In Summer 2023, I rebuilt a "mixed review" pilot into the Battery Academy’s first successful cohort. In under 2 months I stood up Canvas LMS, rewrote assessments, built guides, embedded SCORM, and created a facilitator support model. The Beta cohort (64 learners; 33 completions) rated the experience highly (80%+ confidence and skill gains). Zero launch issues. This project proved the programs’s viability and set the foundation for ongoing success.
SNAPSHOT
Timeframe: Summer → Fall 2023 (Beta launch in Sept)
Audience: Mix of beginners + partner company employees
Scale: ~64 participants (33 completions; ~51%); 24 survey responses
Format: Online program in Canvas LMS with weekly facilitator office hours
ROLE & TOOLS
Role: Sole instructional designer (plus program manager/admin support)
Tools: Google Suite, Instructure Canvas LMS + Catalog, Canva, Zoom
WHAT IT IS
The Battery Technician Program (BTECH) beta launch was the first full public offering of the Battery Academy—delivered across 7 courses (~3 hrs each) covering safety, manufacturing, and battery basics. This launch replaced a mixed-response pilot on Docebo with a rebuilt experience in Canvas LMS.
WHY IT MATTERS
The pilot had frustrated learners (technical issues, poor flow, weak assessments). My redesign flipped perception: from a risky program to one of NENY’s flagship workforce successes, validating the Battery Academy model and proving demand for clean energy training.
INCLUDES:
LMS setup: Built an entire Canvas instance in weeks (vs 2‑month vendor estimate); created catalog + enrollment flows
Content improvements:
Rewrote and balanced all assessments (MCQ/MA/TF) per course
Created new learning guides (PDF; key concepts, glossaries)
Added supporting readings and discussions around SCORM content
Remapped learning objectives for clarity and progression
Facilitation: Recruited/trained facilitator for weekly live office hours
Badging: Manual credentialing through BU’s Credly system
Branding: Modern, academic visual design aligned to NENY identity
OUTCOMES
Completions: 33/65 (~51%)
Survey signals:
80% felt knowledge/skills increased
74% felt sufficiently supported
75% increased interest in the field
80% gained more confidence for advanced study
Satisfaction: 16/24 rated program 8–10/10; learner comments praised flexibility, clarity, glossaries, and visual design
Zero tech issues at launch (vs many in pilot) → no support tickets opening week
Result: renewed program confidence; set benchmark for future cohorts
Solo ID role: One‑person design team, supported by PM and admin for comms/logistics
Time crunch: 2 months (July–Aug) to re‑platform, redesign, and launch in Sept
Choice: Focus on usability, learner support, and fast fixes to pain points instead of expensive new production
ITERATION
Applied same improvements to the Expert program next spring; continued refining course flow, assessments, and guides based on Beta feedback. Subsequent cohorts have run smoothly with near‑zero tech issues.
Battery Academy now offers asynchronous courses (free for NYS residents via grant funding) plus public/private cohorts. Next steps: expanding catalog, employer integrations, and intermediate/advanced pathways.