course that has been extremely well reviewed. The development process was necessarily long and complex, but through the whole development, Anouk guided us quickly and with great attention to detail to ensure that the final product was delivered in good time and was of excellent quality. Anouk’s own extensive professional experience in international development work was a particular advantage in knowing the professional culture of the audience for this training.
I’m therefore very happy to highly recommend DynaMind for the development and creation of e-learning courses, particularly for the development / humanitarian sector, but also for any area.
Their e-workshops are also an extremely valuable way to learn how to moderate online learning!
Stephen Wainwright, Senior monitoring and evaluation officer, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
