How to Choose Project Ideas for your eLearning Portfolio

One of the biggest problems people face when designing their eLearning portfolio is choosing which projects to include.
Your instructional design portfolio is the best way to highlight your skills, impress clients, and attract the kind of work you are most passionate about.
So, in today’s video, we will dive deep into how to choose the best ideas for your instructional design or eLearning projects.
We will cover:
-Which projects you should include
-How to choose and create a flagship project
-How to select supporting projects
-How to include process write-ups and present your skills in the best light
As always, thank you for the support!
Explore the full "How to Design Effective eLearning" Playlist: • How to Design Effectiv...
20+ eLearning Portfolio Examples: • 20+ eLearning Portfoli...
Cath Ellis's website: www.cathellis.com/
To see examples or to get inspiration for your portfolio, check out the showcase: www.devlinpeck.com/showcase
Learn more about the bootcamp: www.devlinpeck.com/bootcamp
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Full writeup: www.devlinpeck.com/posts/vide...
0:00 Intro
1:20 Purpose of the Projects
3:27 Include Existing Projects?
5:02 Corporate Projects Only?
7:23 Don’t Get Too Technical
10:21 Embrace Concept Projects
12:43 The Flagship Project
14:48 Who is the Audience?
16:17 What’s the Problem?
17:22 Lack of Knowledge or Skill?
18:15 Is it Worth Solving?
19:09 Who is the Client?
19:49 Potential Solutions?
22:08 Supporting Projects
24:10 Completing the Write-ups
25:31 Final Recommendations
27:41 Conclusion

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Check out the full "How to Design Effective eLearning" video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWPReJhrrb2ondk

[@pixpusher]

One of the biggest gaps that I have seen when reviewing portfolios is describing exactly what role the person played in the project and what tools they used. Did they just develop the material? Did they do the analysis? Did they write anything? What is their process? Did they work with other vendors, etc. I am also mystified when interviewing people and they cannot describe their design and development process except for throwing out L&D buzzwords. Basically when someone wants to hire you, they need to know what you can do and how you do it. My advice from the hiring trenches :)

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thank you so much for sharing!!! Yes, discussing your role and responsibilities in a write-up is just as important as the deliverable itself. And that definitely sounds like a red flag if people are not able to talk through the projects on their own portfolios.

[@unknownspecimen9725]

I’d like to ask, as a brand new person to ID (this sounds silly) but I started a very basic storyline on “how to make a PB&J” and would love any tips, and tricks to get the full storyline experience. I’m 4 days old to this career path.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

@@unknownspecimen9725 Welcome! If the goal is to learn Storyline then the content may not be super important at the moment. I would suggest trying to recreate interactions that you see online and build any projects you’re passionate about 😃

[@simrandhupar6755]

This has given me so much direction already! Portfolios seem tricky to start with just because you're not sure of what kind of projects need to go in there, but this video right here is the answer to all questions. Thank you for sharing such wonderful advice with us, Devlin!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're so welcome! I'm really glad that I was able to bring this one live, because it's definitely something that holds people back. Happy to hear that it helped :)

[@byeteaching]

Your video provides valuable guidance and encouragement. Keep up the excellent work..

[@1worldatlas]

Thanks so much for all the quality content you create and curate! You’re doing a great service Devlin! Thanks again!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome, Kyle! Thanks for the support :D

[@leannesuttles6832]

Perfect timing and as usual, great advice and content! Thank you

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks Leanne! Glad that this one came at a good time :D

[@billyjpenningtonjr]

Great info. As a teacher looking to transition into an ID job I find this very useful. Looking forward to the other videos.

[@ultimodias]

To say your timing is perfect, 🤩 would be an understatement. Thanks a bunch 💐 Devlin. Once again you answered my questions before I asked them.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re very welcome! I’m glad that this one came at a good time 😃

[@josejacobuk]

Well this was perfectly timed. Spent days recently thinking about this getting nowhere, this has really given my thought process direction. I have a mid term break coming up where I am dedicating the week to getting the portfolio started this information will be very helpful, well so will all of your other videos to be honest. :) Thanks

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome! Glad that this one could help with some breakthroughs. Keep us updated on your journey :D. And here's to a productive break!

[@allisonkim3694]

Devlin I just finished watching this. Again, more great content from you -- we learn so much from you! Thank you for making this, I feel like now I have other things I feel I should revamp with my current project you are helping me edit! I will be using the new template you sent out just to re-process things and get my head back in the game after being sick for so long. Thanks again for your expertise and creating this!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome, Allison! Looking forward to seeing how things go with the new template, and thanks for checking out this video :D

[@kanchanasrani2000]

Thank you for the wonderful inputs. I am also getting started on my Portfolio.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! Sounds like you’re on the right track 😃

[@Zeroshoofly]

Thanks Dev!!!! Love you!

[@jackielaroga5408]

Thank you for these precious information. ❤

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the support 😃

[@glass12full23]

I now have some direction and criteria to go from. This was super helpful ... thanks so much!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re so welcome! Thanks for watching 😃

[@himanisaini5790]

Thanks for this comprehensive video.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching :D

[@TheJosiephene]

This was so helpful. Thanks so much!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching :D

[@joshuafell619]

This is excellent, practical content, thanks for sharing!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the support 😃

[@Crowka274]

OUTSTANDING! MR. PECK.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks! I appreciate the support :D

[@wmmcgrailjr2000]

Another great video on choosing projects for your portfolio. All of Devlin's and his staff videos are helpful for new and experienced instructional designers.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Kind of you to say :D Thanks for watching!!

[@annmarieedwards6163]

Great video! 👍 Thanks for sharing.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@cristinarivas915]

SO HELPFUL. Is there an active community where people discuss these ideas/learning together? I haven't seen any active ones. Wish I could afford the bootcamp but it isn't in the cards for now. That interactivity and community helps so much when learning new things and needing feedback. I think I have a decent idea finally (took ages to get there) and need to review some of your videos so I can start to plan out a project more solidly. Thanks for your continued help!

[@InstructionalDesignsbyFoster]

This video was very helpful. I am getting a master in Instructional design, and want to take this time during the summer to work on a portfolio. This video provided me with the perfect blueprint to start my projects.Thank you.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re very welcome! I’m glad that you enjoyed it, and we look forward to helping you how we can with your portfolio 😃

[@JessieCarty]

Well this is definitely timely for me as I try to decide on my flagship project idea. The more I study instructional design, the more I see overlaps with other areas. For example, you talk about identifying your client (or potential client) and this closely ties to the basics of audience analysis but also the marketing tool of creating customer personas. Perhaps even the UI/UX process as well? I think I have too many ideas right now and a few I had already started some work on during my Storyline practice. Decisions!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Yes, ID is very interdisciplinary so there is a lot of overlap, especially with UX! Feel free to run your ideas by us in the Slack or at one of the bootcamp weekly workshops and we will discuss :D

[@yohanesliong4818]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks for watching!

[@mascos69]

you should have over a 100k views with this kind of content! 👊

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Haha thanks so much, Mark! I appreciate that :D

[@ameliamatteliano3835]

Thanks for everything. :)

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the support 😃

[@flagshipbuilds]

Good video!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks Faizan!

[@tia9966]

Practicing usuing Rise 360 now. This is right on time.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Oh great! The flagship project would likely be created with Storyline, but they're both good tools to learn and show off in your portfolio :D

[@tia9966]

@@DevlinPeckYT ok, thanks for letting me know.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

@@tia9966 You're welcome :)

[@Nimaney]

Hi Devlin, I am definitely a better educator because of your videos! Thank you so much for all of your valuable work on KZbin. Do you know someone/a company that needs an instructional product (using Captivate)? I want to update my portfolio and am willing to develop the training for them (free of charge). Please let me know by replying to this comment!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Hi Nima! I am so glad that you've been enjoying the content :D. I do not know anyone who needs a Captivate project, but feel free to join us in the community space and ask around :D www.devlinpeck.com/id

[@Pritha879]

Devlin, could you please make a video on Game based learning as a career and learning analytics ?

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Good suggestion, Pritha, thank you!!

[@techielabteacher]

This video was super helpful as I help teachers going into ID who are trying to get noticed by recruiters. I personally, have my personal (3) projects on the LinkedIn feature section of my profile. But I like the idea of a flagship project and having that on a portfolio site. Question: Would it benefit if the person had their flagship project on their LinkedIn feature area if they do not have a portfolio at this time? Or should they go ahead a build a Google site and place it there?

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks Reba! I appreciate you checking it out :D. I think including a flagship project in the featured section on your LinkedIn could work well! Showing off the skills one project at a time is effective, even without a full portfolio website ready :). A website is good when ready because it's your own personal corner of the web where you can send people (from resumes, DMs, LinkedIn, etc)

[@sohyunlee1667]

Hi Devlin! I appreciate all your content. I am currently trying Articulate 360 (Rise and Storyline) only on a trial period and want to publish these projects for my first portfolio as an ID. I have experienced in L&D area but it is my first portfolio as an ID. Can I publish these contents before trial expires for the website and also can I revise them after publish these contents without recreating it? I am not ready to buy Articulate 360 yet. Anyone can help with this question, really appreciate it!

[@homegirlcookies8888]

Hello! Thanks so much for the wealth of knowledge you provide through your channel. It is MUCH appreciated! I do have a question, however. I am a prior teacher diving deep into researching the ID field. I'm hooked. As I prepare to plan for concept projects to add to a portfolio, I am a little stuck on "acceptable" authoring tools I can use to build them. I have a Mac, so I don't have easy access to Storyline at the moment unless I bite the bullet and purchase what's needed to run Windows. I know there are free trials to Storyline, but not having Windows to run it is the hurdle. It's SO hard to justify spending so much money for portfolio building and new ID practice. :/ Would it be considered unprofessional to build out projects using tools like Google Suites and Canva? I have EVERY desire to learn tools like Storyline and Vyond and have been watching all kinds of tutorials on them. Is it a deal breaker to not use those tools out of the gate for the projects in my portfolio? Thanks so much!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks for asking this! From what we've seen from hiring managers, Storyline in one of the most desired authoring tools for IDs, though knowing others won't hurt you. This tutorial might help you get Storyline running on your Mac if you want to give it a shot: www.devlinpeck.com/content/storyline-mac-m1

[@qstuff5268]

Thank you for another great video, Devlin. This information is very useful. Question...can software training be a niche? (I like edtech, legaltech and healthcare/medical-related technology). If so, what do you propose I include in my portfolio? Thank you. 😀

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You're welcome! And yes, for sure. Including software simulations built with tools like Articulate Storyline or Adobe Captivate would be a good idea. Maybe a gamified one to set it apart even further and show off your development skills. You could also look into DAPs like WalkMe since many teams use those for software training these days :D

[@qstuff5268]

@@DevlinPeckYT Wonderful! Thank you so much for responding. Will certainly look into DAPs.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

@@qstuff5268 You're welcome! Happy to help :D

[@mammamiab2715]

Great video as always! Unrelated question...what are your thoughts about ageism in this field? I am an elementary school teacher in my 50's and am so interested in this field, but I'm not sure if it's worth pursuing if companies generally will not consider someone who is "older" and looking to switch careers. I realize it's hard to speak for all companies, but I'm curious as to your experience and thoughts.

[@cristinarivas915]

have had the same concerns but hoping my project is impressive enough (once i do it) that it negates those fears

[@kellyl5349]

This is very helpful, thank you. If we create a concept project for our portfolio in Articulate Storyline during a free-trial period, will hiring managers still be able to access it after the trial ends?

[@DevlinPeckYT]

You’re welcome! And yes, as long as you publish it for the web before your trial is over, you’ll be able to share it indefinitely 😃. No watermarks or anything either!

[@kellyl5349]

@@DevlinPeckYT Thanks!

[@ziziqadir4170]

Hi Devlin, do you have any suggestion for tools to Create and edit "short videos" for "social media"? how about your opinion about Design and create flyers, images to promote program material- for "website AND/ OR social media? Thanks so much if you response and guide me in detail as always!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Hi! Good questions. I use Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing, but there are many tools out there. A lot of people in the field use Camtasia. As far as creating print-based documents, Adobe InDesign is good. And you can use Illustrator and / or Photoshop for editing vector graphics and photos.

[@shitalmahale16]

Hello devlin.... Actually I need to do s project to complete ID course.... As m from teaching background.... I reall got confused how to do it..... That project it's just like ppt ir anything else?

[@NDemanuele1]

This is helpful. I'm assuming the answer is going to be Yes, do these portfolio items need to be complete? Is it ok if they are not complete? Also, how do you know if your portfolio is 'good enough' ? Thanks!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Good questions, Norbert. You may find success just showing visual mockups instead of the final product, but you will want to exhibit eLearning development skills somewhere in your portfolio if you don't do so here. And it can make a bigger impact if people can experience the project for themselves (even if it's just a couple of questions...such as a prototype instead of the full experience). And I would suggest getting as much feedback as you can on your portfolio. You will know it's good enough when you start getting more positive feedback and you see an impact either on the job market or in the number of leads who reach out to you with client work and comment on your portfolio :D

[@NDemanuele1]

Thanks Devlin! I have received feedback on mine through a group on Linkedin and got discouraged. Although it's constructive, I do get self-conscious about it. Also to see how great other portfolios are, can't resist comparing mine...LOL. I did take a break from it and now am revisiting ID.

[@DevlinPeckYT]

@@NDemanuele1 Yes, it can be tough when you put yourself out there and don't get the feedback that you were expecting. My best suggestion would be to separate yourself from your work. Progress is better than perfection, and feedback is love. The people who take the time to give you feedback just want you to succeed, and as long as you can take that feedback and apply some of it (at least the feedback you agree with or from those that you trust), then you will be moving in the right direction :D

[@ridac9582]

What if you’re interested in creating educational applications? What programs can you use

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Good question, Rida! Glide Apps is a good way to quickly and easily create apps from a Google Sheet. There are similar tools to that, too :)

[@momizaidi]

How do you include the articulate rise project in the portfolio? I only have trail articulate, it will go away, fyi.

[@bks002]

I am fresher in ID, with 15 years experience in customer service industry. How do I design my portfolio, as I have no experience in this field, but wish to start my career

[@sarayari3495]

Hello, what does the meaning of " heads up for the user? I heard somewhere from you! I'm not sure that phrase was in the storyline lab or somewhere else!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Good question, Sara. I'm not sure what I may have been referring to exactly, but if I said "give a heads up to the user," I likely meant "make sure to let the user know..." Sorry for using slang like this! I will continue trying to be more clear / global in my communication :D.

[@sarayari3495]

@@DevlinPeckYT oh my god this is a slag! im not native and even not professional in speaking as usual, yet!! thanks)) by the way why I can't see and find your portfolio in your website! NOW I NEED IT! please

[@DevlinPeckYT]

@@sarayari3495 no worries at all! And you can go to www.devlinpeck.com/portfolio. Sorry, I took it out of the navbar to highlight the showcase instead! Since all of my work has been helping people build their portfolios lately 😃

[@sarayari3495]

@@DevlinPeckYT

[@michaelhorn7290]

How do you find an ID problem to solve for a company ?

[@melissamiraglia4988]

When designing instructional materials for adults it's important to know why and how adults learn. Teachers in K-12 aren't trained in adult learning.

[@jasonmc88]

How do you add nice subtitles to your videos?

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Thanks for asking, Jason. Do you mean in a tool like Storyline?

[@jasonmc88]

@@DevlinPeckYT Thanks Devlin - I mean for your KZbin videos. I think you mentioned once you use OBS to record - then how do you add captions? Do you do that prior to uploading to KZbin? Thanks!

[@DevlinPeckYT]

@@jasonmc88 Ah, good question. We add captions in KZbin so that people can turn them on / off as needed :D

[@jasonmc88]

@@DevlinPeckYT nice - do you do that manually?

[@DevlinPeckYT]

@@jasonmc88 Someome on my team uses a tool called Descript and then manually cleans it up before bringing it back into KZbin 😃

[@asteroidmonger]

My thing is, how am I supposed to learn course authoring with how expensive Articulate is??

[@DevlinPeckYT]

Good question! They have a free trial that you can use to learn the tool and create portfolio projects 😃

[@asteroidmonger]

@@DevlinPeckYT Thank you for your reply, Devlin! I was intimidated by the fact that the trials are not long enough to build real competency. But then I resolved to do as many trials as needed to skill up. I'd like to ask one more question if you can get to it! Where do I host a SCORM for my portfolio if I want to show off a full Storyline module?