As we approach the end of the project, I had the honor of being invited by the library director to attend the staff meeting, present the instructional design outputs I created, and share the journey I went through in developing them. The video above shows my entire presentation. Each of the staff were given a copy of the wayfinding map, which they have on hand. The entire library staff was pleased with the work, as evident in the round of applause they've given me. After the presentation, the library director shared more about the project and gave her own heartfelt comments, even saying that if she were to put a price tag on what I did, they would have paid $5,000 to a professional consultant for the same work.
One of the staff members asked a question at the end of the presentation, which I gladly entertained. Her concern was about changing the layout of the map in case they wanted to create bigger version and use it for other purposes, like putting it in the elevator. I explained that all elements and aspects of the map are editable, so they are free to make any changes they want. Along with the library director, I also assured her that once she goes through the online course, she will have a better understanding of how these changes can be made.
After the meeting, the library staff warmly congratulated me on the project and expressed their gratitude. One of them said, "We were waiting for a map and a tutorial like this for a very long time," so they’re very grateful that I delivered something that went above and beyond their expectations. Another staff member asked where I made the map, and I shared that I created it using PowerPoint because I wanted it to be easily accessible and editable for them. She couldn’t believe it, as she thought that it was developed using a complex and expensive software.
I am very happy with how they responded. All the hard work is worth it seeing how much they appreciated it.
From this experience, I have gained a couple of insights.
First, I realized how important it is to openly license our work. By doing so, we empower others to reuse, adapt, and build upon it without unnecessary barriers. As seen in the meeting, the staff was already coming up with ideas on how they could adapt and repurpose the map (i.e., as a signage to be placed on elevators).
Second, aligned with that realization, I learned that adopting an open license is just one part of the equation. It’s equally important to embody the principles of open education. I did this by not only openly licensing the map, but also adapting the ALMS framework:
Access to Editing Tools - The wayfinding map was created using Microsoft PowerPoint, a software the library already has an active subscription to. This ensures they can revise or remix the materials without needing to purchase additional tools.
Level of Expertise Required - Only a minimal level of technical expertise is required, as editing involves simple tasks such as moving shapes and typing in text boxes within PowerPoint.
Meaningfully Editable - It is published in an editable PPTX format, so staff can revise or remix the material as needed.
Self-Sourced - The wayfinding map can be consumed (e.g., through presentation view) and edited in the same PowerPoint file.
There weren’t any major problems during the staff meeting. The presentation went smoothly, and all the feedback I received was positive.
Perhaps the only minor issue was a brief concern raised about scaling the map for other purposes. However, as described in the narration of events, this was quickly addressed by explaining the openness of the wayfinding map. The staff was reassured that this concern would be answered even more thoroughly once they go through the online course.
Focusing on my presentation during the staff meeting, I'd say that my strength is that I was able to clearly showcase the problem and the solution we developed, so the staff could truly see the value of the work done. I also incorporated some humor, which helped engage the entire audience throughout the presentation. I also particularly liked the design of my slides; using pictures instead of heavy text helped limit the cognitive load for the staff and allowed them to keep their focus on me as the presenter.
As for the weaknesses, there was a lack of live demonstration on how to edit the map, which could have preemptively addressed the concern raised. However, since the meeting was intended as a quick update rather than an extensive workshop, this was understandable. Besides, demonstration on how to edit the map is available in the course, and they can access it anytime. Another weakness is that I didn’t use a formal method of feedback collection (e.g., survey). But again, this may be for the best, as the meeting was not designed for that purpose. The staff are not the primary learners of the wayfinding map, and although they are the target audience for the course, the presentation only provided a brief overview. They didn’t have the opportunity to go through the course thoroughly, so more detailed feedback will likely come later once they engage with the materials fully. On the bright side, there is also much to appreciate in focusing on verbal feedback. We were able to engage in a dialogue where everyone could hear my answers, so if others had the same concerns, they were addressed openly and immediately.
Based on my insights from this meeting, I would recommend that I add a CC BY license to the map to communicate that the map is an Open Educational Resource (OER) that can be retained, reused, revised, remixed, and redistributed.
Moreover, I would recommend to my future self to embrace open education in my future practice. It is very fulfilling to see when our resources inspire innovation among our learners and achieve a reach beyond the original scope of the project. Do not keep these resources locked away, but instead share them openly and freely. This, I believe, is the essence of being an instructional designer FOR the people.