Branched Learning for a Beginner Audience

At A Glance

Role Instructional Designer & Developer

Tools Articulate Storyline 360, Canva

Audience Novice learners (ages 8+)

Length 5-7 minutes

Output SCORM 1.2 package

Frameworks Backwards Design, Merrill's First Principles, UDL, CBL

The Problem / Opportunity

I designed this module as a portfolio piece to demonstrate that effective instructional design isn't about the complexity of the subject. It's about the rigor of the design process. By choosing a universally understood task, I could focus reviewers on the design decisions themselves: branching logic, assessment alignment, and accessible visual design.

Diagnostic Pre-Assessment

Learners begin with a diagnostic check that branches the path forward. Those who demonstrate prior knowledge skip the ingredient review and proceed directly to the building phase. This Competency-Based Learning approach respects learner time while ensuring appropriate scaffolding for those who need it.

Hotspot Exploration with Progressive Disclosure

Rather than front-loading information, I used progressive disclosure: learners explore each item at their own pace, with the visual interface responding to their attention. Selected items animate to full color while unselected items recede, creating clear focal hierarchy.

Branching Knife Safety Scenario

A wrong answer here doesn't end the module. It routes learners to a focused remediation slide before returning them to the main flow. This pedagogical move treats mistakes as opportunities for learning rather than gatekeeping moments.

Assessment Variety

I intentionally used different question formats in the final assessment than in the practice activities. This tests transfer rather than recall—learners must apply their knowledge in new contexts.

Visual Design System

I established a consistent visual world: woodgrain background, illustrated assets, warm color palette. The stacked sandwich illustration appears as a recurring motif, reinforcing module identity.

Lessons Learned / Reflection

This project pushed me to engage more deeply with Storyline's freeform drag-drop limitations, leading me to build custom drag interactions when the built-in tools couldn't support my design vision. It reinforced a core principle: the right tool serves the design, not the other way around.

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