Annotated Transcript
This annotated transcript highlights the courses I have completed as part of the Master of Arts in Learning Experience Design (MALXD) program at Michigan State University. Courses are organized by the semester in which they were completed and include the course code, title, instructor(s), and a brief overview of the content covered and skills developed. To learn more about the MALXD program, click the button below. Program requirements, including detailed course codes, are also located within the MALXD requirements webpage.
Summer 2020
CEP 800 - Psychology of Learning in School and Other Settings
Instructors: Ron Houtman, Kyle Shack, and Chris Sloan
Prior to beginning the MALXD program, I completed a graduate certificate in Educational Psychology at Michigan State University. As part of this program, I took CEP 800 in the summer of 2020, which was later applied to the MALXD degree requirements. In CEP 800, I developed a personal theory of learning that articulated my definition of learning and examined how learning occurs across different contexts. The course prompted me to critically explore foundational learning theories, identify factors that promote or hinder learning, and evaluate research and literature related to learning. Overall, the experience deepened my understanding of the multifaceted nature of learning and clarified my own beliefs about how people learn.
Fall 2020
CEP 813 - Electronic Assessment for Teaching and Learning
Instructor: Bret Staudt Willet
In Fall 2020, I explored the possibility of pursuing an additional graduate certificate in Online Teaching and Learning through Michigan State University. As part of this exploration, I completed CEP 813, which was later applied toward the MALXD program requirements. CEP 813 provided an in-depth examination of assessment design and implementation. Through the course, I studied a range of assessment theories and approaches, learned how to develop effective assessment checklists and questions, and examined how technology can be leveraged to evaluate learner understanding. The course also emphasized identifying and addressing bias and assumptions in assessment practices, as well as using multiple assessment methods to promote fairness and inclusivity. In my role as an educational developer, I regularly design assessments to evaluate program effectiveness and apply the techniques and skills gained from this course to ensure they are effective.
Fall 2023
CEP 820 - Teaching and Learning Online
Instructor: Anne Heintz
Similar to CEP 813, I completed CEP 820 while pursuing a second graduate certificate in Online Teaching and Learning, which I ultimately discontinued after applying to the MALXD program. CEP 820 focused on instruction in online learning environments and emphasized the design of effective, engaging, and inclusive online experiences. As part of the course, I created a personal manifesto reflecting my beliefs and values about learning, with a focus on my current work designing asynchronous online training experiences. The course challenged me to think more intentionally about how online learning is delivered and experienced, including the ways technology, learner motivation, and time constraints influence engagement and outcomes. I explored strategies for making content more interactive, such as using interactive quizzes and screencasts, and evaluated the importance of aligning learning objectives with activities, assessments, and instructional technologies. CEP 820 strengthened my approach to designing learner-centered online instruction, which is essential in my work in educator development.
Summer 2024
UX 835 - Accessibility and Design
Instructor: Louise Stauffer
In the summer prior to beginning the MALXD program, I completed UX 835 as a lifelong learner and later applied the course toward the MALXD requirements. The course focused on inclusive and accessible design principles and technologies, with an emphasis on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework for removing barriers and offering multiple ways for learners to engage with content. I also explored web accessibility standards, including W3C, WCAG, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Through hands-on work with assistive technologies and accessibility audits of websites and digital tools, I learned how to identify accessibility challenges and propose meaningful design improvements. UX 835 was an eye-opening experience that forever shaped my approach to learning design, reinforcing accessibility as a key priority.
Fall 2024
EAD 861 - Adult Learning
Instructor: Emiko Blalock
In my first semester in the MALXD program, I completed EAD 861, Adult Learning, which examined andragogical theories, focusing on how adults learn, what motivates them, and the internal and external factors that influence adult learning. I primarily work with adult learners and found this course to be highly applicable. As part of the course, I interviewed an adult learner who was completing their doctorate to better understand their approach to learning and engagement. I also explored key learning theories, including constructivism and David Kolb’s experiential learning theory. Through this exploration, I found that I most closely aligned with self-directed learning and situated learning theory, both of which emphasize hands-on, applied experiences as central to effective learning. For the culminating project, I identified an adult learning problem within a population I work with and designed a course to address it, which integrated my personal learning philosophy, relevant theoretical frameworks, and facilitation strategies for effective implementation.
Spring 2025
CEP 822 - Approaches to Educational Research
Instructor: Cary Roseth
CEP 822 examined key components of the research process, including experimental and null hypotheses, properties of interest, and basic statistical analyses such as t-tests. We also studied regulations related to research with human subjects, including the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process at both institutional and national levels.Through applied coursework, I practiced field observation, developed interview protocols, and designed multiple research designs, including a data collection tool (a survey), an annotated bibliography, and a comprehensive action research plan. The course provided hands-on experience with every stage of the research process, from identifying participants and selecting methods for observation and data collection to analyzing data and reporting findings. This equipped me to use research to inform the designs I create.
Fall 2025
CEP 856 - Learning Design Leadership
Instructor: Blair Stamper
CEP 856 deepened my understanding of leadership styles, values, and project management. Through the course, I developed a personal leadership philosophy, examined bias in leadership and strategies to mitigate it, and identified a leadership approach that resonated with me. I applied this preferred style to address an organizational challenge by creating a project scope statement that tracked stakeholders, team meetings, feedback loops, and deadlines. By the end of the course, I had developed a global vision of leadership design, built an interactive tool to address a challenge in academic advising, launched a coaching and feedback plan to support team growth and development, and synthesized my leadership projects and values into a comprehensive dashboard demonstrating real-world application. I now have a clear understanding of my shared leadership style and apply it to managing large-scale projects.
CEP 857 - Current Topics and Trends in Learning Design
Instructor: Candace Robertson
In CEP 857, I explored how historical learning design theories and models, such as ADDIE, SAM, and Gagné’s Nine Events, continue to shape modern learning experience design. The course also examined emerging trends, including artificial intelligence and microlearning. Using empathy mapping, I identified key learner needs and designed targeted solutions that applied current instructional design approaches and I collaborated with a colleague to brainstorm and refine a design solution addressing needs identified through empathy mapping, ultimately developing a design justice plan grounded in liberatory design principles. I was challenged to use tools such as Figma to create wireframes and prototypes for various iterations, moving through each stage of the design process from ideation to launch. The course emphasized the importance of play and experimentation, and led to my use of frameworks like liberatory design and microlearning in future projects.
Spring 2026
CEP 858 - Upskilling in Learning Design
Instructor: Andrew Saltarelli
In this course, I created specific goals for my professional development in the field of instructional and learning experience design. In each unit, I explored an area of development that supports my future as a designer, such as diving into JavaScript or learning how to use Adobe Captivate. I then created a personal action plan to advance my goals in this area over the next three weeks and reflected on the key takeaways from that period. At the end of the course, I have an action plan for meeting professional development goals, a collection of resources to support my growth, and showcase a project that reflects the new knowledge I've gained.
CEP 807 - Capstone Seminar
Instructors: Matthew Koehler and Megan Eikey
The Capstone Seminar is a culmination of everything I've learned and acquired over the course of the MALXD program. Through this course, I've developed an online portfolio that showcases my writings, blog posts, designs, and additional artifacts. Throughout the course, I've shared examples of work and obtain feedback from instructors and peers to continue improving on portfolio. CEP 807 challenged me to translate my learning design process into an easy-to-navigate, comprehensive virtual portfolio that clearly communicates my work and thinking.