Class Dojo
role
Instructional Designer
Tools used
Articulate Storyline
Client/Context
Teachers
year
2022
✨ Overview
This scenario-based eLearning experience was designed to help teachers build stronger parent relationships using the ClassDojo platform. With improved parent communication as the central focus, the course guides teachers through real-life classroom scenarios while modeling how to use key features of ClassDojo. The result? A practical, visual, and empowering learning experience.
🧭 The Challenge
Teacher burnout is an ongoing issue — often caused by student behavior and difficult parent interactions. While not all stressors are in a teacher’s control, effective communication strategies are.
In collaboration with a seasoned teacher (SME), I set out to design a solution that helps educators build positive relationships with parents, ultimately creating better outcomes for students.
Together, we identified ClassDojo as a user-friendly, free, and highly accessible tool that could help bridge the gap between the classroom and home. But many teachers weren’t using it to its full potential — or at all.
🛠️ My Instructional Design Process
1. Action Mapping for Focused Learning
I used Cathy Moore’s action mapping method to cut through the noise and define a laser-focused goal:
Help teachers use ClassDojo to foster consistent, supportive communication with parents throughout the day.
This approach allowed us to remove unnecessary content and zero in on the actions teachers can realistically take during their busy schedules.
2. Scenario-Based Storyboarding
To bring the learning to life, I designed a sequence of interactive scenarios based on a day in the life of a classroom teacher. Each scene was tied to a specific challenge — such as calming a disruptive class or updating a parent on student progress — and showed how a specific ClassDojo feature could be used in response.
✅ Learner decisions influenced the story’s direction
✅ Correct choices unlocked deeper learning via an interactive hub
✅ Incorrect choices offered thoughtful feedback and a chance to retry
3. Prototyping & Visual Design
After building out a prototype based on the storyboard, I quickly realized that a custom visual style would enhance learner engagement and ensure consistency.
I focused on:
- A friendly color palette aligned with ClassDojo’s brand
- A balance between ClassDojo’s character style and Articulate Storyline assets
- Clear navigation and intuitive user flow
I shared the prototype with peers and an instructional designer. Feedback praised the visual consistency, interactivity, and learner flow, leading to a few refinements before final development.
🎮 Key Features
- ✨ Choose-Your-Own-Character Intro
- 🎯 Scenario-Based Decision Points
- 💡 Interactive "How-To" Tutorials
- 🎚 Sliders, Tabs, and Click-to-Reveal Activities
- 🧭 Interactive Navigation Menu (Hub-Based)
- 📝 Formative Quizzes for Immediate Feedback
📈 Results & Feedback
I gathered feedback from teachers, instructional designers, and peers:
What they loved:
- “So relatable!” — The daily teaching scenarios felt authentic and useful
- “Really fun to go through!” — High praise for interactivity and visuals
- “Very easy to follow” — Simple, accessible, and inviting user experience
What I improved:
- Tweaked instructions for clarity in two decision points
- Improved color contrast and button sizing for better accessibility
💡 Takeaways
This project blended many of my favorite instructional design elements — from visual storytelling and UX design to collaboration, coding, and scenario writing.
It helped me grow in the following areas:
- Designing with empathy for time-pressed learners
- Translating complex tools into simple, actionable steps
- Elevating eLearning through visual consistency and interactivity
Get in touch
Looking for an instructional designer you don’t have to babysit? I deliver accurate, on-brand training — in English and Spanish — on time, every time. From compliance modules to custom storytelling, I bring clarity, consistency, and calm to complex projects. Ready to get started? Fill out the form below — I’d love to hear about your project.
