Carbon Smart Design

Interactive eLearning Course | Articulate Storyline 360

Project Overview

Carbon Smart Design is an interactive eLearning experience developed in Articulate Storyline that introduces learners to the impact of early design decisions on a building's embodied carbon footprint. Rather than presenting information through traditional slides, the course places learners in authentic project scenarios where they evaluate options, make decisions, and receive immediate feedback based on their selections.

Learners begin by selecting either a project briefing or course objectives before entering the simulation.

Results & Impact

Carbon Smart Design evolved from a graduate prototype into a professional learning initiative at Green Building Education Services (GBES). The project is currently being expanded into a one-hour continuing education course for sustainability professionals and is planned to serve as the foundation of a three-course learning series.

As the sole instructional designer and developer, I continue to lead the project's instructional strategy, course architecture, content development, Storyline programming, visual design, and learner experience throughout its professional implementation.

The project also received academic recognition when Professor Law invited me to demonstrate Carbon Smart Design at the Georgia State University Instructional Design Showcase as an example of innovative instructional design and interactive eLearning development.

The project's transition from graduate coursework to professional implementation demonstrates its instructional value, scalability, and real-world impact.

Introduces the client, project constraints, and performance goals before learners begin making decisions.

The Challenge

Embodied carbon has become a critical topic in sustainable design, yet many architects, engineers, and construction professionals struggle to understand how early design decisions influence a building's overall carbon footprint. Existing training often relies on technical presentations and static content that explain the concepts but provide limited opportunities for learners to practice applying them in real-world situations.

The challenge was to design an interactive learning experience that moved beyond knowledge acquisition and encouraged learners to think like design professionals. Rather than memorizing facts, learners would evaluate trade-offs, make project decisions, and receive immediate feedback on how those decisions affected embodied carbon outcomes.

The prototype also needed to be scalable, serving as the foundation for a professional continuing education course that could grow into a comprehensive learning series for Green Building Education Services. settingsconcepts but offer limited opportunities for learners to practice applying them in real-world settings.

Provides guidance immediately before learners evaluate structural design alternatives.

My Role

As the sole instructional designer and developer, I led every stage of the project from concept through implementation. I designed the instructional strategy, wrote the content, created the scenario-based learning experience, designed the interface, developed visual assets, programmed interactions in Articulate Storyline, and built custom triggers, layers, and feedback to create an engaging, decision-based learning experience. My goal was to transform complex sustainability concepts into authentic learning experiences that encourage exploration, critical thinking, and practical application.

Development in Articulate Storyline 360: Custom triggers, slide layers, and interactive decision logic were used to create realistic project scenarios with immediate learner feedback.

Instructional Design Decisions

Authentic Decision Making

Learners make realistic project decisions instead of passively reviewing content.

I designed the course around authentic project scenarios in which learners make the same types of embodied-carbon decisions that architects, engineers, and construction professionals face. This approach encourages learners to apply concepts rather than simply recall information.

Immediate, Contextual Feedback

Learner decisions generate immediate feedback that explains the consequences of each choice, reinforcing understanding in the moment and supporting knowledge transfer.

Role-Based Learning Experience

Learners progress through the project from the perspectives of various stakeholders, including architects, structural engineers, owners, and contractors. This structure demonstrates how embodied carbon decisions evolve throughout the building design process and encourages learners to consider multiple perspectives.

Progressive Learning Path

Activities build from foundational concepts to increasingly complex design decisions, allowing learners to develop confidence before applying advanced concepts.

Visual Dashboard and Performance Indicators

I incorporated a visual carbon-leverage indicator and a project timeline to provide continuous feedback throughout the learning experience. These visual elements help learners understand the impact of their decisions while maintaining engagement and reinforcing key concepts.

Reflection

Carbon Smart Design strengthened my ability to transform complex technical information into engaging, learner-centered experiences. Throughout the project, I focused on creating meaningful interactions that encouraged learners to analyze, apply, and reflect on authentic design decisions. This experience reinforced the importance of aligning instructional strategies with workplace performance while creating interactions that promote exploration, feedback, and practical application.

This project reinforced the value of authentic, scenario-based learning and constructivist instructional design by allowing learners to apply concepts through realistic decision-making rather than passively receiving information.

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