KATHERINE.STARR.WORK@GMAIL.COM
Instructional Designer
Designing pathways to learning that are fun, meaningful, and effective.
From Microlearning to Curriculum Development
Evidence-Based Approach
Understanding by Design
Multimedia Learning Theory
Professional Summary
Instructional Designer | Learning Consultant | eLearning Specialist
With over 20 years of experience in education and 6+ years specializing in eLearning, instructional technology, and LMS administration, I bridge pedagogy and technology to create engaging, effective learning experiences that address real-world needs.
My expertise includes:
- Instructional Design & eLearning Development: SCORM-compliant content, multimedia courses, interactive video, microlearning, and blended/hybrid design.
- Learning Management Systems: Advanced administration and training experience with Brightspace (D2L), Adobe Learning Manager, and Blackboard.
- Faculty & Staff Development: Coaching and mentoring instructors, facilitating workshops, aligning courses with SOP and Quality Matters standards, and building reusable templates and resources to streamline content production.
- Collaboration & Project Leadership: Partnering with SMEs, internal and external collaborators to design instructional programs, implement compliance training, and support change initiatives.
I thrive at the intersection of innovation and service—whether guiding faculty through system migrations, developing compliance training for large teams, or designing accessible curriculum and job aids. Known for excellent writing skills, creativity, and a consultative approach, I enjoy empowering others to confidently use new tools and strategies while ensuring their learners remain engaged and successful.
Currently, I’m seeking opportunities to help organizations achieve their instructional goals through proven knowledge transfer best practices, improve compliance and performance, and transform organizational cultures into environments that embrace training as a powerful tool for growth.
- I have a Master of Arts in Organization, Information & Learning Sciences, Instructional Design and Technology concentration from the University of New Mexico, 2019-2021.
- I love solving problems, and I am a natural organizer and systems creator.
- I have 5 years’ experience developing content for online courses for adult learners and applying adult learning theory.
- My research into the Multimedia Design Theory guides me to create colorful, engaging content without fluff or extraneous content.
- I approach Instructional Design using the Backwards Design (or Understanding by Design), where the focus is on honing in on the most important takeaways. Combining this with clearly identifying learning gaps and learning objectives, and identifying some motivators for the learners, I can work with SMEs to design training solutions that satisfy learners while meeting the learning objectives.
- A seasoned remote worker, I am adept at using a myriad of creative and communication software platforms to create content and collaborate with SMEs and colleagues.
- My research and experience with gamification inform my understanding of how to use this tool where appropriate to motivate learners and support learning goals.
Recent Work
As part of my effort to improve the quality and accessibility of annual compliance training at the Albuquerque Police Department, I used Camtasia to enhance the visual interest of courses that were previously presented as recorded PowerPoint presentations, where the instructor was recorded lecturing and then the audio was overlaid on the PowerPoint.
Both courses were created under a high-pressure deadline where completion took precedence over perfection. The first course was developed using the established organizational practice of creating a video from a PowerPoint Presentation. As I worked on this project, especially when I made changes, the extra step of using PowerPoint became apparent. Therefore, I created the second course by designing directly in Camtasia, which worked extremely well and was quicker.
The First Course
Both of these online courses are annual compliance courses required by all APD sworn personnel, even the chief.
The first course, Ensuring Child Safety Under Parental Arrest, is about an hour long, including the assessment questions. The course consists of eight sections and is presented in nine videos. Only one sample is presented here, and the others may be viewed upon request.
The Second Course
The second course, Stress Management, is six parts presented in seven videos. This method of taking voice narration and creating visual content using Camtasia was revolutionary at the police academy, and until they saw the final product, some found it difficult to imagine. This more engaging style for online learning earned many eager supporters.
Freelance Project
This is a sample lesson within a module for a course on educating consumers on debit and credit cards. I consulted with the client closely to develop a framework and style for migrating written course material for face-to-face delivery to engaging content for online consumption.
https://app.screencast.com/txFDFQLGmqQO4
Skills
- Adult Learning Theory
- Distance Learning • eLearning
- Curriculum Development
- Gamification • Simulation
- Microlearning
- Project Management
- SME Consultation & Collaboration
- Theory of Multimedia Learning
- ADDIE • SAM • Kirkpatrick Model
- Bloom’s Taxonomy
- Backwards Design (Understanding by Design)
- Universal Design for Learning
- Evidence-Based Approaches
- Quality Matters
- Written and Verbal Communication
- Technical Writing • Editing • Proofreading
- Camtasia and Snagit
- Adobe Captivate
- Articulate Rise
- Video and Audio Editing
- Storyboarding
- Graphic Design
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe Photoshop
- Learning Management Systems
- Adobe Learning Manager
- D2L Brightspace • Moodle • Canvas • Blackboard
- Microsoft Office 365
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Zoom • MS Teams • Webex
- WordPress
- Slack • ClickUp