Instructional Design

This page highlights a selection of my instructional design work across three distinct contexts: corporate leadership development, professional legal education, and science communication. Each project reflects a full design process grounded in adult learning principles, from needs analysis and objective development through content design, interaction strategy, and outcome evaluation. The work spans a competition entry built entirely independently, executive education for legal and business professionals, and a concept project demonstrating range beyond my primary domain. Across all three, the throughline is intentional design decisions, learning science applied in practice, and a learner-centered approach from start to finish.

A New Manager's Playbook: Know, Support, Lead

Storyboard

Design Doc

Job Aid

Client: Solara Health Consulting (fictional healthcare consulting firm created for the iSpring 2026 Course Contest)

Format: Slide-based eLearning | iSpring Suite | 20–25 minutes | SCORM-enabled

Overview: This course addresses one of the most challenging transitions in any organization, moving from individual contributor to people manager. Set at Solara Health Consulting, learners follow Alex Rivera through her first 30 days as a newly promoted Engagement Manager. The course is grounded in two evidence-based leadership frameworks, servant leadership and coaching vs. directing, woven intentionally throughout the design rather than presented as standalone content.

Target Audience: Newly promoted or externally hired people managers with strong individual contributor backgrounds and limited formal management training, completing self-paced eLearning during their first two weeks in role.

My Role: Sole instructional designer and developer. Responsible for needs framing, learning objective development, interaction design, visual design, narration scripting, AI audio production, job aid creation, and full iSpring build.

Tools Used: iSpring Suite, Microsoft PowerPoint, ElevenLabs (AI narration), Canva (job aid), Claude (AI writing and content development), SCORM

Highlights:

Three-branch scenario placing learners in Alex's first 1:1 with a disengaged team member, with distinct consequences for avoidance, premature directing, and coaching
Six iSpring interactions are distributed across 17 slides, including tabs, media catalog, accordion, cyclic process, matching, and branching scenario
Downloadable 30-Day Listening Tour job aid attached via the iSpring Resources panel
A dual-layer design approach presenting each team role alongside the specific support the manager owes that person
AI-generated narration with learner-controlled closed captions and free navigation throughout

Reflection: The strongest design decision in this project was the pivot away from an active listening topic early in the process. Reframing around new manager onboarding produced a tighter instructional problem, stronger alignment with real L&D job postings, and a more cohesive scenario. The leadership frameworks came from my own FSU Leaders in Training cohort experience, which made the content feel grounded rather than generic, and that authenticity carried through every interaction and piece of feedback in the course.

Fundamentals in Employment and Human Resources Law

Press the play symbol to view the course walkthrough.

Overview

This course is part of FSU College of Law's Stoops Center executive education program — a portfolio of 25+ fully online, accredited courses serving legal and business professionals. As the sole instructional designer on this program since 2022, I have continuously iterated and expanded the portfolio. This course represents my standard design approach applied consistently across the full program.

Executive Education | Fully Online | 6 Modules

Role: Instructional Designer

Tools: Articulate Rise 360, Canvas LMS, Adobe Premiere Pro, Microsoft PowerPoint

My Process

For each course, I define the learner profile — typically working professionals seeking to expand their legal or business knowledge — and determine appropriate learning activities based on content complexity and audience needs.

Learner feedback is collected through an optional end-of-course survey. I also deploy a longitudinal survey at least 60 days post-completion to gauge how learners are applying the material on the job — an important consideration given that traditional cohort-based analysis isn't feasible in a rolling enrollment model.

Learner Feedback (2025)

4.88 / 5 overall satisfaction
4.94 / 5 instructor expertise
4.82 / 5 clarity and relevance of content
4.88 / 5 navigation and ease of use
100% of respondents would recommend this course

Classifying the Stars eLearning

View Project

Format: Self-Paced eLearning | Concept Project

Overview:

This eLearning module introduces adult learners to the basics of star classification using the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. The course simplifies a complex scientific concept using visual storytelling, plain-language explanations, and interactive learning elements built in Rise 360.

My Role: Instructional Designer

Tools Used: Articulate Rise 360, Canva

Highlights:

Designed a visually engaging and approachable module that breaks down scientific concepts into digestible segments
Embedded interactive diagrams, flip cards, and knowledge checks to encourage active exploration
Incorporated a pre-test and post-test, allowing learners to measure growth and supporting evaluation of learning effectiveness
Applied adult learning principles to support self-paced exploration and retention

Reflection:

This project demonstrates my ability to simplify technical content for a general audience and design an intuitive, structured learning experience. Following the ADDIE model, I analyzed learner needs, structured content progression, designed interactive elements, and evaluated the module's effectiveness using pre-test and post-test data. This project demonstrates my ability to apply learning science principles in designing engaging online courses that support measurable improvements in learner outcomes.