Mobile eLearning for Hikers: Caballero County Guide

An interactive training for Caballero County Parks

Tools used:

Articulate Rise, Canva, Miro

Overview:

This eLearning challenge with Tim Slade’s eLearning Designers Academy provided an opportunity to design a creative and succinct model to train hikers to prepare for water intake and select the appropriate trail based on ability and climate.

Audience: hikers of all levels who visit Caballero county parks

Problem: Caballero County Parks has seen a rise in heat-related emergencies among hikers during its hot, dry summers. Many hikers underestimate trail difficulty and environmental risks, leading to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke—conditions that can become life-threatening due to delayed ranger response. To improve safety, park rangers seek a mobile-friendly eLearning course that empowers hikers to choose appropriate trails, recognize and respond to heat-related symptoms, plan adequate hydration, and make safe decisions on the trail.

Solution: To ensure hikers are equipped with the knowledge and preparedness to have a successful and safe hike, I used the inputs from the rangers to develop a training that hikers can access on their phones via QR code. The training includes scenarios based on different hiker characteristics and hiking conditions. There are strategically placed, interactive activities that engage hikers and encourage them to continue with the training, including branching scenarios, hot spots and reverse hot spots, and other knowledge checks.

Process

I applied the ADDIE model to develop this training by considering various user profiles for different experience levels, mapping learning objectives to learning strategies and practice opportunities, and focusing on maintaining user engagement.

Action map:

I created an action map in Miro to determine what key lessons users would need to complete and what in order to be prepared for their hike and what practice would reinforce how to prepare and make good decisions.

Text-based storyboard:

I then created a text-based storyboard with scenarios for hikers of various levels. I employed creativity to make the lessons more enjoyable and engaging for users who can select a group of adventurers to follow and assist. The addition of fantasy “fellowships” for users to follow and help through their hikes adds an element of gamification, which will encourage course completion.

Visual mock-ups with branding:

I created visual mock-ups of slides to ensure the branding provided creates a through line and clear visual storytelling. I used AI tools in Canva and Articulate to develop unique characters that provide visual appeal and game aesthetics to the course.

Full development:

I developed the full training in Articulate Rise with the Mighty plug-in, which allowed me to add reverse hot spots for practice activities and reflections, including a downloadable packing list to reinforce what hikers will need for a safe journey. I ensured that the course is responsive and easily viewed on a phone that accesses it via QR code.

Results and learnings:

I solicited peer feedback from educators, outdoor professionals, and instructional designers due to the fictional nature of this challenge project.

I learned to:

🎮 Develop a consistent strategy for incorporating game aesthetics and marrying them with the provided branding, making for a more engaging and fun user experience.

🔌 Incorporate new plug-ins that enabled enhanced interactivity for users.

📖 Design with storytelling mind, relying on a compelling story to guide learners through the important lessons.