Learning by Design: Aquarium Kumu Training

The purpose of this instructional design project was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an online instructional module for training volunteers regarding marine biology at the Waikīkī Aquarium. The creation of a learning module to be completed by all appropriate volunteers provides consistency in content delivery, a higher level of accountability, a greater level of familiarity with pertinent information, as well as increased confidence with visitors. Waikīkī Aquarium Education Volunteers, known as Kumus, are volunteers who specialize in malacology, or the study of marine molluscs. Learning marine biology is an important part of providing a positive educational experience for Aquarium visitors. There was no formal online training program for Aquarium Kumus, and educational technology serves to bridge this gap, helping learners who have grown up using technology to stay engaged and focused in challenging topics. The modules were created using Canvas, a learning management system, as well as a combination of tools including: Google Docs, Screencastify, and YouTube. A constructivist design approach combined with proven multimedia learning principles were integrated into the design. This study involved eleven college level participants, with data analyzed and reported through the use of statistical and descriptive analysis. The results of the data indicated that after completing the online training modules, participants’ knowledge of marine biology increased.

This study supports the effectiveness of online learning in the museum field when teaching specific content knowledge to volunteer educators. To view the online course, please utilize this Canvas URL link: https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/6JLMNL to self-enroll and participate in the course.