Public Health 565 Interactive Scenarios: Anytown U.S.A
Software Used
Adobe Illustrator, Articulate Storyline
The Challenge
For Public Health 565, the capstone course in the Master of Public Health program at West Coast University, students needed a way to demonstrate their comprehension and apply the knowledge and skills they had gained throughout the program. The challenge was to design a creative learning experience that would allow students to put theory into practice in a way that felt both realistic and engaging.
The Solution
To meet this need, I developed an interactive, scenario-based course in which students take on the role of a Department of Health employee in “Anytown, U.S.A.”—a community struggling with the dual challenges of economic decline and opioid abuse. Each week, students engage with different community members to address public health concerns, analyze information, and propose interventions. This immersive approach provided a practical environment for students to synthesize learning and demonstrate mastery at the culmination of their degree.
The Results
Post-course surveys revealed strong outcomes, with 95% of students reporting a positive learning experience after the initial launch. Feedback requesting more mobile-friendly activities was quickly implemented, improving accessibility and engagement in future runs. Most importantly, 100% of students successfully completed and passed the capstone course in its first offering, demonstrating both the effectiveness of the design and its alignment with program goals.
