Body
she/her
Learner Experience Designer
I started as an educator, and have taught all ages, from 2 to 102! My first position in higher education was four years ago, but I’ve designed courses and learning in healthcare and the public sector for over a decade, and taught in the classroom even before that. I’m a Canvas Certified Educator, and focus on helping faculty leverage technology, pedagogy, and empathy to build courses that focus on the relationship between the learner and the content. I have a B.A. in Psychology, and an M.A. in Teaching with a focus on curriculum and design.
When I’m not partnering with faculty you can find me solving logic puzzles, volunteering with schools, or searching for the world’s best chocolate chip cookie recipe.
It’s hard to pick just one! My hobby might just be trying new hobbies… I love learning new things and exploring different crafts. Lately, I’m on a quest to perfect the chocolate chip cookie, crochet a realistic octopus, and volunteer with schools to improve financial education in Pennsylvania. So far I can tell you that the state of the butter you use in your cookie will drastically change its appearance/texture, an acrylic yarn blend is the best medium for creating small sea life critters, and 2nd graders are way better at city planning than most professionals!
Did you know?
Designing courses centered around learners makes the course more intuitive for both students.. and faculty. If I’ve learned anything through my career, it’s that frustration with mediums or technology can drastically impact the amount of knowledge that is transferred or retained. I became a Canvas Certified Educator so I could help faculty maximize the resources the learning management system has to offer, to hone in course designs that keep the learners first and foremost in mind.
Ologies with Allie Ward - This podcast is a lighthearted and informative look at all of the "ologies" of science! If you like learning a little bit about everything, this is a great one-stop shop. Allie explores a different topic each week with experts from the fields. Topics range from Puffinology (Yes, Puffins!) to Heliology (Suns/Eclipse), to Coffeeology (Coffee).