The demand for high-quality, learner-centered content in higher education is reshaping how institutions approach online learning. Through its innovative platform eClarity, KnowledgeNow aims to meet this demand by making the learning design process easier, faster, and more cohesive for entire departments. Designed by instructional design experts for everyone looking to build out a course, eClarity is the next best tool in elearning design. Discover how KnowledgeNow is transforming the field with eClarity.
About the Company:
KnowledgeNow has created eClarity, a Learning Design System that streamlines and simplifies the learning design process, and manages all workflow within the entire department. We help design the best experiences for everyone through technology, best practices, and support.
Learn more about the company at eclaritylearningdesign.com.
1. What’s the main problem your startup is solving, and how are you tackling it in a way that stands out?
There is a huge shift happening in higher education – learner focus is moving away from WHO is teaching the content, and towards the quality of the content itself. Learning departments are struggling to keep up with the demand for online learning and departments are falling apart and losing money.
eClarity simplifies the way learning departments are managed by bringing the entire learning design and departmental processes into one workplace. Whether you are the director of the department, or an individual designer, eClarity helps make your job easier, producing a higher volume of better designed courses in a fraction of the time it takes today.
2. How did your product come to life, and what makes it different from what’s already out there?
eClarity is a response to the frustration I felt as a new leader in the learning design field. As the pandemic hit and we incorporated the company, I was faced with leading the design of over 100 courses with a team of new designers. I needed a solid process and reliable tools to do this, and when I couldn’t find anything, I created one.
While Learning Managements Systems and Course Authorware are already ingrained in the eLearning ecosystem, they are only as good as the content being embedded in them. eClarity guides the user through the actual design process – from planning and analysis, to content writing and review – with the end result being what goes into the LMS. It manages the designs, updates, and maintenance of all original content, making it easy to run an entire department responsible for thousands of course builds.
3. Can you share a key lesson or challenge you’ve faced on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you work through it?
We are currently facing the challenge of differentiating ourselves from the learning management systems and course authorware platforms. The messaging is important and we are learning that what we say needs to be different based on who we talk with.
We are now in the process of testing that messaging and tweaking our message through our sales and marketing processes.
The biggest lesson I have learned throughout being an entrepreneur is that you need to be ok with being bad at things before you become great at things. And right now, we are learning to push through fumbling on some of our messaging so we can get it right.
4. What are you most excited to learn or experience during the L-SPARK Accelerator?
I am most excited about the pace of this program. About trying new things, getting the feedback from those who have the experience, and trying again – quicker than we have been doing it!
Having a sounding board of experts like we have in L-SPARK is an incredible opportunity for a company at our stage who is ready for traction and growth.
5. What’s been your biggest milestone so far, and how has it shaped where you’re headed?
eClarity’s launch this July at the Canadian eLearning Conference! After two years of building, testing, scrapping, and re-building our product, it was so validating to show off our product and get real-time feedback from future users. Hearing things like “THIS is what I’ve been looking for!” was what I needed to keep pushing this forward.
The L-SPARK team is excited to be at the forefront of eClaritys launch and support the team as they refine their approach and amplify their growth. The team is committed to reshaping the learning experience, ensuring departments can keep up with the rapidly-evolving educational landscape. Say hi to the team at eClarity this November 13th – 14th at SAAS North Conference and learn all about how they are designing the future of learning.
About the Founder:
Amanda Douglas-Young, CEO & Co-Founder
Amanda leads the team at KnowledgeNow. She is passionate about fostering an inspiring work environment for all. Amanda lives in Montreal with her husband, two boys, and labradoodle Charlie.
With over 15 years experience in the learning design industry, Amanda has worked with institutions across Canada to design high quality accessible learning. Some of her clients include Queen’s University, Proctor and Gamble, McGill University, Arcteryx, and InclusionNB.
Amanda has always loved the impact that words can have on lives, and is a collector of quotes, podcasts, stories and an occasional meme (or two).
