Enhancing Health & Safety Training at the Science Faculty

Given that this training is a legal requirement for anyone accessing the faculty laboratories or using hazardous equipment, the new solution had to ensure that all participants understood and complied with safety protocols, thereby minimising the risk of accidents. 

Our Approach at LLInC 

Leveraging our expertise in learning design, graphic design, and development, the LLInC team was well-positioned to create a comprehensive e-learning module to address these challenges. 

The project’s objective was clear: to develop an interactive and engaging training module which met all mandatory requirements. Moreover, it had to use clear and accessible language (in both English and Dutch) which would be comprehensible for native and non-native speakers across the university. 

Key Challenges and Requirements 

The project posed several requirements which guided its development: 

• Platform Compatibility: Brightspace, in combination with Articulate Rise, was selected as the delivery platform due to its widespread use at the university. 
• User-Friendly Design: In order to motivate users, the training needed to transform a mandatory task into an engaging learning experience.
• Ease of Maintenance: As the faculty would manage updates independently in the future, the module had to be flexible and easy to update.  
• On-Demand Access: To accommodate the diverse schedules of staff and students, the training had to be continuously accessible. 

Project Implementation 

Following initial discussions, the faculty approved our proposal and the project began with a comprehensive planning phase. A kick-off meeting was held to align stakeholder expectations, ensuring clarity on project goals and deliverables. 

Central to the development process were Learning Experience Design (LED) sessions, which helped shape the e-learning module. These sessions enabled the team to adopt the perspective of the end users, fostering a deeper understanding of their needs. The LED sessions have consistently proven effective in guiding course design at LLInC, helping course creators develop solutions that are both relevant and user-centric. 

The project team, including learning designers Agnesa Gashi, Aayushi Shah, Chantal de Beun, and Yentl Croese played a key role during this phase, steering the project in the right direction. 

Infographic showcasing the main message of the module. Design by Slim Plot.

Development and Completion 

The module’s development was overseen by Mitchell de Jong, our media specialist, who ensured that all infographics and videos adhered to the project’s goals and were visually engaging. The graphic design work itself was done by Vincent de Mees, owner of Slim Plot. 

After several months of dedicated work, the pilot module was completed. The project team from the Science Faculty expressed their satisfaction and enthusiasm for the outcome, laying a strong foundation for future modules to be developed. 

The development of the new health and safety training module marks an important step forward in ensuring a safer and more informed environment at the Science Faculty. Although specific data is not yet available, the new system is expected to deliver significant improvements in knowledge retention, compliance rates, and user engagement. By shifting to an interactive e-learning format with mandatory registration and tracking features, the training addresses critical challenges while making the learning experience more engaging and accessible. As the faculty continues to build on this success, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that enhance learning experiences and uphold the highest standards of safety and compliance. 

Stills from the module, showcasing how information is made accessible and easy to digest. Design by Slim Plot.