• Communicates effectively in oral and written formats 

• Effectively communicates content through the design and delivery of teaching/learning activities that integrate content and pedagogy

• Demonstrates the ability to adapt instruction and assessment techniques to the needs of diverse learners

     The case study showcased designing an educational video game for a local alternative high school’s history class. I had to research Executive Order 9066, the relocation of Japanese and Japanese-Americans to internment camps. After researching, I had to synthesize the information gathered and outline a design product for the video game. These tasks were very challenging for me because of my unfamiliarity with the subject and my discomfort with the idea of designing a video game. As an educator, I have never used video games and was never personally interested in them. This assignment involved doing a pitch presentation: I had to explain briefly and concisely my ideas for a video game covering this history topic. I received helpful feedback and support from my professor and peers. What stood out was that my peers did not like the idea of pre-reading before playing the video game. I took this with a grain of salt because my idea was to develop good study habits. Many students do not read or prepare for class. This assignment taught me how to maintain objectivity. Although I was not emotionally invested, I focused on the students’ learning goals. I designed a video game that would assess their knowledge along the way through a scavenger hunt. 

     In my Digital Storytelling Project, I focused on my journey in language learning. I created a video with graphics, text, music, and audio (my voice) to explain my love for language teaching and learning. Communicating knowledge can be made engaging through the proper selection of visuals representing my talk. I also added music to create a relaxing environment. I learned to coordinate the script with the graphics, text, and music. I took a technology workshop similar to this course, but I also realized how that particular knowledge could quickly become obsolete with technology advancing fast. This assignment included peer feedback, so on both ends, I had to articulate to my peer my rationale for my choices in creating my project. In return, I also needed to provide feedback on her work, so I used all the terms and concepts learned to communicate my thoughts on her design effectively and tactfully. 

     The last artifact, The Evaluation Plan, was a rewarding experience because it allowed me to demonstrate my ability to apply Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick’s (2006) four levels of training evaluation model. This assignment had an authentic feel, given that the company, JetBlue, exists. Even though my professional training is in academia, it was easy to adapt instruction and assessment techniques to conceptualize a training course and evaluation on leadership for newly hired employees and those needing a refresher. This particular assignment made me realize the possibilities of working as an instructional designer in corporate settings. I was motivated to expand my instructional designer repertoire.