Reel Connections Case Study
Bringing Community-Based Arts Education Online
Project Summary
Reel Connections, a community-based nonprofit focused on arts education, partnered with Learning Design Solutions (LDS) to transform their face-to-face courses into engaging, interactive online programmes. Reel Connections aimed to extend the reach of their film and music courses, which had successfully connected local Norwich and Norfolk community members, to audiences across the UK. LDS provided consulting and hands-on support to design, build, and launch three new online courses, ensuring that each programme preserved the collaborative and community-focused spirit central to Reel Connections’ mission.
Find out about their courses, and enrol, by visiting Reel Connections.
The Challenge
Reel Connections wanted to transition their successful in-person programmes to an online format, making arts education accessible to a broader audience. The challenge was to retain the core values of collaboration, discussion, and shared experience that defined their face-to-face courses. Reel Connections also sought guidance on selecting a delivery platform and designing online learning experiences that would foster community, creativity, and engagement among participants.
LDS Solution
Learning Design Solutions collaborated closely with Reel Connections, providing consultancy on platform selection, learning design, and learning technologies. LDS supported Reel Connections in designing online courses that would capture the interactive, discussion-driven nature of their in-person workshops. By integrating multimedia, interactive discussion forums, and content-sharing features, LDS helped Reel Connections recreate the experience of community learning in an online environment.
The three courses developed were:
Making a Scene: How to Write a Successful Film Scene – A course exploring the craft of screenwriting, enabling learners to create and analyse memorable scenes.
Classic Albums in Close-Up – A journey through iconic music albums, inviting participants to analyse and discuss key tracks in depth.
Cinefeels: Exploring Film Through Emotions – An exploration of cinema’s emotional impact, allowing learners to reflect on and discuss personal responses to film.
Success Highlights
With the support of LDS, Reel Connections successfully launched these courses, reaching a broader audience and providing opportunities for individuals across the UK to engage in meaningful film and music discussions. The online format retained Reel Connections’ commitment to shared experience and collaboration, giving participants a new way to connect with others and explore the arts.
LDS’ lead education consultant, Andrew Doig, said, “Working with Reel Connections was a rewarding experience, as we were able to blend technology with the arts in a way that retained the organisation’s community-driven mission. We collaborated closely to ensure that each course offered rich opportunities for interaction and creative exchange. It’s wonderful to see Reel Connections’ vision for inclusive and accessible arts education come to life online and reach new audiences.”
Client testimonial
“Working with Andrew to help us devise our first courses was an enjoyable and highly collaborative experience from start to finish. We work in a largely rural area, with people of all ages and abilities, and it was therefore very important that our online offer sought to replicate the aims of our in-person activity, namely, to improve social connections and access to the creative industries.
“Andrew got this immediately and helped us build unique, high quality learning content that has clearly resonated with our students. “Thank you for a very worthwhile course! I enjoyed it immensely. It made my day when the tutor commented that he could really see my story as a film!” (Annie, student on Making a Scene course)”
Guy Martin, Director and Co-Founder, Reel Connections CIC
Contact Us
Discover how Learning Design Solutions can help your organisation expand its educational reach and deliver meaningful online learning experiences that foster connection and engagement. Contact us on info@learningdesignsolutions.co.uk.