Crafts Meaningful & Motivational Experiences
Michele Milan
“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.”
This quote represents the driving force that moved me from the counseling field, working with homeless youth, to education 25 years ago.
This is the reason I am passionate about instructional design because it allows me to combine over 20 years of experience in education with my love for crafting engaging and relevant learning experiences that have the power to stay with people long after the training ends.
My goal as an instructional designer is to craft meaningful and motivational learning experiences that not only support learners at the moment but empower them for the future-honoring the idea that education isn’t just informational, but a powerful tool for transformation.
Featured project
Background
For a short stint, while figuring out my next career move, I worked at an outdoor store. One unexpected perk? I got the chance to be trained on what seemed to be Articulate Storyline—and I found it surprisingly inspiring!
While working as a Point-of-Sale associate, I noticed that customer returns weren’t always handled consistently across the team. After learning (the hard way) from my own mistakes—like accepting returns I shouldn’t have—I decided to tackle the issue head-on.
I created a training in Articulate Rise and a job aid/cheat sheet in Canva to help streamline the return process and ensure consistency. Though it was a small project, it truly ignited my passion for instructional design. I’d love for you to take a look
The Nitty Gritty
Audience: employees at outdoor store, I renamed it Terra Trek Supplies
Purpose/goal: To decrease improper returns and financial loss.
Objectives:
Determine when the return policy applies.
Identify what a proper return is to ensure customer satisfaction.
Apply the exceptions to the return policy to reduce financial loss
Format: e-learning
Tools used: Google docs, Articulate Rise, Canva
Storyboard
I used Gagne’s 9 Events to create a storyboard in Google Docs and applied Bloom’s Taxonomy to develop three learning objectives. After reviewing it with the store manager at the outdoor store, she confirmed that accepting returns outside the return policy contributes to financial losses. What I found especially interesting was that there was no way to measure whether the training helped reduce these losses. There was no system in place to track where returned items ended up—whether in the Re/Supply area, on the sales floor, or discarded.
Return Policy Training Course
Designed the job aid in Canva.
Created a catchy mnemonic to help staff remember the return policy.
Carefully selected the words to make the mnemonic playful and memorable.
Job Aid/Cheat Sheet
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I believe that both ADDIE and SAM models play essential roles in creating meaningful and effective learning experiences.
ADDIE provides the big picture framework, ensuring long-term instructional depth, alignment, and variety. It offers a structured approach that supports thoughtful planning and intentional design. I often use ADDIE when developing comprehensive training programs—like the one I recently created—where I aim to build a cohesive and layered learning journey. I refer to this as the "texture of learning"—a dynamic quality that emerges when intentional design is woven throughout a curriculum.
On the other hand, SAM is iterative and adaptive, allowing for rapid prototyping, ongoing feedback, and real-time improvements. I regularly incorporate SAM principles into my work, using it to refine lessons and training materials based on user input and performance data. This approach helps me remain responsive and learner-centered, enhancing the overall experience through continuous improvement.
Together, these models support my belief that effective instructional design is both strategic and agile—grounded in purpose yet flexible enough to evolve.
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There are many ways to learn, and choosing the right approach matters. I believe in using data to evaluate which methods are most effective in meeting learning objectives, outcomes, and organizational goals. Thoughtful analysis helps ensure that the learning experience isn’t just engaging—it’s impactful, meaningful and motivational.
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In creating the demo project, I faced several key design decisions:
Should I require learners to complete each lesson or section before moving on?
Would branching based on incorrect answers enhance engagement and retention?
Is including 15 cards in the sorting activity too much, or just enough for meaningful practice?
Does allowing learners to skip straight to the quiz support efficiency, or does it reduce learning opportunities?
In this case, my intent was to provide flexibility. If a learner already understands and applies the return policy, they can demonstrate that knowledge by jumping directly to the quiz—saving time while still meeting learning objectives.
Background
For twenty years, I coached adults in learning how to ride motorcycles. During that time, many students struggled to choose the right style of motorcycle.
This micro-learning module offers a brief overview of the advantages of various motorcycle styles, paired with critiques from two fictional shoppers, Marilyn and Lilly.
Nitty Gritty
Audience: Adult consumers interested in purchasing a motorcycle
Purpose/Goal: To help consumers narrow their choice of motorcycle style by providing clear, concise comparisons
Learning Objective: Learners will be able to determine which style of motorcycle best fits their needs and preferences
Format: E-learning module
Tools Used: Articulate Storyline
Skills Applied:
Use of triggers and branching to create interactive decision paths
Integration of audio with text-to-speech technology
Animation emphasis for visual engagement
AI-generated imagery to enhance visual storytelling
What Motorcycle is right for you?
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Storyline is an effective tool for engaging learners, and in this project, I demonstrated a strategy for presenting a small amount of targeted information. While the module offered foundational knowledge, learners were still encouraged to explore and decide which motorcycle style best suited their preferences, promoting critical thinking and personalized learning.
If I were to enhance the project further, I would include an additional slide featuring an interactive learning activity and a clear conclusion slide with an exit button to provide closure and improve navigation.
Throughout the design process, I focused on building a meaningful narrative to enhance learner engagement, rather than relying heavily on flashy technologies that may distract from the learning objectives.