The Scout Basic Essentials
The Problem
Many Boy Scout troops face significant challenges due to a decline in uniformed adult members and limited participation from parent committee members in supporting troop operations. The reduction in uniformed adults, such as Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs), often results from children aging out of the program or discontinuing scouting, coupled with a lack of interest from new parents in stepping into ASM roles. This turnover can lead to a knowledge gap as experienced ASMs leave, especially when parent members are not actively engaged, resulting in missed opportunities to transfer valuable knowledge. Furthermore, decreased parental involvement is often influenced by factors such as cultural differences, language barriers, limited experience with scouting, and a lack of interest in troop activities.
The Primary Goal
The primary goal of this project is to foster greater parental involvement in scout troops. Developing comprehensive teaching aids will lower the barriers for parents to participate in delivering fundamental training sessions.
The Scout Basic Essentials training was developed first because it addresses the fundamental knowledge that new scouts need to acquire. Additionally, the topics covered in this training are widely familiar to most adults, making it more accessible and manageable for parent members to facilitate.
The Audience
While it might seem that the scouts are the primary audience for this project, as they are the ones receiving the training, the true focus is on the parent members who are not currently active in supporting the troop. The project includes a “Training the Trainers’” approach, equipping these parents with the tools and knowledge necessary to confidently deliver fundamental training sessions to scouts.
The Process
This project loosely followed the ADDIE model, with adjustments that brought it closer to the SAM framework, to guide its processes. The theme, ‘Sustainability of the Troop,’ served as the foundation and starting point for the project. An action map was developed in collaboration with subject matter experts (SMEs), using Conceptboard, which identified areas that could and could not be addressed through instructional materials. This process led to the creation of the ‘Scout Basic Essentials‘ course, prioritized as one of the first trainings for new scouts due to its fundamental importance.
Responsibilities
- Instructional Design
- eLearning Development
- Action Mapping
- Storyboarding
- Scripting
- Visual Design
- Video Production
- Video Editing
Tools
- Storyline 360
- Vyond Studio
- Conceptboard
- Figma
- Copilot
- Camtasia Studio
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- Gimp
- Inkscape
- PowerPoint
- Word
Action Map
Multiple Modalities
During the analysis phase, it became evident that teaching methods varied widely, ranging from fully analog approaches to those incorporating digital technology. Additionally, the use and quality of digital media presentations were influenced by the presenters’ technical skills and the availability of technology at their regular meeting sites. This variability highlighted the need for multiple teaching aids to accommodate diverse situations and ensure effective and consistent training delivery.
Storyboard
After identifying the topic, Learning Objectives were carefully defined in collaboration with SMEs. The content was outlined and then structured into a detailed written storyboard for the eLearning solution, serving as a blueprint for subsequent phases. A visual storyboard was created to guide the design of the eLearning solution and was seamlessly integrated into the written storyboard.
Teaching Guide
The main content outlined in the storyboard, supplemented with additional details, became the Teaching Guide for parent instructors, specifically tailored for traditional, analog teaching methods. Carefully selected images were placed in the guide to complement the content, with the same visuals organized into a separate handout for scouts.
Once finalized, ‘Training the Trainers’ components were incorporated to provide parent instructors with practical guidance on preparation, session expectations, and strategies for keeping scouts engaged.
Slide Show Presentation
A slideshow presentation was developed for scenarios where parent instructors are comfortable using technology and the troop has access to the necessary equipment. The detailed outline from the teaching guide served as a solid foundation for this development process. A style guide was established to ensure a consistent appearance between the slide deck and the eLearning module. PowerPoint was chosen as the platform, allowing the slide decks to be seamlessly imported into Storyline 360 for the addition of interactive elements tailored to the eLearning module. Photographs were carefully edited using Adobe Photoshop to achieve a polished, professional look, and animations were integrated to empower parent instructors to control the pace of the presentation while keeping scouts actively engaged. Additionally, ‘Training the Trainers’ elements were embedded into the slide deck but were strategically “hidden,” ensuring they remain visible only to the presenter and not displayed during the presentation.
Interactive eLearning
The PowerPoint slide deck was carefully revised to ensure a smooth import into Storyline 360. This process involved removing ‘Training the Trainers’ elements and animations, reorganizing images, adding interactive quiz slides, and incorporating moments of delight. Custom buttons and icons with multiple states were designed using Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape, while Figma was utilized to prototype and validate interaction flows, ensuring a seamless user experience.
Many slides were converted into layers, activated by a series of buttons and triggers to create dynamic interactions and functionality. Some quizzes were redesigned with a more visual approach to enhance learner engagement wherever possible.
The resulting interactive eLearning module was designed for dual use: as a classroom tool operated by parent instructors and as a self-study resource for scouts. While asynchronous learning is not the preferred methodology due to scouting’s emphasis on interpersonal interaction, this option provides a flexible way for scouts to independently revisit material or onboard into scouting at irregular times by completing the course online.
Supplemental Videos
A set of supplemental videos was developed for the parent members to learn about the Scout Basic Essentials, allowing them to gain more confidence before teaching it to the scouts. These videos can be shared with the scouts in case they have to study the contents on their own or to refresh their memories, although it was not the primary intention.