E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate
Facilitators
Michael Allen, Ph.D.
Michael W. Allen, PhD is chairman and CEO of Allen Interactions, Inc., whose studios build universally acclaimed custom e-learning, provide strategic learning consulting, and train e-learning professionals in collaboration with the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD).
With a PhD in educational psychology from The Ohio State University, Dr. Allen has pioneered multimedia learning technologies, interactive instructional paradigms, and rapid-prototyping processes, bringing each forward into leading corporate enterprises. He is an adjunct associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, a popular conference speaker, and a prolific writer. His latest book, the second in Michael Allen's E-Learning Library series, is Designing Successful e-Learning – Forget What You Know About Instructional Design and Do Something Interesting.
Through a proven process and skills born from experience, Allen Interactions delivers exciting interactive solutions that enhance knowledge, skills and performance. It is one of the most successful and highly regarded providers of custom e-learning, training, and consulting, with studios in Minneapolis, Tampa, and San Francisco.
Julie Dirksen
Julie Dirksen is an independent consultant and instructional designer who has more than 15 years experience creating highly interactive e-learning experiences for clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to innovative technology startups to major grant-funded research initiatives. Her focus has been on utilizing the disciplines of educational psychology, neuroscience, change management and persuasive technology to promote and support the improvement of peoples’ lives through sustainable long-term learning and behavioral change.
Ms. Dirksen holds an M.S. degree in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. She has also been an adjunct faculty member at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she taught courses in Project Management, Instructional Design and Cognitive Psychology.
She has been a featured speaker at many industry conferences including the ASTD (American Society of Training & Development) International Conference & Expo, the e-Learning Guild and the Learning and Entertainment Evolution Forum.
Ethan Edwards
Ethan has been designing online instruction for almost 25 years, beginning with work at the PLATO laboratory at the University of Illinois, continuing through positions at Authorware, Macromedia, Microsoft, and as a consultant with a host of top companies in the United States and abroad. As Chief Knowledge Officer at Allen Interactions, a nationally-recognized company dedicated to creating the world's best custom e-Learning applications, Ethan is responsible for internal and external training and communication regarding Allen Interactions' unique perspective on designing and developing meaningful and memorable e-Learning programs. While focused primarily on corporate training, Ethan has comprehensive experience with education and government institutions, having worked extensively in libraries and schools as a full-time consultant with the Lincoln Trail Libraries System in Champaign, IL. He is also a licensed secondary mathematics teacher. He is the primary instructor for ASTD's Instructional Design for e-Learning certificate course, and has spoken at conferences and private presentations throughout the world.
Edmond Manning
Edmond Manning has produced WBT and CBT applications for the past 10 years for clients such as Sprint, Corning, Manpower, Abbott Laboratories, Kraft Inc., and others. Instructional topics ranged from software simulation to ethics and presentation skills. Edmond has helped mentor and create a CBT department for a Household Finance Corporation division; designed and constructed online help for a 120 million dollar customized software package; and written/conducted instructor-led training in customized software as well as Macromedia's Flash. Manning has a Masters of Science degree from Northern Illinois University in Instructional Technology and a Bachelors degree in English, graduating as the valedictorian from the University's Honors Program. Manning's professional interests include accelerated learning, interface design, effective goal integration, and budgeting.
Carla Torgerson
Carla Torgerson has been an instructional strategist (instructional designer) with Allen Interactions since 2006. She has over 10 years of experience developing engaging, interactive e-learning, working with numerous Fortune 500 companies.
Carla has also had various teaching roles over the past 12 years, including teaching junior high at New Horizons, a charter school for gifted children. Carla was employed at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, for 5 years, helping faculty members to enhance student learning in the classroom and online. While there she also taught college courses in multimedia design and development.
Carla earned a Bachelor of Education focused in elementary education and a Master of Education focused in multimedia design and development, both from the University of Alberta in Canada. She is also a certified SCUBA diver and has dived on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.