Philosophy of Instruction

My Professional Mission

In instructional design, my professional mission is to empower learners through effective, efficient, and engaging eLearning experiences. I believe in leveraging instructional theory and technology to create inclusive learning environments that equip learners with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

My Underlying Approach

Merrill's First Principles of Instruction are fundamental to my approach. They underscore the importance of authentic problems, activation, demonstration, application, and integration. To apply First Principles, I turn to Merrill’s Pebble-in-the-Pond, a problem-centered, iterative instructional design model. Together, they form a robust approach to instructional design that truly prioritizes the learner. 

This approach helps me design active instruction that builds on what learners already know and introduces new knowledge and skills. It supports a gradual progression from simple to complex problems, and provides ample opportunities for demonstration and application. It also enables learners to integrate what they've learned into their daily lives. This holistic view aims to ensure that instructional design is purposeful and interconnected, contributing to a comprehensive, transformative learning experience.

My Core Values 

Promoting equity and diversity are equally integral to my philosophy of instruction. I acknowledge the diverse backgrounds, needs, experiences, and abilities of learners. My aim is to design learning experiences that are inclusive, culturally responsive, and accessible to all, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or abilities. I utilize strategies such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL), culturally responsive instruction, and inclusive language and imagery to achieve this goal.

My Commitment to Learners and Stakeholders

Above all, I am committed to the success and satisfaction of both learners and stakeholders. I believe in close collaboration with stakeholders to understand their needs, goals, and constraints, and to develop tailored solutions that surpass their expectations. Additionally, I prioritize the needs of learners, soliciting feedback throughout the design process and refining my designs based on their input. By maintaining this dual focus, I aim to create instruction that not only achieves desired outcomes but also inspires and empowers learners to realize their full potential.