GLSEN - Creating Safer Spaces Online Training
Project Attributes:
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eLearning Design
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Accessibility
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Multimedia Design
Tools:
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Canvas
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Camtasia
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Articulate Storyline
The Client
The mission of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of GLSEN (GLSEN-GKC) has been to create safe and affirming schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. GLSEN-GKC consists of a dedicated group of hard-working volunteers, almost all of whom are highly-experienced educators. Since 1999, GLSEN-GKC has conducted trainings around the state which promote awareness of these issues and teach practical skills to educators, and advocacy skills for youth, who wish to better improve the climates in their buildings.
The Problem Being Addressed
According to the client, a board member who represents GLSEN-GKC, a 1-hour “Be Aware” face-to-face training has been provided to review the gender terminology, research results on disparities, and tactics for improving the school climate. These trainings have been shown to improve outcomes for LGBTQ youth.
These trainings typically consist of basic expository instruction. Delivering these trainings was difficult because most trainers are volunteers who work during the school days, and the schedule for the target audience’s participation varies. The nature of the training involved was one-way rather than interactive. Nevertheless, a self-paced online module design for the 1-hour “Be-aware” training was needed and was expected to make the training more efficient as well as cost-effective. The training will also make the information more accessible to practicing educators.
The purpose of the training was to improve the awareness of K-12 teachers and students who will be future educators.
Target Audience
The training was mainly provided to preservice and licensed educators and K-12 Education students at the Teacher's College at Emporia State University. It will also be provided to educators in other Universities in the State of Kansas after it is tested and ready to be used widely.
The Training Solution
The training was preferred to be delivered and deployed through a link that teachers can access. The client also required the learners' progress to be tracked and there are knowledge checks throughout. During the planning phase, the client came in with some of the raw materials prepared, such as images, videos, and links to websites, which were requested to be put in the training.
Considering all the information collected, the LMS, Canvas was selected to be the primary tool for the training where all the resources and materials can be easily accessed, knowledge checks can be implemented, and results of their learning can be tracked. Students will be on tracked by the trainer from the time they join to the point they finish the course. Articulate Storyline was also used to design and display interactive learning materials and create self-assessment activities.
The evaluation phase was implemented through Google Form, which can accessed via a link on Canvas.
After working collaboratively with the Subject Matter Expert, the finalized learning objectives are:
Upon finishing the training, learners will be able to:
1) Demonstrate the understanding of the given gender terminology.
2) Identify the disparities in school climate for LGBTQ+ Youth.
3) Demonstrate the ways in which they can support LGBTQ+ students in schools.
The course was divided into three modules, they are:
1. Gender Terminology
2. Research on disparities in school climate for LGBTQ+ Youth.
3. How to support LGBTQ+ Youth.
Project Timeline
Funding and Staffing Requirements
No additional funding or staff requirements are needed for this project.
Material Snapshots and Samples
Lecture Sample
Parts of the learning content was designed with Articulate Storyline, and was embedded into each module on Canvas.
Self-Assessment Activity Sample
Video Sample
Videos throughout the course were designed and edited with Camtasia. The closed-captions were created by YouTube.
Please feel free to watch the video below introducing the NSCS (National School Climate Survey) as part of the learning content in Module 2.
Marketing Material
Marketing Video
A marketing video was created for the training program "GLSEN-Creating Safer Spaces Online Training" to market and promote the training solution. The video highlights the training solution, instructional design model and theory, and the technology that was integrated into the course. The video was created and edited using the video editing software, Camtasia. Part of the resources was found from Pixabay - a website that provides copyright-free visual elements. Some of the images were created using Adobe Photoshop.
Brochure
