Project Overview
Context, Conditions, Scope, and Role
Ikar's Diary was created during the Spring of 2025 for EME 6677: Advanced Instructional Design & Development to address the challenge of presenting a learning theory in a memorable way. In this interactive story, Pavlov's dog Ikar decides to stop drooling one day and breaks free from Pavlov's laboratory. Through his scrolling diary entries, the learner is introduced to key concepts in Social Cognitive Theory like human agency, self-efficacy, and observational learning. This is the final version submitted for the course assignment. I created the narrative content and used Adobe Express for the built-in graphics and scrolling format. I used ChatGPT to revise the text. Specifically, I prompted it to apply the "style of George Saunders" so it reflected the fragmented rhythm and tone I imagined for Ikar’s voice.
Competencies Demonstrated
Select the small arrow to read the skills and rationale applied to this project.
Communication
- Communicate effectively in written, oral, and visual formats
- Produce clear, concise and grammatically correct messages
- Produce visuals that adhere to the principles of message design
- Use appropriate tools to communicate with learners, clients, and other stakeholders
Using a first-person narrative format communicates complex theoretical concepts in an engaging and accessible way. The scrolling text and visual elements are grouped in close proximity and follow a consistent pattern that guides the learners sequentially through the content. Adobe Express allowed me to create an easy-to-access hyperlink to share and communicate the content with learners.
Design
- Apply learning theory and systems thinking to design practice
- Generate appropriate instructional strategies and activities
- Apply interaction design principles
- Provide a rationale for design decisions
Using "scrollytelling" as an instructional strategy manages the content and reduces cognitive load. The design approach of disclosing information progressively in small chunks (e.g., Ikar's diary entries) establishes Ikar as a relatable pedagogical agent who is framed more as a co-learner than an instructor. As Ikar gains the ability to make independent choices that will shape his life, he is simultaneously modeling Human Agency, a key concept of Social Cognitive Theory.
Technology and Media
- Select and use appropriate technology and media for specific outcomes
- Develop instructional materials using a variety of media (e.g., print, audio-visual, multimedia)
- Use technology tools in the design process
- Provide a rationale for technology and media decisions
Adobe Express was selected for its scrolling format and layout capabilities that support Mayer's Spatial Contiguity and Segmenting Principles. The platform allows text and graphics to be positioned in close proximity, helping learners easily connect related information. The scrolling functionality enables content to be broken into manageable segments, giving learners control over pacing as they move through Ikar's diary entries at their own speed.
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ID Artifacts > Ikar's Diary