In late 2017, as I began reflecting on past achievements and planning out my path for the future, I knew that I was looking for a professional growth opportunity. Through my social network, I learned about the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) credential through the ATD Certification Institute. I was seeking not only to prove my worth and be confident in my knowledge/experience as an Instructional Designer, but I also The Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) is broad based and measures a talent development professionals’ competency in 10 areas of expertise (AOEs) with a focus on global mindset as defined by the latest ATD Competency Model. My journey toward certification was approximately one year, although admittedly I wasn't studying continuously throughout the year. I passed the Knowledge Exam in June 2018 and the Skills Application Exam (Instructional Design) in November 2018. I'm fortunate to have passed both exams on my first attempt. And, while this may imply that I have some secret recipe for success, I assure you - I do not! I think it all boils down to knowing yourself as a student. Do you need a comprehensive study plan? Do you need to pace yourself slowly, or do you perform well when you essentially "cram" for a test? Would studying with a group be helpful, or do you prefer to study on your own? I utilized the CPLP Learning System as well as a few other resources shared by other candidates in the CPLP Candidate Prep group on LinkedIn. There is an extensive amount of material to cover, so pacing is important. It was beneficial for me to allow a week prior to examination to go back through the learning system to answer all of the quiz questions at the end of each chapter. Additionally, I used that time to take the practice test a couple times. I found this valuable for assessing and identifying any areas of focus. One of my favorite podcasts is "Why Not Now" with Amy Jo Martin, where the premise is "you know that thing you've been thinking about doing? ...why not now?" If you've been thinking about pursuing the CPLP credential from ATD, then ask yourself, "why not now?" (and if you need a few reasons to do that in 2019, read this!) Having just recently been introduced to a new design tool, Ceros, I've been eager to design my first "experience". One of my favorite playgrounds, to try out some new design ideas is the Articulate E-Learning Challenges. While I don't always have the time to participate weekly, the challenges are always open, so you can pick one that inspires you, and start designing. For the latest challenge, it's all about using the 2019 Pantone Color of the Year, Living Coral. This being my first design experience, I opted to start with a template to familiarize myself with the Ceros Studio content creation interface. It's actually quite intuitive, especially if you are already comfortable in the Adobe suite. Let me know what you think of my first project... http://view.ceros.com/insperity-learning-and-performance-coe/elh-214/p/1 https://360.articulate.com/review/content/db0eee0e-32a5-44fd-af50-4872f014aae0/review https://360.articulate.com/review/content/7490f641-09cb-434e-aadd-3bd0cb758ee4/review https://rise.articulate.com/share/4yEVasX8d-kQ7bC2oaakJnzZjohhMMLV
wanted something more comprehensive and linked to business and performance improvement to satisfy my professional needs and enrich my career.
The "progress meter" would be the progress screen if you click on the STAR icon on the start page. I wanted the state of Level One to change from Incomplete to Normal when Level One is complete, so I used a variable, going from False to True. However, it won't change to normal. I'll keep working to figure it out, but you can get the idea here anyway.
https://360.articulate.com/review/content/bf1cd92d-6768-46ed-a78a-d7ffb50f8f87/review
Admittedly, this design is not too out-of-the box; however, it did require a bit of customization, particularly on the results slide. I wanted it to closely resemble a baseball card, since that provides the stats on the player, and the results slide displays the user's quiz results. I'd need to spend a little more time programming the table on the back of the card, so that it aligns with the actually quiz results. For this challenge, I just displayed a static sample, to give the viewer the general idea. It may be nice to also program in a way for the user to print their "trading card", if you were going to use them for some type of motivation factor in the release of the course.
So, here's a look at the slides, which include the title slide, two quiz slides, two feedback slides (correct and incorrect), and a results slide. You view a live demo here.
Having just upgraded to Articulate 360, I wanted to explore using the features of Storyline 360 or Rise, to familiarize myself with these applications. I started a new course in Rise first, and couldn't immediately see options for much customization, so I decided to go with Storyline 360 instead. I have much more to learn in Rise, so I'll save that for another project and/or challenge.
I gathered some assets to use (backgrounds, textures, graphics, font, etc) and started a new project. I begin by editing the Master slide with the background and font I want to use in my layouts.
Next, I determined what layouts I wanted my slides to be (one of the challenge requirements was to include at least six slides). I chose to create slide layouts for Title, Objectives, Section Title, List Layout, Infographic, and Tabs Interaction.
For these challenges, it is only necessary to use placeholder images and text, which saves a great amount of time if you are creating something new. One great feature of Storyline 360 is the content library, which makes searching for and inserting assets (photos, characters, illustrations, etc.) quite simple. Another time-saver is to use the random text generator. If you are new to Storyline, or don't know this trick, it is easy to insert sample text by using the =rand(p,s) or =lorem(p,s) function, where p equals the number of paragraphs of sample text and s is the number of sentences in each paragraph of sample text. So then the formula =rand(3,4) would generate three paragraphs of sample text with 4 sentences in each.
Here is the design template I created:
Click here to view the live presentation.
Click here to download the Storyline template.
What I'm sharing for this challenge is an excerpt from the annual compliance training I created for our organization this year. In the past, we have had to create/update four separate courses and assign them to a learning path for each employee. Everything was very linear and locked-down, so the user didn't have much control at all. Additionally, we were not allowed to offer an advanced option, for those that may be familiar with the content from previous years. This year, I was given much more flexibility in the design, which was great news, since the content didn't change much. I wanted to make it at least LOOK new, haha!
First, I was able to combine all four courses into one, and apply a theme! Since we use resources from the eLearning Brothers library, I started my search there for an appropriate theme with lots of supporting resources. As an avid fitness junkie, I immediately gravitated to the cross-train resources and decided we would go with the training theme. Putting four courses into one, would require one level of branching, to allow the learner to select their "workout". Then, it would be necessary to track completion of all workouts, so the learner would not be able to get credit for only completing one part of the training.
Next, I was also given permission to allow an advanced route for three of the courses (or, workouts), so that added another level of branching. Once the learner decides what workout to do, they would then select their "fitness level" and that would branch them to either the content, or straight to the quiz. Here's a look at the branching for the course:
The custom menu for the course was a "workout log" from which the learner selects the workout they want to complete. I added triggers at the end of each workout scene on the results slide that would mark the workouts as completed once they return to the workout log. After all workouts were marked as complete, a link to the course acknowledgement appeared and the results of the course acknowledgement is what the LMS uses to mark the course as completed.
Progress is saved for the learners, so they are able to complete as much as they can in one setting, and return at any time to continue. As you can imagine, our employees were thrilled with the choices they were able to make in their learning path. Most employees that have been with the company would select the advance route and complete the training in a shorter amount of time than those that were new and selected the beginner route.
One additional level of branching that I added was "hints" to some quiz questions that would lightbox a content slide. That was pretty easy to do, and helped the learner not have to start from the beginning if they just needed a hint or two to advance.
We'll be continuing this way of designing and delivering our compliance training next year based on all of the positive feedback. The question for you is, what should the theme be?
I did this one in PowerPoint, since that was the medium used for the safety presentation. It's actually harder to do the gradient in PowerPoint than it is in Photoshop, so my preference is to layer the gradient mask in Ps and then bring it in to PowerPoint or Storyline as the background image. In PowerPoint, I did a linear gradient on a rectangle layer, adding a few stops and adjusting the transparency of each:
It looks decent but not nearly as smooth as in Photoshop. Here is a great tutorial on creating image fades by Destery & Mark:
I hope you are able to utilize this technique in your projects. Share your examples in the comments. 🙂
What is the Whole 30? Well check it out all the details for yourself at Whole30.com. Basically, it is a nutritional reset, eliminating the most common foods that have an undesirable impact on your health (or relationship with food). After 30 days without certain food groups, you slowly reintroduce them back into your diet, one at a time, to determine how they affect your life and your long-term health.
I did my first round of Whole 30 last year and it changed my life (how I feel, how I cook, meal-prep, etc.) for the better. This year, I decided to join the #SeptemberWhole30 challenge to be a part of the group challenge and benefit from all the support from the organizers and participants. You can see what I ate during my #SeptemberWhole30 on my Instagram account.
So, what's next? How is #lifeafterwhole30? Since I've done the slow-roll reintroduction on the last round, I already have insight into which food groups negatively affect my health. I've been thinking about what I may be missing in my diet throughout the 30 days and the only thing I've truly missed is my stevia drops! I don't see any reason to reintroduce anything I haven't really missed. Yet!
Another tool I have to evaluate my food choices is Melissa Hartwig's newest book, Food Freedom Forever, that was just released yesterday. I started reading it today and I can already see that it will offer great guidance for helping me stay in control of the foods I eat (and, therefore, how I feel).
Thinking of doing Whole 30? Let me know and I'll share my favorite tips and inspirations.
In Humble ISD, the district and Chamber of Commerce host BizCom meetings that attract high-influence stakeholders. Without these events, many stakeholders might never have a reason to step onto a campus. BizCom fosters favorable impressions of public schools, while serving the information and networking needs of the business community. BizCom also nurtures a small town, neighborly feel in Humble ISD although the district is fast-growth.
This weekend, I presented at the TASA/TASB Conference along with fellow board member, Robert Sitton, and Humble ISD Public Communications Director, Jamie Mount. Together, we shared tips for implementing powerful, community-building gatherings.
School District Provides Facilities
Hold meetings at each high school to give every high school exposure. For example, we alternative between four high schools which allows us to meet just about every month but rotating locations.
Additionally, each location has a different chair that is in charge of setting the agenda, securing sponsors, etc.
Partner with another organization to lead the meetings
We partner with our local chamber of commerce, which helps attract a new, more varied crowd than if the school district leads alone. The chamber sends communication to business members and posts on social media. Involving a partner expands the school district’s audience (pastors of local churches, realtors, non-profits) and does not place a lot of new work on school district staff; for example, the chamber handles online registration and at the door.
Meetings are more interesting with multiple interests in the room, which also helps generate ideas for future meetings. Attendees also get exposure to events/opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise hear about.
We share a common interest: everyone wants the community to be prosperous, safe, and caring.
Keep it fast-paced for busy people
Agenda set by chair of each BizCom group, not the school district. Meetings are one hour with a complimentary box lunch if an RSVP is made. Have appropriate signage placed at the campus to direct attendees where to park and enter the building. Schools can utilize student groups (student council, ROTC, etc.) to welcome guests.
Typically, there are about six presenters allotted around 7 minutes each, including questions. Therefore, it is importance to alway have a timekeeper to keep on schedule.
Example Topics
See for yourself what it's like to attend a BizCom...
At this year's TASA/TASB Convention for our state school board association in Houston, I had the pleasure of presenting "Recruiting, Inducting and Retaining the Next Generation of Educators" with classmates from my 2016 Leadership TASB class. Ours was selected from several groups in our class to be presented at convention.
As school board members, we are all faced with making decisions every day that are crucial to the success of the students we serve. In this session, we called participants to action on one of these critical areas and that is the future of our teaching force.
While the urgent need to fill teaching positions does create a labor crisis, it also presents an opportunity to transform K-12 education in America—by recruiting our nation’s brightest students to the profession. And that's just what this presentation was about - understanding the characteristics of GenZ students and thinking differently about how we recruit, induct and retain the next generation into the education profession. 
You can view the entire presentation here or by clicking on the slide below. The presentation was the result of our group's research throughout the year-long leadership program.
Given that we had the opening day 7:30AM time slot, I was quite pleased with the crowd in attendance. I think we are all eager to find new ways of attracting great talent into our classrooms and competing with our neighboring districts. Ideally, we wanted to produce a resolution or legislative recommendation that we could all get behind as board members. With over 1,200 public school districts in Texas, we could be quite influential if we all came together as one voice.
One of the best things we can do as districts is to try and "grow our own" teachers. This article points to two driving statistics: 34 percent of new teachers nationwide are hired for their first jobs by the school districts where they attended high school, and 84 percent of teachers get their first teaching jobs within 40 miles of their hometowns!
So, it’s important to develop programs within districts for aspiring teachers in high schools to learn about education, join clubs, and offer them incentives to come back to their hometowns to teach.
Without enough individuals committing themselves to educating our nation's children, we are certainly staring down a crisis in the education profession.
You can download the template here.
While working with a client on a product demonstration course, they mentioned sending a "coming soon" type of email to the intended audience for the training to start to generate some excitement about the new product they will be using to create their essential report.
I mentioned using a brief video to accomplish the same purpose. It will get more views than reading a lengthy email and the music and colors will make it more fun and exciting so they will anticipate the launch of the new tool. The client agreed to let me mock up a quick sample.
I chose PowToon because they have quick and easy templates to start with. In less than 30 minutes, I had the full promo video ready to share. With only a couple tweaks, the video was approved. I continue to get emails about how well the video was received. Some departments have even signed up for accounts of their own! 🙂
How do you use PowToon?
Well it just happens that I did a mock-up a couple weeks ago for a client when proposing a few design options for a course on HR Fundamentals. So, I published my sample and posted my submission to the E-Learning Challenge #11 so I can get feedback from others. I remember reviewing some of the submissions by others when I was thinking of the comic layout as an option for this course design. If you haven't taken a look yet at the submissions, head on over there and you'll be inspired like I was.
I designed few intro slides for content on the role of a Supervisor and then I present a "menu" of scenarios that a supervisor would encounter. I mocked up the Hiring Practices scenario for the SME to look at. Take a look and let me know what you think (click the image to launch the demo)...
#hourofcode
Yesterday, I had the privilege to join a 5th grade class at Pine Forest Elementary during their "Hour of Code". During computer specials time with teacher Sharon Diaz, students are given an introduction to programming to demystify computer science and show that anyone can learn the basics.
The Hour of Code is organized by code.org to make computer science more accessible in schools.
U.S. Economy and Job Growth
According to stats from code.org, Computer Science is a top paying college degree and computer programming jobs are growing at 2x the national average!
Removing Barriers
Currently in half of the states in the country, computer science doesn't count for math and science graduation requirements, but rather as an elective. Texas does allow CS to satisfy graduation requirements for math or science, but we need to do more to raise awareness and develop the interest of students in the early years. I think the Hour of Code is a great start and something that we can build on each year.
Tynker
During my hour with these students, Ms. Diaz had us use the online tool, Tynker to first go on a Candy Quest (to learn some basics like simple commands, loops, and if/then statements). We then created animated cards by dragging and dropping blocks of "code" into a sequence and playing the result.
Of course, the students were eager to get to their computers and start "coding". I enjoyed watching how each student tackled the same task a little differently, but ultimately coming to the same result for the Candy Quest. There were certainly no complaints and no-one was "off-task" during the hour.
I'm certain this hour of code accomplished it's purpose and I look forward to seeing how we offer more opportunities for students to do a little more "tynker"-ing!
Did you participate in the Hour of Code?
I am a wife
Troy and I are happily married and love spending our time fishing (and camping) together. We are both working full time, but definitely "practicing" for retirement.
I am a mother (and step-mom)
Before I had kids of my own, I got to practice my motherly instincts with two wonderful step-children, who are now both grown (and employed)! My 18-year-old daughter is now a freshman at the University of Texas and my 16-year-old son is a junior at Kingwood High School.
I am a GiGi
Not only do I have two gorgeous grandchildren from my step-daughter, but my husband brings six grand-children to our marriage! I could create a blog dedicated specifically to these adventures.
I am a Trustee
I am currently serving as Parliamentarian on the Humble Independent School District Board of Trustees. This is my first term on the board and I chair the Technology & Data Governance Committee and sit on the Audit Committee and Superintendent Evaluation Committee.
So, that's about it for me. Tell me,... who the hell are YOU?