eSTEMequity.com is a website promoting the persistence of ethnic and racial minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, education. The site is the home of a STEM peer mentoring program led by Dr. Amanda Rockinson-Szapkiw. I served as Lead eDeveloper for an online mentor/mentee training program, designing eight e-Learning modules using Articulate Rise, Storyline, and Vyond.
To build mentoring competencies and mentor and mentee confidence, the eLearning course learners needed to see characters like them completing often very challenging mentoring tasks. I used Vyond.com's animated video tools to allow learners to observe mentoring skills and behaviors in action. I created and voiced the example case video above.
Learners also needed the opportunity to actively apply the skills in a risk-free environment. I combined animated videos with Articulate Storyline to present cases with multiple possible responses to mentor/mentee dilemmas. Learners used their module knowledge to choose the correct response.
The module design was guided by the Theory of Self-Efficacy. Learning elements were aligned with his four sources of self-efficacy. I wrote and implemented a usability test protocol with ethnic and racial minority women in STEM fields.
"I think it [video] would help you envision yourself as a STEM professional. And so, it may help you develop that identity, let me see, assist you in developing self-efficacy and self-regulation. This is funny. It makes you feel happy about being a woman."
- Usability Study Participant