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Learning LinkedIn: Profile Pictures
Overview
“Learning LinkedIn: Profile Pictures” is an interactive e-module that was created to address a gap in existing training content on LinkedIn optimization.
As an instructional designer for the Graduate Career Services at the College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota, I noticed a lack of open-access tutorials for professionals looking to optimize their LinkedIn profiles. To fill this gap, I reached out to a LinkedIn expert, and we collaborated to create a course series about different components of LinkedIn profiles. This course is the first in a series and is designed to help learners choose a professional and effective profile picture for their LinkedIn profile.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, learners will be able to:
- Identify what makes a good profile picture,
- Select a professional and effective profile picture for their LinkedIn profile,
- Use Canva and a color picker tool to enhance their profile picture.
Primary and Secondary Audience
This module was designed to help K-12 teachers and academics transitioning out of the higher ed industry to optimize their LinkedIn profiles.
However, it is also suitable for anyone who wants to learn how to choose a professional and effective profile picture for their LinkedIn page. To make sure the content is accessible to everyone, I used a conversational language, avoided jargon, and focused on providing practical advice and examples.
Instructional design approach
The module is learner-centered, interactive, and fun, featuring engaging activities and knowledge checks that reinforce the key concepts.
I used multiple examples to demonstrate the do’s and don’ts of profile pictures and provided step-by-step tutorials using tools like Canva and a color picker.
The final assessment requires learners to apply what they learned by helping a fictional character, Gloria, choose her profile picture.
Accessibility considerations
“Learning LinkedIn: Profile Pictures” was designed with accessibility in mind, to ensure that all learners, including those with disabilities, can participate in the learning experience.
The course was built to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards, which include considerations for users with visual, hearing, and mobility impairments. There are closed captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions to ensure that learners with hearing impairments can access the content. The use of color and contrast was also considered to ensure that the course is visually accessible for learners with color vision disabilities. Additionally, the course was designed to be compatible with screen readers and keyboard navigation to accommodate learners with mobility impairments.
Assessment and evaluation
To ensure the course was effective in meeting its learning outcomes, I employed a variety of assessment methods, including quizzes and surveys. The quizzes throughout the course provided low-stakes opportunities for learners to check their understanding and apply their new knowledge. The final assessment requires learners to apply their learning to a realistic scenario where they helped a fictional character, Gloria, choose her profile picture.
In addition to these assessments, we also conducted surveys to gather feedback from learners about their experience with the course. We used this feedback to improve the course and make it more effective for future learners. The surveys covered various aspects of the course, including the content, the instructional design approach, and the overall learning experience.
success stories
Since its release, “Learning LinkedIn: Profile Pictures” has received positive feedback from learners who have found the module practical, engaging, and useful in their job search and career advancement.
One learner commented, “I never knew that so much thought could go into selecting a profile picture! This course was eye-opening and has helped me make a much better first impression on LinkedIn.”
Another learner said, “The interactive elements and examples in this course made it easy to understand and apply the concepts. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to optimize their LinkedIn profile.”
One notable success story for “Learning LinkedIn” is my interview with Dr. Luke Hobson on his instructional design podcast, where I discussed the collaborative work I did with a LinkedIn expert on this project. The podcast episode (“An Inside Look at the Instructional Designer and Subject Matter Expert (SME) Partnership“) received positive feedback and sparked interest from other instructional designers and educators.
Experience the module
Ready to experience the module for yourself?
Click the “Launch Learning LinkedIn: Profile Pictures” button to access the module and start learning about optimizing your LinkedIn profile.
Saeide Mirzaei
Instructional Designer
All works on this website by Saeide Mirzaei are licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. The Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) grants visitors to this website the right to share and distribute the works by Saeide Mirzaei found on this website, as long as they give appropriate credit, do not use them for commercial purposes, and do not modify or create derivative works based on them. This license provides a clear and simple way for visitors to use and share the content on this website while protecting the integrity of the original works.
Saeide Mirzaei
Instructional Designer
All works on this website by Saeide Mirzaei are licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. The Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) grants visitors to this website the right to share and distribute the works by Saeide Mirzaei found on this website, as long as they give appropriate credit, do not use them for commercial purposes, and do not modify or create derivative works based on them. This license provides a clear and simple way for visitors to use and share the content on this website while protecting the integrity of the original works.
Saeide Mirzaei
Instructional Designer
All works on this website by Saeide Mirzaei are licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. The Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) grants visitors to this website the right to share and distribute the works by Saeide Mirzaei found on this website, as long as they give appropriate credit, do not use them for commercial purposes, and do not modify or create derivative works based on them. This license provides a clear and simple way for visitors to use and share the content on this website while protecting the integrity of the original works.