Personal History Workshop
Project Summary
This project responds to a need identified by subject matter experts: patrons wanted to tell their stories but lacked inspiration or direction. I created a flexible, discussion-driven e-learning experience that helps learners explore creative approaches to personal history and evaluate ideas that are meaningful to them.
Learning Solutions
Subject matter experts at the Family History Center identified that many patrons wanted to document their personal histories but felt uninspired by traditional formats. To address this, I designed an asynchronous course that guides learners in exploring creative, culturally relevant approaches to personal storytelling. The goal is to help learners evaluate new project ideas and select the best fit for their interests. By the end of the course, learners reflect on their evolving perspectives, generate and assess two personalized project concepts, and engage in meaningful peer discussion to support and refine their thinking.
Click to enlarge the example images below.
An interactive Storyline activity was created to help learners explore creative options. Branching scenarios were used to allow a choose-your-own-adventure style experience. Learners control which ideas they’re interested in learning more about, and can explore them in any order. By providing differentiation and autonomy in the learning experience, we’re able to better meet the diverse needs of the workshop participants. Frequent invitations to reflect and write down ideas provide an opportunity to self-reflect and evaluate.
I created and embedded an introduction video that can be viewed directly in the lesson. Using the voice cloning feature at Eleven Labs, I created a custom narrator for this video that can be used in future videos as they are added. This ensures consistency throughout the learning experience. Closed captioning was added for those with difficulty hearing.
The resources section of the menu contains a long list of possible projects. Using the visual organization tools in Canvas LMS, the lists are categorized to make them easy to navigate.
The discussion board includes instructions with a screenshot guiding students who wish to respond via voice or video recording rather than typing.
Elevate Learning
To promote deeper engagement and growth, I structured this experience around self-reflection and authentic, collaborative discussion using the Canvas LMS discussion boards. Learners begin by examining their current views, then engage with real examples that challenge and expand their thinking. By the end, they have not only developed and evaluated two creative project ideas but also supported and learned from peers in the process.
Ensure Access
Accessibility and flexibility were priorities in this design. I incorporated Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, offering multiple ways to engage with content and communicate, whether through written or video responses. Participation is asynchronous, allowing learners with varying schedules and responsibilities to fully engage in a way that works for them.
Support Mastery
Rather than assessing idea quality, I designed a rubric that emphasizes meaningful participation and completion of each reflection step. Learners are encouraged to express their creativity without fear of being judged, and are supported with clear guidelines, feedback, and optional resubmissions. The focus is on growth, reflection, and practical application.
Clarify Content
To ensure clarity, I collaborated with the subject matter experts on discussion guidelines, diverse examples of creative personal histories, and accessible instructional materials in video, text, and image formats. Instructors were guided to create a welcoming discussion board environment by setting expectations for respectful communication and modeling positive peer interaction, helping learners feel safe and confident in sharing.