Professional Development for Federal Employees
Target Audience: Federal employees, including executive leaders, data analysis, grant management specialists, accountants, and more
Responsibilities: Instructional design through all phases of the ADDIE process
Tools Used: Xyleme, Powtoon, Vyond, Microsoft Excel, and the Regis SimGate platform
Development Time: From 2-12+ weeks
Overview • Experiential Learning and Storytelling • Project Management, Client Needs, and Stakeholder Communication • Excel-based Learning and Accessibility
Overview
I play a pivotal role in developing and updating a wide array of virtual and in-person instructor-led courses across various domains. My responsibilities include leading the course development through all phases of the ADDIE process to ensure engaging and enriching learner-centered experiences. I collaborate closely with subject matter experts, employ agile project management to meet deadlines and budgets, and continuously improve courses based on feedback. Each project begins with an analysis to identify the needs of our learners and project scope. We then map out objectives, lessons, and assessment activities to ensure alignment through a multi-step detailed design process. Development involves technical writing, art direction, and the use of e-learning software to create a broad range of learning assets such as course guides, slide presentations, job aids, and videos.
To protect my employer’s proprietary information, I’ve chosen an alternative approach to showcase some recent projects, placing a stronger emphasis on my problem-solving skills rather than course samples and artifacts. Take a peek at some case studies of my professional projects and the types of skills and knowledge I bring to each project.
Experiential Learning and Storytelling
With an MFA in creative writing and a background in graphic design, I bring a unique blend of creative storytelling and strong technical skills to the field of instructional design. My passion lies in crafting immersive learning experiences that captivate learners and drive meaningful engagement. I specialize in leveraging experiential learning and storytelling techniques to transform complex concepts into compelling narratives.
HR Video Development
Through the course of 10+ weeks, I developed a 2-day HR course for federal employees. Because the course objectives emphasized practical application, I designed this course to be highly interactive and scenario-driven by including animated videos that turned case studies into compelling narratives with real motivation and stakes. While the subject matter expert had doubts about using videos in the classroom, the outcomes were surprisingly positive. The videos felt more authentic and engaging compared to traditional lectures, and they effectively conveyed the consequences of simple mistakes, stirring more meaningful discussions.
Case Studies in Federal Grants Legislation
Over the course of 8+ weeks, I worked with a subject matter to update an introductory 3-day course on federal assistance law to be both clearer and more engaging. I enhanced this course by rewriting dense legal terminology to be more readable to a lay audience, updating examples of relevant court cases, and adding more opportunities for experiential learning through nuanced discussions and immersive scenario-based exercises. One of the biggest changes (and challenges!) included adopting the case study teaching method, which provides chronological narratives of events as they unfold in key court cases, to better immerse participants, help them understand the context and significance of key topics and legislation, and increase active learning.
Project Management, Client Needs, and Stakeholder Communication
As a former publicist, I understand the value and significance of effective and efficient project management and communication with subject matter experts, internal stakeholders, and external clients. Though I am quite meticulous, I strive to streamline processes for my team while ensuring my communication is clear, specific, and tailored to the unique requirements of each project and client. This commitment not only enhances the creative possibilities that arise with collaboration but also ensures that all stakeholders are on the same page, leading to successful outcomes and satisfied clients.
Executive Leadership
Coming soon!
The Practical Applications of Data Ethics
Over 12 weeks, I partnered with a subject matter expert and internal stakeholders to design and develop the inaugural course on the federal data ethics framework for the federal open enrollment market. In this course, learners explore the legal basis of data ethics and put the federal data ethics framework into action in real-world scenarios involving data usage, risk management, and emerging technologies like AI. Given the absence of specific compliance requirements for new data ethics legislation and the ever-changing landscape of AI, this project demanded extensive brainstorming, research, and ongoing communication with stakeholders to meet business and learner needs. To achieve our objectives, I:
- Maintained consistent stakeholder communication with clearly defined action items and meeting recaps
- Aligned and chunked all content according to terminal and enabling objectives, preventing scope creep
- Fostered cross-functional partnerships to secure additional editorial support
- Applied established frameworks, such as the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Risk Management Framework, to translate philosophical ethical discussions into practical applications
- Illustrated key data ethics principles with real-life examples and case studies, highlighting the significance of topics like bias, discrimination, and data privacy security
Excel-based Learning and Accessibility
My Excel journey may seem unconventional, but it’s deeply rooted in my commitment to accessible and inclusive learning. I recognize that not everyone learns in the same way and that people with disabilities–both visible and invisible–face tremendous barriers in adult learning due to inaccessible content. One of my biggest goals as an instructional designer is to continue to upskill and expand my knowledge of accessibility, particularly when it comes to ensuring learning technologies are 508-compliant.
Accessibility in Financial Management
Over the course of 12 weeks, I led the design and development of a financial management five-day course update to ensure it was both 508-compliant and relevant for federal employees. In this course, learners acquire essential skills in program and budget analysis using Excel. They gain hands-on experience in data analysis, graphical representation, and advanced Excel techniques through demos in basic and advanced filtering, sorting, PivotTables, descriptive statistics, correlation, forecasting with linear, polynomial, logarithmic, or exponential trend lines, simple linear and multiple linear regression, and more.
I partnered with a subject matter expert to create and/or refresh over 30 demos and exercises using real data from agencies such as the National Park Service and the U.S. Census Bureau. Through a multi-step analysis and review process, We implemented best practices for accessibility, including:
- Rethinking exercises to function for all participants, particularly when it came to directions
- Using meaningful and descriptive titles, indexes, document properties, data categories, and alt text
- Avoiding merged cells
- Organizing data in a structured manner using correct tables, headers, and lists
- Maintaining consistency by following our style guide and WCAG practices