Inspiration and Design Journey
Initially, I planned to build a Roblox game aimed at teaching kids about scams. This project was meaningful to me because I grew up getting scammed by older kids in the online MMORPG, RuneScape, and I can’t stand seeing people get scammed in real life. However, as my commitments outside the classroom grew, it became challenging to dedicate the continuous, focused hours for this kind of project. Light, sporadic work sessions weren’t yielding meaningful progress, and having to repeatedly scale down the project made me lose motivation. It was no longer my original vision.
Realizing the need to pivot, I searched for another project that was both personally meaningful and feasible within my time constraints. This led me to SmileQuest, an idea that stems from my personal experiences with oral health. Growing up, my family didn’t believe in visiting the dentist. Our oral hygiene routine was limited to brushing our teeth and using alcohol-based mouthwash—a practice I later learned can be detrimental. Flossing wasn’t in the picture. Eventually, I was diagnosed with mild gum disease, which, although now stable, is something I have to manage for life. This experience instilled in me a desire to develop strong oral habits and pass this knowledge down to others. I never fail to tell my friends about the importance of visiting the dentist and flossing.
Project Description
SmileQuest is an interactive, narrative-based eBook series designed for children aged 6-8, focusing on teaching essential oral health habits. Each entry in the series addresses a specific aspect of oral care—the first book emphasizes the importance of brushing. By leaning heavily into narrative, the series creates a character-driven world where children learn about oral health practices through engaging stories.
The goal of SmileQuest is to inspire kids to think about their own oral health habits rather than directly instructing them on specific techniques. By presenting relatable characters and scenarios, children can organically learn the value of good oral hygiene in a way that is both entertaining and educational.
What I’ve Learned About Learning Design
Throughout this process, I’ve learned that maintaining passion and enjoyment is crucial in learning design. When I’m not having fun creating a project, it becomes evident in the final product, and users are less likely to engage positively. Designing SmileQuest reinforced the importance of aligning my personal interests with practical feasibility. By choosing a medium I’m familiar with—writing and publishing books—I was able to create something both enjoyable and attainable within my time constraints.
I’ve also realized that effective learning experiences don’t necessarily require complex technology or elaborate designs. What’s most important is how well the content resonates with the audience. By focusing on storytelling and relatable characters, I’ve aimed to create an educational tool that inspires children to think about their oral health habits in a natural and engaging way.
Finally, this project has taught me the value of adaptability. In reassessing my goals and resources, I pivoted from the Roblox game to SmileQuest, ultimately leading to a more feasible and impactful project.
