Goals Statement

My goal is to position myself as a database software expert: someone who can both develop user-friendly custom processes for rank and file users and someone who can train users of all skill levels on how to work with the software more effectively. To that end, I am working to combine my proficiency with Slate and my academic studies as a Learning Designer to achieve that goal.

As Slate expands its reach as an enterprise-level database for higher education institutions, the demand for in-house training and skills development will expand. I am currently on-track to earn my LDT master's degree in May, 2025, and my Slate Professional Certification by October, 2025. Armed with these credentials, I will be primed for a promotion into a senior data administration role within the next year. From there, multiple avenues exist from Learning Innovation to Student Information Systems IT work.

This portfolio highlights the skills I have developed in pursuit of my LDT degree. I intend to use this portfolio to demonstrate my capabilities as a learning designer and educator, and how they can complement my Slate expertise to make me a better trainer. These skills include:

Video Production/Post-Production - As demonstrated by the "Introduction to Configurable Joins" capstone project, I am capable of writing, producing, editing, and polishing professional-quality educational videos. A second video, "King Arthur: The Once and Future King of Fanfiction," is a documentary that showcases a wider array of video production and post-production skills, such as more complex sound editing, music editing, transitions, and interpolations of still shots with video.
Instructional Systems Analysis and Planning - My "ISD Process Model" showcases my competencies in evaluating existing educational systems, analyzing their strengths and weakness, and proposing new solutions. Where "Introduction to Configurable Joins" is a finished product ready for use by students, my ISD Process Model is the planning step that precedes developing new learning materials.
Accessibility - Designing for accessibility is a major focus of my learning design. My "Accessibility Review" analyzes multiple websites and webpages used by colleagues and applicants for compliance with WCAG 2.1 -AA accessibility standards. These standards influenced the production of both "Introduction to Configurable Joins" and "King Arthur: The Once and Future King of Fanfiction," particularly in the development of Closed Captioning.
Distance Learning Curriculum Design - "Introduction to Configurable Joins" is a full-fledged curriculum designed with distance-learning best practices in mind. To that end, the course is designed around a series of short videos, most less than 15 minutes long, accompanied by meaningful practice assignments. These practice assignments also provide an opportunity for communication between the instructor and the student, which can be challenging to orchestrate in an asynchronous distance-learning course.

These skills, combined with my expertise and proficiency in Slate and my experience as the Slate Operations Manager, will enable me to achieve my goal of being recognized as a Slate expert worthy of a promotion into a more senior role within Duke University, whether in the Graduate Admissions office or in a more IT-focused role.