Executive Summary
The LiftUp donation center plays a pivotal role in managing a steady stream of donations, necessitating efficient sorting, cleaning, and pricing efforts to support the operations of the Thrift Store. With a team comprised of both paid employees and a dynamic group of flexible-schedule volunteers, the center faces the ongoing challenge of ensuring effective training amid the demanding nature of the environment. Currently, training for new volunteers and staff primarily takes place on the job, exposing them to the intricacies of donation sorting amidst the fast-paced workflow. However, this approach often leads to overwhelming experiences for newcomers, particularly during high-volume donation days where the pace intensifies. Recognizing the need for a more structured and accessible training solution, I leveraged my expertise in instructional design to develop a comprehensive onboarding course for new volunteers and staff at the donation center. This initiative aimed to provide essential pre-training to individuals, offering them a foundational understanding of sorting procedures and best practices before engaging in hands-on tasks on the floor. By implementing this pre-training approach, the project sought to mitigate the challenges associated with on-the-job learning, fostering a more supportive and empowering environment for new team members. Through the utilization of instructional design principles and collaboration with key stakeholders, including the donation center manager, the course was meticulously crafted to address the specific needs and concerns of staff and volunteers. Overall, the development of this onboarding course represents a proactive step towards enhancing the training experience at the LiftUp donation center, ensuring that new volunteers and staff are equipped with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in their roles from the outset.
Instructional Design Process
A structured approach, guided by the ADDIE model, facilitated the systematic development and implementation of the onboarding course, ultimately contributing to the success and effectiveness of the training initiative at the LiftUp donation center. 1. Analysis: The project commenced with a thorough analysis phase, aimed at gaining a comprehensive understanding of the training needs and requirements of the LiftUp donation center. This involved conducting interviews and observations to identify key challenges, learning objectives, and stakeholder expectations. By conducting a detailed needs assessment, we were able to pinpoint areas for improvement and inform the subsequent design and development phases. 2. Design: Building upon the insights gathered during the analysis phase, the design phase focused on crafting a robust instructional framework for the onboarding course. This stage involved defining learning objectives, determining instructional strategies, and outlining the overall course structure. Collaborative brainstorming sessions and consultations with subject matter experts informed the design decisions, ensuring alignment with the unique context and needs of the donation center. 3. Development: With the course design blueprint in place, the development phase involved the creation of course content, multimedia assets, and interactive elements. Leveraging the authoring tool Articulate Rise, as well as the graphic design tool, Canva, we translated the instructional design concepts into engaging learning materials. Content was carefully curated to deliver essential information in a clear and concise manner, supplemented by visuals, simulations, and real-life scenarios to enhance learner engagement and retention. 4. Implementation: The implementation phase marked the rollout of the onboarding course to new volunteers and staff at the LiftUp donation center. This involved coordinating training schedules, providing access to the course platform, and facilitating orientation sessions to familiarize learners with the learning resources and expectations. Ongoing support and communication were key components of the implementation process, ensuring a seamless transition to the new training paradigm. 5. Evaluation: The final phase of the ADDIE model centered on evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the onboarding course. The evaluation portion is still ongoing.