Professional Statement
I am a multi-talented communicator with an M.S. in Instructional Design and Development (4.0 GPA) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I have extensive experience in communications, client relationships, team leadership, project organization, branded content, digital marketing, video production and writing.
Effective and Efficient Communication
When you look up the definition of communication in Merriam-Webster, you see phrases like “information transmitted” and “expressing ideas” but the dictionary does not define the best ways to do that. I majored in communication and have worked in that field for more than 30 years. I have first-hand knowledge in how to communicate effectively and efficiently in multiple platforms to a wide variety of audiences.
IBSTPI Competencies
The International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI) sets the standards that are followed by proven instructional designers around the world. They have identified more than 100 competencies that are categorized in five domains. Here are a few highlights of my work in each area.
Professional Foundations
At the core of instructional design is addressing and meeting the needs of the learner. I have spent my entire career delivering messages to people visually, orally and in writing. I have spent countless hours conducting research and then applying theoretical best practices to product development. And I have held myself and my teams to the highest ethical, moral and legal standards in every workplace and every project.
Planning and Analysis
As a public relations practitioner, I was already well versed in research, planning, implementation and evaluation (RPIE). That skill set has naturally transitioned to conducting needs assessments to identify the best development solutions and design strategies. I have used analytics to determine the best existing instructional content, to identify the top emerging technology and to make well-prepared recommendations to clients.
Design and Development
The UAB M.S. in Instructional Design and Development program combined hands-on experience with intense instruction. Each course included multiple projects – individual and team – that required designing, developing and producing instructional materials. We modified existing projects, created new projects, planned non-instructional interventions, designed instructional interventions, and so much more.
Implementation and Evaluation
I understand fully that executing a plan properly requires organization, targeted actions, constant communication and achievable objectives. You must evaluate the effectiveness of your product or program in learning goals, behavioral change and/or overall results. Evaluations must then be converted into adjustments to the original plan that will ultimately improve the next phase of your product or program.
Management
Richard Branson once said “Communication is the most important skill any leader can possess.” That is more evident in instructional design than other areas because a manager’s role is to build collaborative relationships, direct internal and external partnerships, and oversee a project from start to finish. This requires business skills – it requires instructional skills – and, most of all, it requires effective and efficient communication skills.
Instructional Design and Development Goals
The focus area that I find most appealing is accessibility. Every course in the UAB MSIDD program covered this area and we were required to make all finished materials accessible. The process taught me two things: 1) if you cannot access the material, you cannot learn, and 2) it is not that difficult to make material accessible – it only takes effort and time.
My immediate IDD goal is to make sure all work in my current job – writings, websites, presentations, videos, etc. – is accessible to everyone. My future goal is to attain a position of leadership in an area that directly or indirectly supports accessibility in a learning environment.
As part of the effort to reach my goals, I recently completed Authoring Accessible Documents training from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Accessible Systems & Technology (OAST). By completing this training, I am officially certified in the Revised Section 508 Standards that are essential to ensure communications are accessible to any persons with disabilities. My certifications are:
Authoring Accessible Adobe PDF Documents
Authoring Accessible Microsoft Office Excel Documents
Authoring Accessible Microsoft Office PowerPoint Documents
Authoring Accessible Microsoft Office Word Documents
I am currently using these new skills for my internship with the University of Alabama’s Technology Accessibility team. I am assisting their efforts with the university’s accessibility initiative to provide an accessible technology experience to all technology users.
Awards, Certifications, Expertise, Proficiencies, and Talents
In 2012, I earned my Accreditation in Public Relations – the profession’s only national post-graduate certification. The APR designation verifies my advanced capabilities in research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It also highlights my commitment to professional excellence and ethical conduct.
Most recently, I won a Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Award – Gold Level – in the category of Communications / Storytelling. The entire competition witnessed more than 4,500 entries from 28 countries.
Below is a detailed list of what I bring to every instructional design and development project.
Instructional Design Models
While earning my M.S. in Instructional Design and Development, I studied, implemented and/or delivered case studies in the following:
ADDIE
New Order Kirkpatrick Model
SAM
Instructional Design Skills
My MSIDD projects and assignments included requirements using the following software and skills:
Articulate 360
Canvas Learning Management System
Camtasia
Edpuzzle
Evaluation Plans
Needs Assessment
Project Management
Renderforest
Multimedia Proficiencies
In my 30-year career I have developed proficiency in each of the following areas:
Adobe PDF
iMovie
Joomla Website Content Management System
Lucidpress
MS Office 360
Photography
Photoshop
PowerPoint
Social Media
Videography
Communication Expertise
As an award-winning and highly regarded communicator with 30 years’ experience, I bring a unique perspective and special skillset to each project.
Accredited in Public Relations (2012)
Social Media Campaigns
Storytelling
Video Production
Writing Case Studies
Writing for Modules
Writing for News Releases
Writing for Social Media
Writing for Video