EDID6512 Design Project
'Gamifying Life Saving Training'

Working on the final design project, 'Gamifying Life Saving Training', was significant because it allowed me to formulate meaningful experiences outside the direct teaching of university instructors. The design project allowed me to adapt theories and methodologies gathered from the classroom and apply them in a real-world context. Original content was generated to suit the target audience and was culturally relevant. This course allowed me to address a real-world problem through a combination of skills and knowledge gleaned throughout the course. Gamifying Life Saving Training is an instructional intervention that would enhance volunteers' skills, knowledge and confidence to perform specific tasks in their duties.
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Identifying the problem was not as tricky as anticipated. However, addressing it through a design project was a challenge. Despite this, I utilised my understanding of learning theories, instructional strategies, models and design concepts to develop a training programme—the experience of working with volunteers contributed to its success. Foundational schools of thought and understanding how they function helped steer the process of finding possible interventions. 

However, applying Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) to my design meant I had to fully understand the basics of CLT to ensure the participants understood the content and retained it. With this in mind, I had to revisit the learning techniques, the amount of data to be loaded, and the structure and environment in which the knowledge was distilled and then dispersed. 
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On another note, I had to consult with partners who have delivered similar programmes, which exposed me to other styles as I came across content I needed for my project. What stood out the most was seeing the various strategies play out in my design and the learners responding to each type of strategy as expected. Though my project only required me to develop two lessons, I took the opportunity. I created a three-day training programme that the organisation needed. Even after many days and nights of planning, preparing, organising, designing and developing over 300 slides, a manual and a leaderboard there is still room for improvement. Please look at an extract of my before and after training presentation under my artefacts section.

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