Bridging Neuroscience, Instructional Design, and Technology to Create Training that Sticks!
Fairytale Syllabus: Motivating Learners via Audio
Using the Power of Audio to Motivate Learners
Project Goal:
To create a 8-10 minute audio syllabus tailored to the needs of blind and visually impaired students at Duke University, while maintaining an engaging and inclusive experience for all learners.
Target Audience:
Students at Duke University who are enrolled in Dr. Norberg's online course, "Fairy Tales from Grimm’s to Disney"
Learning Outcomes:
​Upon completion of the Fairytale Syllabus, students will be able to:
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Recall the course assignments
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Recall important dates
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Summarize the course expectations
Learning Methodologies:
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Multimodal Learning Theory to reduce cognitive load by focusing on one cognitive processing channel (auditory), leading to deeper understanding and improved recall
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​Storytelling to enhance engagement, to make the learning more relatable, and to encourage emotional connections with the learning content - promoting easier recall and increased retention of key ideas
Project Details:
​Dr. Norberg, the client and course instructor, teaches an online class called, "Fairy Tales: from Grimm to Disney" which teaches students about the history and cultural impact of fairy tales. He requested an audio-based syllabus that would enhance accessibility without compromising engagement, ensuring that all students—regardless of visual ability—would be able to connect with the material in a meaningful way.
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I began by drafting a script based on Dr. Norberg’s print-based syllabus, ensuring that all original content was included in the audio version. To elevate the listening experience, I embraced the fairy tale theme, incorporating:
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Poetic Narration – Enhancing emotional connection and relatability
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Original Soundtrack – Driving learner engagement with personalized lyrics
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Whimsical Sound Effects – Creating excitement and reinforcing key concepts
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Multimodal Learning Strategies – Supporting learner recall and comprehension
Using Adobe Audition, I recorded and refined the narration, carefully removing distractions such as clicks and background noise. To enrich the experience further, I composed an original soundtrack using the AI-powered platform suno.com, which I seamlessly integrated into the project. I then layered strategic sound effects to reinforce key ideas and provide audio cues that help structure the content. Final touches included panning, volume envelopes, and other audio enhancements to ensure a polished, professional, and immersive learning experience (see screenshot below). This approach transformed a traditional syllabus into an engaging, inclusive, and memorable auditory experience, making learning more accessible and exciting for all students.
