Executive Summary

This portfolio showcases some of the more memorable assignments and projects I have been a part of with the Instructional Systems and Learning Technology masters program at Florida State University.  Through this program, I've been able to learn about developing technologies and proven teaching strategies that are having tremendous impacts on the development of online education.

Included on the Artifacts page are several presentations, papers, and online course outlines I've created that highlight my design skills as well as effective communication and analysis.  For the Theory Application Paper, I was able to describe some major learning theories that have been impactful to learn about as well as how I might incorporate them into my course development processes.  An extremely memorable assignments involved learning about game-based learning.  This modern educational process has taken the web by storm.  With the ease of use of mobile applications, learning on the go has never been easier.  This assignment helped me learn how gamification is being applied to both traditional and nontraditional learning environments and how I might be able to incorporate this strategy into both training webinars and online courses.  

Also found on the artifacts page are details of my internship with The Collegiate School of Florida State University.  This internship allowed me to put to use the skills I've learned, including course development, analyzing emerging educational technologies, and how to work with teachers, students, and stakeholders.  The main deliverable for the internship was assisting with the implementation of Canvas for the school.  This included designing a course template and theme, creating training material for the teachers, coordinating meetings and trainings with Canvas experts, and reviewing feedback from teachers currently learning how to integrate their courses into the Canvas environment.

In addition to the artifacts, the Program of Study page highlights the courses I've taken over the past few years.  My course load allowed me to also focus on an online teaching certificate which I plan to use as I continue to learn better ways to develop online learning environments.  The Resume page gives a better look at my teaching and educational backgrounds which includes starting as a high school agricultural education teacher, to podcast host, to now a learning content developer for a software company.

Through all of the previously mentioned course work as well as my internship, I was able to develop some core strengths thanks to this masters program.  From designing both online courses and presentations, to applying learning practices and facilitating training meetings, the experiences I've learned have greatly improved my skillset as an instructor.   Even the experience to learn from other software trainers in the industry, by facilitating webinars on various educational tools, has been very helpful.  One strength that I will continue to develop throughout my career is the ability to present effective and engaging presentations.  Both an online webinar or an in-person workshop can benefit greatly from the use of interactive classes. This can apply in the private sector along with higher education courses. When designed in this regard, learning is often more memorable for the learner, which leads to higher long term retention rates.  Another strength is my ability to design visuals that adhere to the principle of message design.  In the presentations, guides, and videos I've created each are designed to be effective in their communication and simple in their design.  These products portray the message efficiently and without visual distraction.

In conclusion, I'm grateful for my time in this program and gaining more ways to become an effective teacher.  Online learning has changed drastically in the past few years and I believe the skills I've learned have better prepared me to teach effectively.