Introduction to Adobe Activate
This eLearning module is focusing on the basics of using Adobe Captivate. The main goal of the module is to prepare the learners to create their own published module.
Audience: Instructional Designers & adult learners interested in eLearning world
Responsibilities: Instructional Design, Learning Objectives, Applying Bloom’s Taxonomy, Learning Activities, Assessment & Rubric, MOL (meaningful online learning) Framework, eLearning Development, UX Design (intuitive navigation and learner engagement), Video Recording
Tools Used: Google doc, Google sites, Canva, OBS, Padlet, Youtube
The Problem
Many of my friends, when starting their careers in instructional design, expressed frustration with learning complex authoring tools like Adobe Captivate. Despite having strong educational backgrounds, they often lacked the technical skills needed to confidently create interactive eLearning content.
Without clear, beginner-friendly resources, the learning curve felt steep and discouraging. I wanted to help them close this gap and make the learning process more approachable and encouraging.
The Solution
To address this challenge, I designed an eLearning module that supports instructional designers in developing their skills while actively engaging with the content. As the subject matter expert for this project, I created a hands-on learning experience where users apply what they learn by creating and publishing their own module as a final assessment.
This learn-by-doing approach encourages deeper understanding and skill retention. Additionally, learners have the flexibility to revisit the instructional content and checkpoints as often as needed, allowing them to review concepts, correct mistakes, and reinforce their learning at their own pace.
My Process
I designed and developed this project by first conducting a needs analysis to understand the learners’ goals and challenges. From there, I wrote clear learning objectives, developed aligned assessments, and designed engaging learning activities.
Next I created a prototype to test the overall structure and flow, followed by the full development of the eLearning experience. This was an iterative and collaborative process, where I gathered feedback, made adjustments, and implemented improvements along the way.
Learning Objectives
After conducting a needs assessment, I developed clear learning objectives aligned with the "Create" level of Bloom’s Taxonomy to encourage higher-order thinking and support deeper learning retention. The ultimate goal of the module is for learners to create and publish their own eLearning module, applying the skills they've acquired throughout the course.
Assessment
Once I had the learning objectives in place, I designed an assessment that aligned with the higher-order thinking skills outlined in Bloom’s Taxonomy. To support a fair and transparent evaluation process, I also created a detailed rubric so learners would clearly understand the expectations and how their work would be assessed.
Learning Activities
The infographic is a supportive strategy that gives learners a basic understanding of what this learning module will cover and what they will be able to achieve at the end.
Readings from the Captivate Reference Document provide further scaffolding and offer learners an overview and step-by-step description on how to leverage tools within Adobe Captivate.
Next, learners are prompted to watch video tutorials that model and explain the behavior they must follow to create their own module.
Throughout the module, there are checkpoints that provide learners the opportunity to test their knowledge and reflect on their progress.
Afterward, I created step-by-step video guides to model and explain how to add interaction into the learner’s modules.
Following the videos, I make use of exploratory strategies by having the learners create their own drag and drop activity based on the topic they selected for their final assessment.
At the end of the module, learners create a concept map to articulate what they learned throughout the module by leveraging a knowledge representation tool.
Finally, I assess the learners by requiring them to create their own module using Adobe Captivate, which directly aligns with the primary objective.
Results
One of the strengths of the Module is that it encompasses all elements of MOL(meaningful online learning). Through various activities, the module provides learners with an authentic, constructive, active, intentional, and cooperative learning experience.
Learners in the instructional design will encounter this software and potentially be required to use it to create modules. Therefore I made sure learners receive authentic and meaningful instruction. Each section of this module relies on what was learned during previous sections. The module slowly introduces information and techniques to help learners construct their knowledge to help them create their own module in Adobe Captivate. Learners are encouraged to follow alongside the module and create their own Adobe Captivate module and actively learn.
By using Adobe Captivate themselves, they are directly engaging with the subject material. Learners will pick their own topic to create the final module, making their learning intentional since they will be working toward fulfilling a personal goal.
After learners create their modules, they are able to upload their final product to a Padlet. In this cooperative space, other learners are able to like and comment on posts and provide additional feedback.Additionally, there are checkpoints that give learners the chance to assess their knowledge and reflect on their progress.
Takeaways
At the end of the module, I provided a collaborative space in the form of a Padlet for learners to upload their final projects, share comments, and provide feedback. However, looking back, I realize that I could have provided similar opportunities for collaboration throughout the module, so that learners could receive early feedback from their peers and incorporate it into their final projects.