Case Study 3: Leading Online Course Grant Proposal Team
Project Context
The EMS Program sought to expand its online offerings by creating a new course featuring shareable video content for faculty use across multiple classes. This initiative required securing an Online Course Grant from the Office of Teaching and Learning, a competitive process demanding a clear vision, efficient collaboration, and a robust course design. The project aimed to deliver a scalable resource that would enhance teaching consistency and flexibility within the program.
Key Challenges
- Coordinating a team to develop a compelling grant proposal under tight deadlines.
- Managing the creation of high-quality, reusable video content for diverse course applications.
- Designing a course structure that balanced innovation with practical faculty utility.
- Ensuring seamless team communication and task tracking in a collaborative setting.
- Translating the proposed vision into a functional online course post-grant approval.
Process and Approach
Analysis Phase
I assessed the grant requirements and program needs, identifying the demand for shareable video resources as a key selling point. I also evaluated team strengths and potential bottlenecks, prioritizing tools and strategies to streamline collaboration and content development.
Project Planning
The project involved coordinating with a combination of team members and collaborators from outside programs.
Organization and a detailed project road map were essential to developing a successful proposal. Since our team was collaborating remotely, the technology stack for this project was crucial.
Technology Selection
- Notion: Centralized project management
with a Kanban board and activity database.
- Canvas: Hosted the final course structure and content delivery.
- Video Editing Tools: Supported filming and editing of professional-grade video resources.
Accessibility Considerations
I incorporated flexibility into the course design by:
- Ensuring videos included captions for accessibility.
- Structuring content in Canvas for easy navigation by faculty and students.
- Using Notion’s shared access to accommodate team members’ schedules.
Solutions Implemented
Details of the Project
While this grant proposal project highlights project management skills, the actual course proposal featured several interesting features that have become staples in my instructional design bag. The details of the course are outlined in the subsequent sections.
Course Structure Redesign
The proposed course was designed as a modular resource hub:
- Shareable video lessons organized by topic for faculty integration.
- Clear module objectives tied to common program themes.
- Flexible delivery options within Canvas for varied teaching contexts.
Interactive Elements
- Video Content Creation: Filmed and edited videos with engaging visuals, ensuring reusability across courses.
- Project Management via Notion: Built a Kanban board for task tracking and a database for activity development, keeping the team aligned.
- Collaborative Planning: Used Notion to document instructional methodologies and content outlines.
Technology Integration
- Leveraged Notion as the backbone for grant preparation, syncing team efforts in real time.
- Implemented the course on Canvas with embedded videos and clear faculty instructions.
- Streamlined video production with editing tools (OBS Studio), ensuring consistency and polish.
Engagement Strategies
- Designed videos to be concise and versatile, encouraging faculty adoption.
- Maintained team momentum with Notion’s visual progress tracking.
- Post-grant, collaborated with an instructional designer to refine engagement tactics.
Outcomes and Impact
Project Benefits
- Scalability: Videos provided a reusable resource, enhancing program-wide teaching efficiency.
- Consistency: Standardized content delivery across courses.
- Flexibility: Faculty could adapt materials to their specific needs.
Student Experience
- Access to polished, on-demand video content improved comprehension of key topics.
- Consistent quality across courses elevated the learning experience.
Instructional Advantages
- Faculty gained a time-saving tool for lesson planning.
- Notion’s structure simplified team oversight and accountability.
- The course’s success led to its current renewal stage with the Academic Senate.
Visual Examples
Project Reflection
Leading this project underscored the critical role of project management in instructional design. Notion’s tools turned a complex team effort into a cohesive, successful proposal. The experience deepened my appreciation for aligning technology with practical outcomes; the videos’ reusability met a real faculty need, amplifying impact beyond a single course. Collaborating with an instructional designer post-grant refined my approach to iterative design, highlighting the value of expert input. In future projects, I would integrate more formative team check-ins within Notion to preempt delays and enhance video prototyping earlier in the process.