My time in UCF's Instructional Design & Technology program was an incredible journey that shaped both my skills and perspective. I am deeply grateful for the guidance I received along the way. Our professors did more than teach - they invested themselves in our success, constantly encouraging us to grow and challenge ourselves. Their passion for the field, combined with their compassion and empathy, made the experience unforgettable.

The projects showcased on this page reflect the work I completed during my master's program. Each one represents not just what I learned, but also the personal and professional growth I experienced throughout this transformative process.

While I have continued to build upon these skills in my current role, I have not included recent work due to proprietary and privacy considerations for my employer. However, I would be delighted to discuss the exciting things I continue to learn and what lies ahead on my journey:)

Innovative Technologies

Minimalism: An Introduction (video presentation; Fall 2022)

During the fall of 2022, I had the pleasure of participating in the Multimedia for Education and Training course. During the course we studied web authoring, a little coding, graphics & visuals, audio & video, and so much more! Like all of the courses in the ID&T program, this course challenged me to expand my creative boundaries. This YouTube video (Minimalism: An Introduction) is part of the Final Multimedia Project for that course.

Journey to Minimalism Podcast Ep. 1 (audio presentation; Fall 2022)

Expanding on the topic of minimalism for the Multimedia for Education and Training Class, I created this podcast. This was my first attempt at audio editing and it was a little intimidating. I am, however, fully aware that we don't grow if we won't step outside of our comfort zones, so I jumped in and added a new skill to my repertoire.

Lifelong Learners Unite Podcast Ep.1 (audio presentation; Fall 2022)

In the spring of 2023, as part of my Distance Education: Technology Process Product class, I tested my skills at podcasting yet again. The timing was perfect as I was building on skills I had learned the previous semester. This podcast was produced during a time that I was considering research topics for future doctoral work and represents my love for lifelong learning and my desire to help others pursue personal growth and development in any area that stirs passion in their hearts.

The Power of Storytelling

Elite Construction of Naples Transmedia Gallery

EME 6346 Story Design for Instruction with Dr. Campbell was one of my favorite classes! Our main project in this class was creating a transmedia learning experience, combining the storytelling fundamentals.

My transmedia gallery could have been labeled "inspired by a true story" since I was using storytelling to capture some recent career events and, better yet, to plan for future events.

These documents were created for a fictitious business in the process of launching a new initiative. The stories told in these documents would serve to communicate the purpose and importance of the new program, educating the team to earn their support. Considerable thought and effort were devoted to each of these items and great care was given to ensure that the message and branding were consistent and in alignment with the goals of the organization, integral parts of all instructional design.

Included here are links to:

Essential Tools

Intro to Effective Communication Course

In the spring of 2024, I was presented with the opportunity to build a course for Virtual Teaching and the Digital Educator. What an incredible (and enjoyable) experience building the Intro to Effective Communication course was! I could easily see the team for whom I was building and the content that needed to be organized and shared with them. Lessons were learned regarding accessibility, usability, and functionality that will serve me (and my team) every day.

These course assignments showcased many essential tools, among them: Canvas, Canva, Excel (old school but reliable), Genially, PowerPoint, and Google Slides. This course also presented the opportunity to practice skills that are essential in instructional design, such as: building rubrics, creating assessments, developing syllabi, video recording, graphic design, and content curation. Click on the images for links to the products described on the image footers.

Canvas access requires and invitation. If you would like to view the course, please email me (jamiebaker12@gmail.com).

Learner-Centered Design

Internship Module (Wisetail LMS course; Summer 2024)

During my internship with PCL, I continued working full-time at BCB Homes, where one of key initiatives was developing a structured program for our interns. Although we have had interns each summer since I joined BCB Homes, this was the first year we implemented an official program.

Together with our Sr. Director of Organizational Development, I worked to create an engaging and valuable 8-week experience. It was such a success that we now plan to adapt and expand it, integrating it into our New Team Member Orientation & Onboarding Process.

I am incredibly proud of what we built and excited to see how it continues to evolve! While the program itself is proprietary and cannot be shared, I am happy to discuss our approach - trust me, it was fantastic:) Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Quick Design Tips (Infographic for Non-IDs; Summer 2024)

During one of our ID Collaboration Calls at PCL, we discussed how to best support other departments when developing training without the full resources of the Design & Development team - something that often happens due to time or budget constraints.

The instructional designer who led the call is brilliant - highly meticulous, detail-oriented, and deeply committed to creating the best possible learning experiences. However, she was concerned that her detailed instructions and guidance might be overwhelming for non-IDs. To ensure the training being developed truly served the learners, she asked us to brainstorm ways to make her recommendations more accessible and actionable.

During our discussion, I realized that the classic journalists' questions could provide a helpful framework. Inspired by this, I created an infographic and shared it with her. It turned out to be exactly what she needed to streamline her message while still delivering essential insights.

Fortunately, many non-IDs are eager to share their expertise, and having a tool like this makes it easier to simplify complex information. By providing clear, structured guidance, we can foster a more collaborative and efficient approach to developing learner-centered training.

Easing Adult Learner Anxiety (Canva Presentation; Summer 2024)

If you have not gathered by now, I am a proponent of lifelong learning and believe it is essential to living a fulfilling life - especially as we age. One common concern I often hear is that older learners are afraid to try something new, fearing failure. I want to help them overcome that fear.

So, when I had the opportunity to present at one of PCL's monthly ID Collaboration Calls, I knew this was the perfect topic to explore with this incredible group. At my manager's suggestion, I drew inspiration from Make It Stick, a book he previously recommended. Its insights were invaluable in shaping my approach.

My central question to the team was: Can we strategically design training to help alleviate learning-related anxiety in older learners? The discussion that followed was both enlightening and inspiring, filled with thoughtful ideas and practical strategies.

Reflecting on these products, what strikes me most is the transition between the first section (Innovative Technologies) and the rest of the page.

There is a clear shift from the “how” to the “why”. “Innovative Technologies” represents the knowledge gained in the ID&T program, while the “The Power of Storytelling”, ”Essential Tools”, and “Learner-Centered Design” sections represent the purpose I found while pursuing this degree.

I have found my calling.

I am blessed to have a family that encourages me to chase my dreams, friends and colleagues who support those dreams, and the passion to pursue them with fervor so that I can help others reach their goals as well. I will always be grateful, and I will never take it for granted.

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