This page contains an annotated transcript highlighting the coursework I completed as part of the Master of Arts in Learning Experience Design (MALXD) program at Michigan State University. The annotations provide brief context for how specific courses contributed to the development of my skills in learning design, accessibility, learner engagement, and instructional strategy.
Below is the course key:
UX: User Experience
CEP: Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education
EAD: Educational Administration
During the first semester of this program, this course established the foundational knowledge that I used throughout the program. It focused on understanding the theories that explain how people learn. We explored perspectives such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and sociocultural theory and examined how they influence educational practice. The course helped me connect learning science to the practical decisions made when designing meaningful learning experiences. By the end, I was able to strengthen my understanding of how people learned and develop my own theory of learning.
This course focused on understanding how adults learn across different environments and stages of life. We examined major theories of adult learning and how motivation, experience, and context influence the learning process. It reinforced the importance of designing learning experiences that respect the knowledge and perspectives adult learners bring with them. By the end, I wrote a paper that detailed the beginnings of a solution to solve a real-world problem that I was experiencing at work through the use of the adult principles learned.
The second semester partially brought me out of my comfort zone and made me confront the importance of graduate level research. This course introduced the foundations of educational research and how research informs learning design decisions. We explored both qualitative and quantitative research approaches and learned how to evaluate research studies. The course strengthened my ability to interpret evidence and apply research findings to learning design. By the end, I felt more confident in my ability to identify a research problem/topic, develop an action plan, determine the data analysis, and reflect, revise, and repeat as needed.
While I have previous experience training in an online environment, this course focused on designing effective learning experiences in online environments. We explored strategies for engagement, community building, accessibility, and meaningful learner interaction in digital spaces. It emphasized the importance of intentional design when creating online learning experiences. By the end, I developed a deeper appreciation for online courses and advocating for a true development of the curriculum rather than just taking an in person class and putting it online. I also discovered ways to ensure that equity existed throughout the process.
An entire class dedicated to assessments. This course examined how assessment can be designed and implemented within digital learning environments. We explored ways to measure understanding while also supporting the learning process through thoughtful assessment strategies. The course emphasized aligning assessments with learning objectives and using technology to create meaningful evaluation opportunities. By the end, I rediscovered what the word assessment truly meant, the value of matching the assessment to the learning experiences, and the importance of understanding the history behind assessments in education.
In this accelerated course, we focused on designing digital experiences that are accessible and inclusive for all learners. We explored accessibility standards, user experience principles, and strategies for identifying and removing barriers to participation. The course reinforced the responsibility designers have to create learning environments that support a wide range of abilities and needs. By the end, I had plenty of hands on experience using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to determine the accessibility of online content and the value of making the overall learning experience accessible for all.
At the beginning of the second year, we had a leadership course. This course focused on leadership within learning design and educational teams. We explored strategies for guiding projects, supporting collaboration, and navigating the complexities of design work within organizations. The course emphasized leadership practices that strengthen both learning experiences and the teams that design them. By the end, I determined my personal style of leadership, created several usable project materials, and developed a Leadership Dashboard highlighting these efforts.
The field of learning experience design, like many, is constantly changing and evolving. This course explored emerging ideas, tools, and conversations shaping the field of learning design. We examined how evolving technologies and changing learning environments influence design practices. The course encouraged critical reflection on how designers can adapt and grow as the field continues to evolve. By the end, I gained a better understanding of the various learning design models, discussed the importance of understanding new trends and appreciating their value without automatically following them and I even developed my own version of a learning design model that I can and will use for future projects.
In our final semester we have been given structured freedoms. This course focused on intentionally developing new skills as a learning designer. Through a self-directed project, we explored new tools, techniques, or approaches to strengthen our design practice. The course emphasized continuous growth, experimentation, and reflection as essential parts of professional development. By the end, I will have understood the purpose of creating, developing, and follow through with my own project plan just for the sake of learning. I am also setting the foundation for continuous growth and improvement now and after this program ends.
Finally, putting it all together. This course served as the culminating experience of the MALXD program. We synthesized the theories, design principles, and skills developed throughout the program into a final body of work. The result will be a professional portfolio that demonstrates my growth and development as a learning experience designer. By the end of this course, I hope to have a completed portfolio that I can use to demonstrate the knowledge gained in this program and also showcase my knowledge as a learning experience designer.