E-Learning Course Design Using Articulate 360

Whale Watch: Designing a Clickable Ocean Adventure
How do you turn scientific facts about whales into an immersive, non-linear learning experience for curious minds of all ages? That was the challenge I set out to solve through a flexible, multimedia-rich eLearning course built for exploration.

The Goal
Create an engaging, self-directed course that teaches learners about whale anatomy, behavior, migration, and conservation. The course needed to allow users to chart their own path through the content.

My Design Process
I used the ADDIE framework for structure, SAM for agility, and Gagné’s 9 Events of Instruction to ensure each module delivered on learning outcomes and engagement.

Analysis (ADDIE)
Conducted content and audience analysis

Built empathy maps to define learner motivations and barriers

Prioritized core content areas: anatomy, species types, behavioral patterns, and environmental threats

Design and Iteration
Designed a modular course map aligned with Gagné’s 9 Events

Applied SAM to rapidly prototype, test, and refine

Created opportunities for learner choice to encourage autonomy from the start

Gagné’s 9 Events in Action
Here’s how I brought the theory to life:
Gain Attention: Animated whale intro with the question, “What do whales have in common with you?”

State Objectives: Clear learning targets at the beginning of each module

Stimulate Recall: Quick quiz on marine life to activate prior knowledge

Present Content: Layered multimedia including photos, audio, videos, and interactives

Provide Guidance: Pop-ups, clickable icons, and tooltips to support learning

Elicit Performance: Gamified practice through drag-and-drop, matching, and mapping activities

Provide Feedback: Instant, corrective feedback throughout assessments

Assess Performance: End-of-module quizzes to evaluate understanding

Promote Retention and Transfer: A “Whale Watch Challenge” scenario allowed learners to apply their knowledge in a simulated whale rescue

Development and Tools
The course was built in Articulate Storyline 360 and refined through ongoing feedback and usability testing. The non-linear navigation encouraged exploration and supported self-directed learning.

Evaluation and Results
Formative evaluation guided continuous improvement

Summative evaluation showed strong knowledge retention

Learners reported that the audio whale calls and migration mapping were the most engaging components

Post-assessment scores improved by 25 percent compared to pre-assessment scores

“The course felt like an adventure. The whale sounds gave me goosebumps!” – Beta tester

A hosted course titled "Whale Watch: An eLearning Adventure" features seven interactive modules. Each module followed Gagné’s instructional events and was designed for accessibility, flexibility, and engagement across age groups.

Structure and creativity can work together to elevate learning experiences. By combining proven instructional models with flexible navigation and rich multimedia, I created something both instructionally sound and delightfully exploratory.