Notes from the Instructional Design Studio
Experiences, Stories, Insights, and Advice
From Experience to Purpose: Finding My Path in Instructional Design
January 30, 2026
For a long time, I didn’t have a clear answer to the question, “What do you want to do?”
What I did have was a collection of experiences working in education, supporting students, teaching technology, and navigating complex systems that didn’t seem to fit into a single path at first.
It wasn’t until I discovered instructional design that everything started to connect.
Designing Together: Why Collaboration Makes Better Learning Experiences
March 25, 2025
One of the biggest shifts in my journey as an instructional designer has been recognizing this:
You can’t see everything on your own.
No matter how experienced or thoughtful you are, there are always gaps in perspective, blind spots in design, and opportunities you might miss.
That’s where collaboration becomes essential, not just helpful but necessary.
Making Canvas LMS More Accessible: Designing Systems That Support Inclusive Teaching
March 3, 2026
As instructional designers, we often focus on making individual learning materials accessible.
However, accessibility doesn’t just live in the content, it also lives in the systems we use to create that content.
Learning Management Systems (LMSs), like Canvas, shape the availability of accessible learning experiences and influence how easily instructors can implement accessibility features.
The Power of Storytelling: Designing Connection in Instructional Design and Professional Identity
February 26, 2026
As I’ve been building my portfolio and professional presence, I’ve started to think more intentionally about how I present myself, not just what I share but how I share it.
One idea that has stood out to me is the role of storytelling.
What initially feels like a creative choice is actually something much deeper. Storytelling is a cognitive strategy that shapes how people understand, remember, and connect with information.
Strategies for Networking: Networking Through Generosity
February 25, 2026
As I move closer to completing my Instructional Design Certificate, I’ve started to see my work differently.
What once felt like individual course assignments has become something more meaningful. I now have a growing portfolio that reflects not just what I can create, but how I think as a designer.
At the same time, I’ve started to think more intentionally about networking, not just as a way to advance my career, but as an opportunity to support others through generosity.
Screen Readers and Audio Access: Designing Beyond Format
February, 23 2025
As I continue exploring accessibility in instructional design, I’ve been thinking more critically about what it really means to make information accessible. It’s easy to assume that providing an alternative format, like audio, is enough. But a recent experience exploring two forms of audio access has challenged that assumption for me.
I have come to realize that accessibility is not just about offering another format. It’s about whether that format can actually be followed, understood, and sustained over time.
Google Sites vs. WordPress.org: Choosing the Right Platform for My Portfolio
February 13, 2026
As I began building my instructional design portfolio, I found myself reflecting on an important decision: which platform would best represent my work and my growth?
Previously, I used Google Sites to create a multimedia project. It was a great starting point; intuitive, efficient, and easy to use. But as I began thinking more intentionally about my professional portfolio, I realized I needed something more flexible.
That’s what led me to explore WordPress.org.
Using Sensus Access: Expanding Accessibility Through UDL Design
February 11, 2026
As I continue developing my instructional design practice, I’ve been thinking more intentionally about how to make content accessible in flexible and meaningful ways.
One tool that helped me explore this in a practical way is Sensus Access, which allows content to be converted into multiple formats.
To become more familiar with this tool, I took a PDF infographic I created for my office and converted it into an audio (MP3) file. This transformed the visual resource into an alternative format that could be accessed in and entirely different way.
Understanding Multiple Intelligences: Designing for the Diversity of How People Learn
February 4, 2026
As I continue developing my instructional design practice, I’ve been thinking more deeply about how individuals learn and how often traditional education systems fail to reflect that diversity.
After completing a multiple intelligences assessment, I had the opportunity to reflect not only on my own learning preferences, but also on how this framework connects to equity, instructional design, and inclusive teaching practices.