ID Brief for Interactive eLearning

Title or Topic of Module/Lesson:​ Gear Selection

Designer’s Name:​ Ryan Quesenberry
Time:​ 7-10 Minutes

General Overview/Need:​ The Los Angeles Road Runners (LARR) is the official
training team for the Los Angeles Marathon and each year trains dozens of amateur
runners to complete their first marathon. This is primarily done through hosting weekly
“long runs” of varying distance between 6 and 22 miles. As someone who recently
completed training for my fifth marathon with LARR I have been able to both observe
and experience some of the shortcomings of their program, specifically that they are not
able to successfully convey information to novice marathoners that will make their
26.2-mile journey less of an ordeal.
On race day, or first-time marathoners, they should arrive at the race with the
knowledge necessary to have a good 26.2 miles, free of self-inflicted and/or avoidable
obstacles. This can be accomplished by providing information and training prospective
marathoners on topics important to their marathon success.
Running a marathon should, and will be, a physically exhausting experience it
should not be a painful and/or negative experience. The problem is despite receiving
adequate physical training to allow novice runners to complete a marathon, novice
runners are still encountering avoidable negative issues such as cramping, dehydration,
chafing and equipment problems during their marathon.
The goal of this project is to address the gap in knowledge between first time
marathoners and experienced marathoners. Experienced marathoners have either
acquired this knowledge from others or “the hard way” on their own. But this gap could
be easily addressed with training that is easily accessible to those training for their first
marathon.
I believe there are a couple reasons for this knowledge gap:
● The Los Angeles Road Runners (LARR) is a program run by the for-profit
“Conqur Endurance Group” their motivation is to have as many people pay
to enter their races (The Santa Monica Classic 5K & 10K , The Pasadena
Half Marathon, & The Los Angeles Marathon) as possible. LARR is a
program to physically train runners so they are capable of finishing longer
races such as the ones Conqur markets. So their focus is not necessarily
on the runners well-being, but on their own bottom line.
● While there are experienced USATF coaches, and marathoners who lead
the LARR training program none, that I am aware of, have a background
in education or instructional design. When information is being shared it is
in a lecture format to those who chose to stay after their Saturday long
training run

Why an online training?

Having​ ​the non-physical portion of marathon training separated from the physical would
likely increase participation and improve outcomes. In addition having the training
online will allow learners to proceed through the training at their own pace, and more
receptive to training than immediately following a long run.

Audience:​ There is not a specific profile among those currently training with the Los
Angeles Road Runners and Los Angeles Running Club. They vary in age from
seventeen to early eighties, although the largest population is probably in their forties
and skews female. Like the age range, I suspect education also varies greatly. I have
come to this assumption of the education ranges due to the professions I have come to
know of those I have trained with. They include a bartender, a neurosurgeon, a
mechanic, and at least three lawyers. English is the first language of most, but not all
runners in the LARR. Enrollment to the LARC and LARR is done primarily online, so it
can be assumed that most if not all participates have some form of internet access and
ability to operate a personal computer.

Learning objectives
By the end of the module learners should know the following:

● Given described weather conditions learners will be able to select the appropriate
running gear with 100% accuracy
● From memory learners will be able to describe the optimum material choice for
running clothing.

Assessment

Assessment will be done through via testing their knowledge related to each objective.
This will be done through a combination of true/false and multiple choice questions.

Instructional Strategies

Instruction for this module will be done with a connectivist approach. This will be
implemented by providing learners links to information relevant to the instructional
goals. This includes reading materials and informative videos.
Resources
Materials to be included in this module will be a combination of original content created
in mAuthor, and existing readings and videos that support the instructional goal.
Additional resources to be used include the following software and hardware.

● Word Processor (Microsoft Word/Google Docs)

● Google Forms
● Adobe Photoshop
● Camtasia
● mAuthor
● Digital Camera
● USB Microphone