Welcome to my eLearning portfolio!
My knowledge of instructional design, adult learning theories, assessing learner needs, and use of educational technology is grounded in both formal education as well as practical experience. I find that analyzing learner needs and designing instructional strategies that help them connect to new information is a challenging and rewarding task. The following bullet points highlight some of my experience in the field of instructional design, instructional technology, and teaching.
- As an instructional designer, I collaborate with subject experts to design and revise courses. While aligning course outcomes with learning activities and assessments, I always strive to create engaging, real-life learning situations. One of my favorite methods is to use scenarios. Linear scenarios allow the learner to absorb new information in a stairstep fashion with "self checks" along the way. Branching scenarios are a more advanced and intriguing challenge that provides the learner with examples of real-life choices. Each choice takes the learner down a path until they see the final results of their decisions. Regardless of the learning activities chosen, I ensure alignment, quality assurance, and copyright and ADA compliance.
- In my role as an educator, I have taught online college and high school courses and faculty professional development workshops. Additionally, I have created and led face-to-face training for adult education and faculty training sessions. I love connecting with students in discussion forums and personalize feedback on assignments by using video comments.
- For over 15 years I was a K-12 technology coordinator. This position required that I stay up-to-date with the newest technologies, learn them quickly, and assist others in how to use them. Conducting teacher training was a main focus for both the technical "how to" side of technology as well as the pedagogical methods on how to implement technology in a meaningful way in the curriculum.