About Us

Dr. Rafael da Silva teaches:

E-Learning Authoring and Development

Through hands-on practice, students demonstrate emerging foundational knowledge and skills required to use e-Learning authoring tools and develop efficient, effective, and engaging, performance-based e-Learning objects to support workplace learning. Students exit the course with samples of an instructional video, a web-based instructional module, a scenario-based e-Learning object, and a final project with supporting design documentation.

E-Learning Content Design and Learning Management Systems

Students will learn foundational principles for implementing e-learning solutions and learning management/content management systems. Students will evaluate e-learning demo programs and study the use of reusable learning objects, sharable content objects, metadata and e-learning standards in the current e-learning practice. Students will develop sample multimedia learning objects and implement them on a learning management system.

Special Topics: Game-Based and Gamified Learning

Students will learn how to design engaging and interactive learning interventions using game-based learning (GBL) theories, as well as how to gamify the learning process by including game mechanics, game-design elements, and game principles to engage and motivate the learner to accomplish the desired learning outcomes.

Portfolio

A broad-based selection of significant student work that is used to appraise student performance and professional development. A portfolio reflects the depth and breadth of a student’s educational growth since entering the graduate program.

Alexis holds a B.S. in Business Psychology from Palo Alto University and almost a decade’s experience in operational and customer service roles. Alexis has worked in a variety of industries, from health and fitness to IT. Since Fall 2022, she has pursued her Master’s degree in OPWL at Boise State as a full-time student and assisted Dr. da Silva as a part-time research and teaching assistant. Throughout her time working with Dr. da Silva, Alexis has been provided with opportunities to create interactive and engaging learning objects using various authoring tools for multiple classes within the OPWL program. In addition to her work with Dr. da Silva, Alexis also works as an Instructional Design Intern with Bellevue University. In her free time, Alexis enjoys staying active by hiking and rock climbing.

Hey there! I’m located in Boise, Idaho, but I’m originally from the green state of Oregon. Most days, you’ll find me hanging out with my family and our pets, taking easy walks, or hitting the paddleboard when the weather’s right. I started my academic journey with a Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, where I focused on sociology, anthropology, and psychology. Recently, I earned a graduate certificate in Workplace Learning and Instructional Design from Boise State . Driven by my passion for continuous learning, at the moment I am working on a master’s program in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning, from Boise State as well. What drew me to the lab is the opportunity to gain additional practical experience in e-learning. I am especially excited about utilizing Articulate Storyline to craft branching scenarios alongside a variety of AI tools. I can’t wait to get started.

My name is Esther Daniells. I am a graduate student at Boise State University (BSU) pursuing a Master of Science in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning. This past Fall (2022), I graduated with a graduate certificate in Workplace Instructional Design (WIDe). Most of my work experience is in the pharmaceutical laboratory space. I am passionate about exploring creative and efficient ways to improve training for lab personnel. Although most of my experience is in science, I enjoy learning about various training methods and approaches. I currently reside in Massachusetts with my two dogs. I have a 14-year-old English Bull Terrier and a 2-year-old Chinuhua (which makes for an exciting home dynamic). Outside of taking care of my dogs, I am an avid reader and enjoy going to concerts and theater shows.

Greetings, I am Melissa Davis, the Training and Development Manager at a multi-state behavioral health organization headquartered in Colorado. I live in Colorado Springs and share my life with my partner, finding joy in skiing, traveling, and cherishing moments with our children and grandchild. As a lifelong learner, I am on the verge of completing my Master’s in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning (OPWL) with a specialized focus on instructional design and e-learning. I recently helped transition my company to e-learning, propelling me to seek mastery in tools like Storyline and graphic design within Rise 360. I’m eager to refine my e-learning skills through hands-on experiences within this lab. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow students and creating more impactful materials for my organization.

Greetings, my name is Joo Eun “June” Haldeman, and I plan to graduate with my OPWL Master’s degree in 2024. Currently I work as an instructional technology training specialist at the University of Texas at Dallas where I assist faculty and staff create and manage online courses and content with training, tutorials, and course design. I also create student tutorials using the learning management system Blackboard. Training and online learning have been a constant part of my professional experience when I previously worked as an instructor, freelance artist, and sales rep. So, I am excited to be a part of the Interactive Learning Design team because I want to create engaging training that addresses performance gaps and produces measurable results. Because technology is rapidly changing, I am also interested in AI content for instruction and assessment. When I am not working or studying, I enjoy gardening and walking.

I’m Osemome Ndebbio. Most people call me Ose (“Oh Say”). I enjoy making learning more accessible using technology and evidence-based practices. In the past, I have worked with nonprofit organizations to help improve the educational and health outcomes of communities that experience avoidable disparities. In my learning and development work, I aim to close performance gaps by designing effective learning experiences. Leo Buscaglia’s quote, “change is the end result of all true learning,” resonates with my learning philosophy. As such, I always seek ways to remove learning barriers so learners can take the steps necessary to improve their outcomes through learning or profitable actions.

One of my favorite words is vigor! It is the approach I bring to the experiences and opportunities that come my way. When I’m not working or learning, I listen to audiobooks or enjoy rewarding pursuits with my friends and family.

My name is Jen Weiss, and I will be graduating with my MS in Instructional Design in December 2023.  I have been working in the L&D space since 2015 as a curriculum designer and facilitator in the Life and Disability Insurance industry.  I currently work as a Senior Training Specialist at Mutual of Omaha and am the L&D point person for onboarding and training a new API system for the enrollment organization.

My husband and I moved last year from the rainy and muggy Southeastern US to enjoy life at the beach in sunny Southern California.  We currently reside in Carlsbad, CA.  We have 3 children who elected to remain in Tennessee for school, Maggie 21, Tristin 20, and Lenny 16, who we see 3-4 times per year.  We also parent the world’s most spoiled Schnoodle, Fenris, who is 9 months old.

Fun fact: Every year my husband and I have a wedding ceremony and get married again.  So far we have been married in our home, on a pedestrian bridge over the TN River, in a church, in Vegas by Elvis, and on the beach by our rabbi.

I am an educator and adjunct professor who migrated into the field of instructional design in 2020 when the university where I was teaching had to quickly pivot and adapt courses to an on-line format.  I enjoy bridging my background in teaching teachers of second language learners as well as my global perspective to the courses I create. I earned my graduate certificate in Workplace E-Learning Design and Development this past spring and have enjoyed experimenting and creating tailored learning experiences in with various authoring tools and am excited to continue honing my development skills.  I am interested in creating engaging learning experiences and courses that address workplace soft skills and allow users to develop harmonious and balanced relationships to work and coworker relations.  I live in Nashville, TN with my partner and enjoy hiking, gardening and meditation in my free time.  I especially enjoy going on multi-day backpacking trips and silent retreats.