Challenge C: OER
By: Kushank, Nihal, Khushi
WEBSITE
https://nihalrt.github.io/beginner-ppl-guide/#
Understand (Discover, Interpret, Specify)
The Challenge:
Many beginners struggle to follow a clear, structured strength training plan. Without guidance, it’s hard to build consistent habits, see progress, and feel confident in the gym.
Context and Audience:
Our main audience is the “curious but cautious beginner.” This person, usually between 18 and 35, wants to get stronger, build muscle, or improve their overall health. They may already have a gym membership or be thinking about joining one, but they don’t have much experience with structured workouts. Their biggest roadblock is “gymtimidation”- the fear of doing exercises incorrectly or being judged by others.
This learner needs simplicity and clarity. They’re not looking for scientific explanations- they just want a plan that’s easy to follow and actually works. Their goal is to feel capable, stick to a routine, and notice small but encouraging improvements in strength and confidence.
Most of our audience gets their fitness information from social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. They’re constantly seeing advanced workouts and “quick fixes,” which can make them feel overwhelmed or behind. Our resource aims to cut through that noise and provide something authentic, supportive, and realistic.
At one extreme, an example user could be a high school athlete who’s only trained for sports like basketball or track and doesn’t know how to start a general strength routine. On the other end, it could be an adult over 50 who’s new to fitness and mainly focused on safety and mobility, needing a very gentle introduction to strength training.
POV Statement:
A new gym-goer who feels overwhelmed by conflicting information needs a clear, simple, and visual workout plan that helps them build consistency, gain confidence, and understand the purpose behind their exercises.
Learning Objectives
After using this resource, learners should be able to:
- Define what a “Push, Pull, Legs” (PPL) split is.
- Explain, in simple terms, why grouping muscles by movement (pushing and pulling) is an effective way to train and recover.
- Identify the main muscles worked on each training day.
- Recognize 2-3 key exercises for each “Push,” “Pull,” and “Leg” day.
- Easily find the “Push,” “Pull,” and “Leg Day” sections to follow their daily workout.
‘Hidden’ Learning Objectives: - Reduce feelings of gym intimidation by providing a straightforward, visual guide.
- Help learners feel more confident performing basic exercises.
- Encourage long-term consistency and motivation by making strength training approachable and rewarding.
Plan (Ideate, Sketch, Elaborate)
Ideation:
During our brainstorming sessions, our team decided to design a resource that helps beginners understand and follow a structured strength training plan. We wanted to solve a real problem: people who want to start working out but feel lost, intimidated, or unsure where to begin.
We started by listing common barriers new gym-goers face: fear of judgment, confusion around workouts, inconsistent habits, and overwhelming online fitness advice. After some discussion, we realized that a Push, Pull, Legs (PPL) guide would be the perfect framework – it’s balanced, easy to understand, and builds confidence through structure.
To ground our concept, we looked at fitness infographics, TikTok’s, instagram reels, beginner workout PDFs, and YouTube channels that simplify training splits. We noticed that while most shared useful content, they often overloaded users with jargon, text, or intimidating visuals. Our solution was to design something clean, visual, and supportive- a guide that teaches without lecturing.
We decided to focus on four main pages:
- Home Page- introduces what PPL means and why it works.
- Push Day- focuses on chest, shoulders, and triceps with clear visuals and short exercise cards.
- Pull Day- highlights back, biceps, and posterior chain movements with cues for form and posture.
- Leg Day- targets lower-body power and balance through both compound and isolation moves.
Each section ends with “Additional Tips & Tricks” and a call-to-action for seamless navigation. To help users learn at their own pace, we planned simple visual elements – like icons showing muscle groups, arrows indicating motion, and quick “pro tips” written in plain language.
Page Title: A Beginner’s Guide to the “Push, Pull, Legs” Split
Top Navigation Bar
What Is a “Push, Pull, Legs” Workout?
Links: Home | Push Day | Pull Day | Leg Day
Main Page Content
Ever walk into the gym and feel completely lost about what to train?
You’re not alone.
The “Push, Pull, Legs” split (PPL) is one of the most popular and effective ways to organize your workouts.
It’s simple. Instead of worrying about “chest day” or “arm day,” you group your exercises by movement type:
- Push: Exercises where you push the weight away from your body- working your chest, shoulders, and triceps.
- Pull: Exercises where you pull the weight toward your body- targeting your back and biceps.
- Legs: This one’s straightforward- everything involving your lower body.
Visual Element
A simple diagram could go here – three icons: one of a person pushing, one pulling, and one squatting – to make the concept easy to visualise.
Why Is It So Effective?
So, why do so many people use this workout split? It’s not just a trend.
- It’s Efficient: You train muscles that naturally work together. For example, during a push-up (a chest exercise), you’re also using your shoulders and triceps. The PPL splits these muscles intentionally for balanced training.
- It Promotes Great Recovery: While you’re training your “Push” muscles, your “Pull” and “Leg” muscles are resting. This recovery time is when muscles rebuild and grow stronger.
- It’s Flexible: You can do it three days a week (Push, Pull, Legs) or six days a week (Push, Pull, Legs, repeat). It’s easy to adapt to any schedule.
Call to Action
Ready to See How It Works?
Check out the simple workouts for each day below:
[Push Day] [Pull Day] [Leg Day]
Page Title: Push Day: Build Your Upper Body
Top Navigation Bar
Links: Home | Push Day | Pull Day | Leg Day
Main Page Content
What Is a “Push” Day?
A Push Day workout includes all exercises where you push weight away from your body.
Think about it- when you do a push-up, you’re pushing the floor away. When you lift something overhead, you’re pushing it up. This type of workout is efficient because all these pushing movements use the same muscle groups. You’ll train them together in one focused session.
What Are You Training Today?
On Push Day, we focus on three main muscle groups:
- Chest (Pectorals): The large muscles in your upper torso that help you push forward.
- Shoulders (Deltoids): The muscles at the top of your arms that help with overhead movements.
- Triceps: The muscles on the back of your upper arms that straighten your elbows.
Most chest exercises also engage your shoulders and triceps – that’s why it makes sense to train them all on the same day.
Common Exercises for Your Workout
Exercise Card 1- Push-Ups (or Dumbbell/Barbell Bench Press)
What it trains: Mainly your chest, but it also works your shoulders and triceps.
Quick Tip: Keep your body straight from head to heels. Focus on lowering your chest toward the floor instead of just bending your neck.
Exercise Card 2- Overhead Press (Dumbbell or Barbell)
What it trains: This is one of the best overall exercises for your shoulders and also strengthens your triceps.
Quick Tip: Stand tall with your core tight. Press the weight straight up over your head, not forward.
Exercise Card 3- Tricep Dips (on a bench) or Tricep Pushdowns (with a cable)
What it trains: This isolation movement targets your triceps directly.
Quick Tip: For bench dips, keep your back close to the bench and only lower yourself as far as feels comfortable for your shoulders.
A Few Quick Tips for a Great Push Day
- Warm Up Your Shoulders: They’re used in every push movement. Do light arm circles or band stretches before starting.
- Control the Weight: Don’t let the weight drop- control it on the way down, and push it up with power. This improves muscle growth and protects your joints.
- Use a Full Range of Motion: Aim for a complete stretch and full contraction on every rep. For push-ups, that means lowering your chest all the way down and locking out your arms at the top.
Call to Action
Great Job!
You’ve just completed your Push Day!
Next time, you’ll move on to your Pull workout.
[Go to Pull Day] [Back to Home]
Page Title: Leg Day: Build Your Foundation
Top Navigation Bar
Links: Home | Push Day | Pull Day | Leg Day
Main Page Content
Why Leg Day Matters
Leg day is the most important part of any well rounded training program as the lower body makes up nearly half of the body’s total muscle mass. Having strong legs does more than just look good- it’s where your functional strength, stability and posture comes from.
Your legs are the foundation for almost every athletic movement- walking, running, jumping or even squatting to support upper body lifts. Whether you’re into sports, everyday strength or injury prevention a strong lower body is key.
Targeted Muscle Groups- What You Need to Hit
- Quadriceps (Front Thighs): Extend your knee: key for movements like squats and lunges.
- Hamstrings (Back of Thighs): Flex the knee and extend the hip: essential for sprinting, balance, and overall stability.
- Glutes (Gluteus Maximus, Medius, Minimus): Drive hip extension and provide lower body power.
- Calves (Gastrocnemius and Soleus): Control ankle flexion and power explosive movements like jumping.
- Adductors and Abductors: Stabilize your pelvis and prevent side-to-side wobbling during exercises.
Common Exercises & What They Train
Exercise Card 1 – Barbell Squat
What it trains: Quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core.
Quick Tip: Front squats emphasize quads; low-bar squats target glutes and hamstrings.
Exercise Card 2 – Romanian Deadlift (RDL)
What it trains: Hamstrings and glutes through hip hinge movement.
Quick Tip: Keep your back straight and hinge from the hips, not the waist.
Exercise Card 3 – Leg Press
What it trains: Quads and glutes with heavier loads.
Quick Tip: Keep your lower back pressed into the seat to avoid strain.
Exercise Card 4 – Leg Curl & Leg Extension Machines
What it trains: Isolates hamstrings (curl) and quads (extension).
Quick Tip: Control the movement both up and down to maximize muscle activation.
Exercise Card 5 – Calf Raises
What it trains: Calves for strength, balance, and lower leg symmetry.
Quick Tip: Pause at the top for one second to increase time under tension.
Additional Tips & Tricks
- Balance compound and isolation exercises: Combine big lifts like squats and RDLs with accessory moves like leg extensions or calf raises.
- Warm up properly: Use dynamic stretches and light sets to prepare your joints for heavier lifts.
- Focus on form: Controlled, full-range movements prevent knee and back injuries.
- Recover well: Legs are large muscle groups therefore make sure to rest, stretch, and refuel after your workout.
Call to Action
Great Job!
You’ve completed your Leg Day, the toughest but most rewarding part of your training week.
Next, explore another section to continue your fitness journey:
[Go to Push Day] [Go to Pull Day] [Back to Home]
Pull Day (Back, Biceps & Posterior Chain)
Top Navigation Bar
Links: Home | Push Day | Pull Day | Leg Day
Why Does it Matter?
Pull day matters because it builds the foundation for a strong, balanced upper body and better posture. Most people overtrain “push” muscles like the chest and shoulders, but neglecting pulls leads to imbalances and injuries down the line. This workout hits all the key posterior muscles -the latissimus dorsi for width, trapezius and rhomboids for upper-back thickness, erector spinae for lower-back stability, and hamstrings and glutes for posterior chain strength. On top of that, the biceps and forearms get solid secondary work, improving both grip and arm definition. Together, these movements don’t just make your back look stronger – they make it be stronger, helping with posture, athletic performance, and every lift that depends on pulling power.
Targeted Muscle Groups- What You Need to Hit
- Latissimus Dorsi (Lats): Pull your arms down and back – the main muscle responsible for that wide, V-tapered back.
- Trapezius (Upper, Middle & Lower Traps): Stabilize your neck and shoulders while supporting scapular movement during rows and pulls.
- Rhomboids: Retract your shoulder blades and help maintain strong, upright posture.
- Erector Spinae: Run along your spine, keeping your back straight and stable during heavy compound lifts.
- Rear Deltoids (Rear Delts): Pull your arms backward and balance out shoulder development for a stronger, healthier upper body.
- Biceps (Biceps Brachii & Brachialis): Flex your elbow and assist in pulling movements while adding arm size and definition.
- Hamstrings & Glutes: Power the hip hinge and support the lower back in movements like RDLs, enhancing posterior chain strength.
Common Exercises & What They Train
Exercise Card 1- Barbell Bent-Over Row
What it trains: Lats, traps, rhomboids, erector spinae, and biceps.
Quick Tip: Keep your core tight and pull through your elbows for maximum lat engagement.
Exercise Card 2- Lat Pulldown
What it trains: Lats, traps, and biceps for vertical pulling strength.
Quick Tip: Avoid leaning too far back -keep your torso upright to really isolate the lats.
Exercise Card 3- Seated Cable Row
What it trains: Mid-back (rhomboids and traps) and rear delts.
Quick Tip: Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together at the end of each rep.
Exercise Card 4- Dumbbell Hammer Curl
What it trains: Biceps and forearms, improving grip and arm balance.
Quick Tip: Keep elbows tucked and avoid swinging to maintain tension on the biceps.
Exercise Card 5- Face Pulls
What it trains: Rear delts, traps, and rotator cuff stabilizers.
Quick Tip: Pull toward your face with elbows high for full contraction and shoulder health.
Additional Tips & Tricks
- Mix compound and isolation moves: Pair heavy hitters like barbell rows and RDLs with accessories like hammer curls or face pulls to hit every angle.
- Don’t skip your warm-up: Dynamic stretches and activation sets wake up your lats, shoulders, and grip before the real work starts.
- Form over ego: Focus on clean, controlled reps -no jerking or swinging. Pull with intent, not momentum.
- Recover smart: Your back and biceps take a beating, so stretch, hydrate, and get in solid protein after training to rebuild stronger.
Call to Action
Nice work!
You’ve crushed your Pull Day- the backbone of your strength and posture. Keep this consistency rolling into your next session and build that balance across your push-pull split.
[Go to Push Day] [Go to Leg Day] [Back to Home]
Elaboration
After sketching the flow, we mocked up an early prototype showing how users would move through each section- from reading a quick definition of PPL to viewing muscle diagrams and interactive “exercise cards.” Our final vision: a minimal, interactive workout website that makes strength training less intimidating and more intuitive- guiding users toward confidence, one click at a time.
Principles Applied
The design of the resource focuses on creating a simple, visual and confidence-building experience for beginners. Each section such as Home, Push, Pull, and Legs would presents one idea/split at a time using short explanations and clear visuals. This approach draws on Mayer’s Multimedia Learning Principles, particularly:
- Coherence: by keeping only relevant information and removing unnecessary detail to help users stay focused.
- Contiguity: by placing related text and visuals side by side so learners can easily connect them.
- Dual-Coding: by combining short text with icons, diagrams or simple animations that represent each movement pattern.
Interactive buttons at the bottom of each page helps in exploration/easy navigation and give learners control over their path. Guided by Universal Design for Learning (UDL) the site would use inclusive language, clear typography, balanced color contrast and captions for multimedia elements to ensure accessibility for everyone.
Together, these principles make our resource feels friendly, organized and easy to engage with, helping users learn at their own pace and build lasting confidence in their workouts.
PEER FEEDBACK
Clear Audience Description and Supportive Tone
There was a constant mention of how our group clearly identified a realistic and specific learner profile : A “curious but cautious beginner” who may experience gym-related intimidation.
The feedback also emphasized that the tone throughout the prototype is friendly, approachable and supportive which helps reduce anxiety for beginners and creates an encouraging learning environment. This clarity in audience and tone was repeatedly described as intentional, relatable and well-aligned with the project’s purpose.
Well Structured and Effective Use of Multimedia Learning
Many peers highlighted the project’s clean structure, particularly the division into Push, Pull and Legs sections. This organization was praised for being easy to follow, intuitive, and aligned with Mayer’s Segmenting, Coherence, Signaling and Contiguity principles. Short explanations, quick form tips and the emphasis on concise text were noted as effective strategies for reducing cognitive load.
The feedback also mentioned about the thoughtful incorporation of accessible multimedia practices which supports clarity and usability for beginner learners.
Suggestion for Enhanced Visuals and Demonstrations
A suggestion seen multiple times across feedback was to strengthen the visual component.
Peers recommended adding labelled muscle diagrams and form demonstration photos or short videos. These elements were described as beneficial for improving spatial contiguity, supporting mind-muscle understanding and making the instructional content more comprehensible for beginners who rely heavily on visual cues.
Suggestion for Engagement and Interactivity
Many peers also suggested incorporating light interactive features to further engage learners. These recommendations included progress-tracking prompts (e.g., logging reps), short motivational cues, optional quizzes for formative assessment, and varying exercise card difficulty levels (easy/medium/hard). Additional suggestions involved expanding the routine options to include beginner-friendly alternatives such as full-body or machine-based workouts. The peers suggested these would also help with personalization and increase learner’s confidence.
REFLECT AND REFINE
Team Reflection
What Worked Well
Our prototype was effective in several key areas that supported beginner learners and aligned strongly with our project goals. Our group clearly identified the “curious but cautious beginner” as the primary audience and this guided a tone and approach that directly addressed common feelings of gym intimidation. The content in our resource was intentionally kept simple and non intimidating, avoiding overly technical terminology or unnecessary detail so new gym goers could engage with it comfortably. A major strength of our prototype was that it required no prerequisite fitness knowledge; all core ideas such as the PPL split, muscle groups and basic exercises were explained from the ground up so complete beginners could follow along confidently. The structure of our website, divided into Home, Push, Pull and Leg sections, created a clear, predictable flow with each page presenting one focused idea at a time to minimize cognitive load. We also applied relevant multimedia learning principles such as coherence, contiguity, dual coding and signaling through concise explanations and quick form cues. Altogether, our prototype felt friendly, organized, and highly approachable for individuals who are new to strength training.
What would you change?
In reflecting on the peer feedback, the main area that required improvement was the clarity and presence of visual elements in our prototype documentation. Although our team always intended to include muscle diagrams, exercise card layouts and some level of visual demonstration of these exercise movements, this plan was not communicated clearly in the written prototype. As a result, several peers expressed uncertainty about what the final project would look like and requested mock ups, sample layouts or demonstration visuals to better understand our design direction. The final submission will include these components.
Additionally, the suggestion to incorporate a short quiz or understanding check at the end of each section is a really nice idea which will help increase engagement.We plan to integrate this feature into our final submission.
Suggestions that we don’t plan on including
- Progress tracking features such as “log your reps today”:
Our group chose not to incorporate progress tracking features, as these additions could introduce unnecessary friction for beginners interacting with the resource. Since the purpose of our project is to create a simple and non intimidating introduction to strength training, adding logging tools may shift attention away from this core goal. For individuals who are just starting out, features like rep tracking can feel demanding or overly structured, which could reduce the approachability we want the resource to maintain. - Expanding the resource into additional routines:
Including full body, machine based, or alternative training splits is another suggestion our group elected not to pursue. Adding multiple program options would increase complexity and may confuse learners who are already trying to overcome feelings of uncertainty in the gym. For beginners, the initial priority is building consistency rather than optimizing training style. The Push Pull Legs structure remains a deliberate choice because it is simple, adaptable, and suitable for nearly all experience levels, making it an ideal starting point. - Difficulty scaled exercise cards:
Our group also decided against adding difficulty labels such as easy, medium, or hard to the exercise cards. While these designations can be valuable in more advanced training resources, they may unintentionally intimidate new gym goers and discourage them from attempting exercises marked as “hard.” The exercises selected for our resource are foundational movements that most beginners can follow safely.
Difficulty scaling could be considered in future iterations if the resource expands to include more advanced features, such as personalized workout plans that align with different experience levels or goals.
Revisions included in our revised prototype
In our revised prototype, we incorporated many new elements to improve clarity, structure and learner engagement. Visual demonstrations were added for each exercise, this includes animated images/gifs of the movement being performed and highlighted muscle groups to help learners better understand form and muscle activation.
We also introduced a short knowledge check/Quiz section at the end of each section Push, Pull and Legs which increases engagement and allows learners to reinforce key concepts as they progress.
To help people who may be unfamiliar with foundational terms, we added simple explanations of concepts such as compound and isolation movements so that they don’t need to rely on external resources. Additionally, a sample weekly schedule was included to give learners a clearer understanding of how a Push Pull Legs split is typically structured across a full week. These revisions help make the resource more comprehensive, intuitive and aligned with the needs of beginners.
What issues were raised, and how would we address them?
While building our site, we ran into a few challenges that helped us understand the project more deeply. One of the biggest issues was with our AI-assisted workflow. The “vibe coding” tools we were using didn’t follow academic standards, especially when it came to referencing images. To fix this, we ended up downloading the AI-generated code and manually adding proper references for every visual asset to make sure our work stayed accurate and transparent.
We also noticed that the AI sometimes slipped into technical or complicated language, which went against the Coherence Principle and made the explanations harder to follow. We addressed this by going through the content ourselves and rewriting sections in simpler, clearer terms.
Another issue, which our peers also pointed out, was that describing physical movements through text alone is limiting. It’s hard for beginners to picture proper form without seeing it. To make our OER more helpful and better support Dual Coding, we plan to add demo videos and simple labeled diagrams so learners get both visual and verbal cues.
Strengths and limitations of this type of multimedia for learning
One of the main strengths of this OER is that we were intentional with our design. By using a friendly, conversational tone, we applied the Personalization Principle to help reduce the intimidation many beginners feel when learning about gym workouts. Breaking the content into Push, Pull, and Legs pages also supported the Segmenting Principle, allowing users to take in one idea at a time and move at their own pace. This structure helped reduce unnecessary cognitive load and made the learning experience feel much more manageable.
At the same time, we recognize the limitations. Relying on AI to generate exercise guidance can be risky—small mistakes in wording or positioning could lead to unsafe form. To address this, we need to manually check all AI-generated instructions and make sure they’re safe and accurate. Another limitation is that a website can’t offer real-time, personalized feedback, which is important when learning physical movements. While we can partially address this with quizzes, diagrams, and clear signaling, it still doesn’t replace the value of immediate correction from a trained professional.
Accessibility
Ensuring accessibility was another critical consideration throughout the development process. While the AI was capable of generating basic alt text and semantic HTML elements, it often neglected essential features required for an inclusive Open Educational Resource. For example, it did not consistently apply proper heading hierarchy, overlooked keyboard-navigable structures, and occasionally produced colour contrasts or layouts that could create barriers for users with visual or cognitive impairments. We also recognized that our resource lacked multiple forms of media- such as captioned videos or audio explanations, which can limit accessibility for learners who benefit from multimodal content or who rely on alternatives to text-based instruction. As a result, we had to manually revise or supplement several areas to ensure clearer structure, meaningful descriptions, and more universally usable content. These gaps underscored the need for intentional human oversight to maintain accessibility standards when working with AI-generated code.
AI Generation and Bias Analysis
• Difficulty Managing Multi-Page Prompts
One of the primary challenges involved the extensive length and complexity of the prompt. The AI struggled to retain and correctly organize information for all four pages (Home, Push, Pull, Legs) alongside the five educational principles. This often resulted in layout confusion, such as exercises from one page appearing on another. We repeatedly had to simplify and restructure the prompt to maintain consistency.
• Limitations in Generating Complex Structural Features
While the AI performed adequately with basic elements such as headers and paragraphs, it consistently underperformed when tasked with producing more complex or non-standard structures. The two-column Exercise Card layout-with an image area on the left and text on the right was particularly challenging. Achieving a structure that aligned with the Contiguity Principle required extremely explicit and sequential instructions.
• Inconsistent Handling of Image and Asset References
When local image file names (e.g., .jpg, .webp) were included in the prompt, the AI frequently misinterpreted or mishandled them. Although it sometimes produced correct <img> tags, it often placed them within incorrect or incomplete HTML structures or confused file formats. Switching to generic text placeholders (e.g., “[Image Placeholder: Push-Ups]”) ultimately produced more reliable and predictable outcomes.
• Tendency to Overlook Educational Strategy Requirements
The AI often prioritized aesthetic design over the pedagogical principles required for the OER. Without consistent prompting to reference Coherence, Modality, Segmenting, and other instructional strategies, it incorporated unnecessary visual elements that did not meet academic expectations. We had to repeatedly reinforce these requirements to ensure alignment with the grading criteria.
• Evidence of AI Bias in Code Interpretation and Prioritization
Throughout the process, we also observed instances of AI bias in how the system interpreted our instructions. The AI tended to default toward common web design patterns; even when they conflicted with our intended educational approach-indicating a bias toward standardized layouts over pedagogical accuracy. It also showed a preference for conventional image handling and familiar structural templates, resisting more specialized or unfamiliar formats unless explicitly directed. These tendencies required additional oversight to ensure the final output reflected our design intentions rather than the AI’s inherent defaults.
INDIVIDUAL REFLECTIONS
Kushank
Working on this OER project gave me an opportunity to gain better understanding of how learning resources are designed for diverse/wider audiences. Creating a guide for beginners helped me understand the importance of applying multimedia learning principles.
Each design choice had to be thoughtful and learner centred, from simplifying explanations to selecting visuals that reduce intimidation and support understanding. This project also helped me explore new tools that can be leveraged in creating an educational resource. Working with platforms such as Wix and Google AI Studio revealed both their potential and limitations such as image referencing issues, inconsistencies in how generated code performs and the need for manual refinement to achieve the desired result. These experiences helped me better appreciate how digital tools can support a project but also why human oversight and design judgment remain essential.
Similar to previous projects, this OER reinforced one of the most important design lesson that is: revisions are at the core of creating an effective learning resource. Iteration is not optional; it is a continuous process shaped by peer feedback and user’s needs. Going through feedback from multiple peers helped me better identify gaps in our prototype such as opportunities for stronger visuals and ways to make the resource more intuitive, engaging and welcoming for beginners.
This iterative process also reminded me of the value of “thinking backwards,” starting with the learner’s needs and desired learning outcomes and then designing every element to support those goals.
Creating a resource which feels clear, supportive and genuinely useful takes time, feedback and a willingness to keep improving/iterating . Even with all the newer tools available, it ultimately comes down to fundamentals of understanding what learners need and shaping the resource around those needs. This experience reinforced that good learning design is not just about building something that works, but about building something that truly helps people feel confident enough to learn and grow.
Khushi
Developing this Open Educational Resource allowed me to engage deeply with the principles underlying effective digital learning design. Throughout the process, I was required to consider how to present information in a way that maintained clarity, supported accessibility, and facilitated meaningful learning. This involved consistent attention to organization, coherence, and usability. Each stage encouraged reflection on how learners navigate online environments and how structural choices, explanatory precision, and multimodal integration shape their overall comprehension.
The creation of custom visual diagrams emerged as one of the most influential components of the project. Designing images that identified the primary muscles involved in each exercise highlighted the importance of visual communication in reducing cognitive load and supporting diverse learner needs. This experience demonstrated how purposefully constructed visuals can strengthen understanding in content areas that rely heavily on anatomical accuracy.
The comparison of digital platforms also informed the development of the final OER. Wix offered an accessible and user friendly entry point, which made the initial design process straightforward. However, its limited customization restricted the project’s potential. In contrast, the platform used for the final resource required greater technical proficiency and ongoing support, but its enhanced flexibility enabled a more refined and adaptable product. It also allowed for the incorporation of key feedback, including the integration of an embedded quiz, which was not possible within the constraints of Wix.
Overall, the creation of this OER provided meaningful insight into the intentional decisions that underpin high quality digital learning materials. The experience underscored the significance of clarity, multimodal design, and interactive components in producing accessible and pedagogically effective educational resources.
Nihal
My main contributions to the project were designing the Home page and creating the Pull workout section. Since I personally follow the Push–Pull–Legs routine, I already had a practical understanding of the exercises, but I still did extra research and watched instructional YouTube videos to make sure everything we included was accurate and beginner-friendly. This helped me organize the Pull page in a way that followed the Segmenting Principle, breaking each exercise into clear, manageable steps instead of overwhelming learners with long blocks of text.
While “vibe coding” the site using Google Studio, I ran into a major issue where the AI didn’t reference images properly. To fix this, I downloaded the project and added the image references manually so the visuals stayed aligned with the explanations. I also realized that getting the AI to produce the exact layout I imagined took a lot of trial and error, and I often had to rephrase prompts several times. Moving forward, I want to explore other tools—like Wix AI or ChatGPT agents—to see which one provides better coding accuracy and a smoother workflow for building educational websites.
References
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