Make it stand out
Cycle Syncing 101
Why I created it
I created this project to help individuals understand and optimize their health by aligning their lifestyle with their natural menstrual cycles. The project addresses the lack of accessible education about cycle syncing which affects millions of individuals with menstrual cycles. Most people with periods aren't aware that adapting their diet, exercise, and self-care routines to their cycle phases can significantly improve their wellbeing.
This project let me develop my skills in instructional design, interactive eLearning development, and health education content creation. I specifically wanted to improve how I create engaging, personalized learning experiences that translate complex physiological concepts into practical daily actions.
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Project Details
Date: April 2024
Brief: Learn Articulate storyline and create one module for a course
Topic: Women’s Health
Duration: 2 weeks
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Tools Used
Articulate Storyline
Canva
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Skills
Accessibility
eLearning Authoring
Articulate Storyline
Instructional Design
Project overview
This project is the first part of a larger course about adapting your lifestyle to your menstrual cycle. It teaches people how to track their periods and make smart lifestyle changes based on their hormonal shifts.
As the eLearning Designer, I was responsible for all aspects of the project including content research, instructional design, interactive element creation, and implementation in Articulate Storyline.
The challenge was creating something that works for everyone's unique cycle patterns while still giving solid, research-backed advice that helps many people - and I had to finish it all during Articulate Storyline's free trial period.
Learning Objectives
This module addresses one measurable learning objective:
Identify the four menstrual cycle phases and the hormonal changes associated with each phase
Demo
Design
Key Instructional strategies included:
Using Inner Seasons as a simple framework to make cycle phases more memorable
Interactive timeline associated with seasons to show how the process follows the Seasons
Interactive knowledge checks at the end of each module to reinforce learning
I relied heavily on my Project Plan while developing this module. I created this a year ago before I finetuned my design process. Back then, I relied only on my storyboards created in Google Docs. I experimented with different visual assets directly in the authoring tool.
For the color palette, I chose muted lighter blues, pinks, and greens. These colors are calming and pair well with the theme of women’s health and understanding the body.
I tried to establish consistency by using similar illustrations.
Implementation
The final module was published through Articulate Storyline and made available as a web-based learning experience.
Tools and Technologies
Articulate Storyline
Canva
Google Docs
Interactive Elements
Key interactive elements included:
Cycle phase identification quiz using symptom descriptions
Drag-and-Drop Inner season/Cycle practice
Interactive slider to show progression through the phases
Accessibility considerations:
Alt text for all images and diagrams
Transcripts for any audio components
High contrast options for text elements
Keyboard navigation support for all interactive elements
This was my first Storyline project and it was overwhelming learning about the mechanics of the program. I struggled with learning how to use the triggers and finding consistent assets. I also struggled with placing content boxes consistently throughout the course. Another challenge was explaining complicated hormone information in a simple way without making it too basic. I solved this by gradually revealing information and using explanations with different levels of detail.
For future versions, I'd consider:
Creating structure templates before going straight into development
Creating a mobile version so users can track their cycles and get advice on the go
Adding discussion features where people can talk with other learners in a safe space about their menstrual cycles
Including more content about specific health issues that affect periods
Finishing the complete course and adding printable PDF tracking sheets
Reflections and Future Iterations
Competencies
This project showcases these key competencies:
Instructional design for sensitive health topics
Creation of scenario-based learning experiences
Development of interactive eLearning elements
Visual design that enhances learning objectives
Design of assessments that measure practical application
Balancing scientific accuracy with accessibility