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Communication for Saying “No” Professionally

This project is a blended mini-course designed to support college students and early-career professionals in developing assertive communication skills in workplace environments.

The course focuses on helping learners navigate situations where saying “no” feels difficult due to social pressure, workplace dynamics, or cultural expectations.

Tools Used

Canvas LMS | Video-editing | Canva | AI-supported drafting and workflows

Category

Professional Learning

My Role

Learning Designer | Project Manager | Curriculum Developer

I led:

• Curriculum design and structure
• Scenario development and scripting
• Multimedia planning and video design
• Accessibility integration across all modules

Testimonials & Feedback

Testimonials include feedback from clients, instructors, and peers across both professional and academic projects.

"Your content is spot on, visually engaging, and incredibly easy to navigate. The assertiveness toolkit is especially strong, and the role play activities and Padlet journal create meaningful opportunities for reflection and community. I also appreciated the accessibility features, including transcripts and clear structure. Even the quiz reinforced your message effectively—this was a thoughtful, well-executed learning experience.”
- Alexis Bjelica, Instructor

The Challenge

Many learners struggle to say “no” due to:

• Fear of disappointing others
• Workplace power dynamics
• Cultural and gender expectations
• Lack of practical language for assertive communication

The challenge was to design a learning experience that felt:

✔ Safe
✔ Relatable
✔ Actionable

Not just theoretical.

Evidence of Impact

• Designed for psychological accessibility, helping learners navigate discomfort and build confidence in real-world communication scenarios

• Improved learner engagement through relatable scenarios and applied practice (not just theory)

• Supported diverse communication styles by offering multiple ways to engage (reflection, examples, scripts)

• Used AI to generate and iterate scenarios, while refining tone and emotional nuance through human judgment

Design Approach

I designed this course as a blended, interactive learning experience that combines:

• Short, self-paced modules
• Real-world scenarios and role-play
• Reflective activities and discussions
• A live workshop for applied practice

Content was structured into 5 progressive modules, moving from awareness → practice → real-world application

Accessibility in Practice

Accessibility in this course extends beyond technical design, as it also includes emotional and psychological accessibility.

Key practices included:

• Applying UDL principles through multiple content formats
• Offering written examples, videos, and downloadable templates
• Structuring modules into short, manageable sections
• Using plain language and clear instructions
• Providing captions and transcripts for all videos
• Designing mobile-responsive content

The course also prioritizes psychological safety, recognizing that assertiveness can be culturally and emotionally complex.

AI as a Design Partner

AI was used to support clarity, inclusivity, and efficiency during development.

AI-supported tasks included:

• Drafting and refining scenario dialogue
• Improving tone for inclusivity and cultural sensitivity
• Identifying ambiguous or unclear instructions
• Assisting with iterative revisions

All outputs were reviewed to ensure alignment with human-centered communication and learning goals.

Key Features

• 5-module structured learning experience
• Scenario-based learning and role-play activities
• Interactive discussions and reflective journaling
• Live workshop for applied communication practice
• Downloadable “Say No” toolkit for real-world use

Outcome

The final product is a practical, learner-centered communication course that:

• Builds confidence in professional boundary-setting
• Provides real, usable language for workplace scenarios
• Supports learners through both reflection and practice
• Creates a safe space for skill development

Reflection

This project reinforced that accessibility is not only visual or structural, but is also emotional and contextual.

Designing for assertive communication required sensitivity to:

• Identity
• Workplace dynamics
• Learner confidence

AI tools supported efficiency, but human oversight was essential to preserve authenticity and nuance in communication.

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