AI Learning Experience Designer
Designing learning experiences that work at the speed of technology; where IT infrastructure depth meets instructional science and AI enablement.
About
Most instructional designers approach technical content from the outside. I come at it from the inside. I spent over 15 years in network engineering, IT infrastructure, and systems management, and taught those same disciplines as a technical instructor before moving into instructional design. I don't translate technical content from the outside; I know the work from the inside. That combination shapes everything about how I work: how I design learning experiences, partner with subject-matter experts, and build hands-on labs and activities that reflect real-world practice. For the last seven years at Western Governors University, I've been doing exactly that across 60+ courses in the College of IT, working closely with assessment developers to ensure curriculum and evaluation are tightly aligned, with AI prompt engineering now at the core of my work.
I'm actively seeking remote full-time and contract opportunities at the intersection of instructional design, IT domain expertise, and AI-enabled learning.
ADDIE, SAM, Bloom's Taxonomy, hands-on lab design, formative assessments
Network engineering, systems management, IT management, project management, IT security
Curriculum-integrated AI workflows, prompt libraries, AI ethics, AI prompt training
Adobe Captivate, Open edX LMS, Canvas LMS, Canva, HTML/CSS
Portfolio
A growing collection of work samples spanning instructional design, AI integration, and performance support — each built to demonstrate both the craft and the thinking behind it.
Branching Scenario · Ethics · Adobe Captivate
An interactive branching scenario placing learners in realistic workplace situations involving AI decision-making. Designed to surface nuanced ethical tradeoffs without prescribing a single "correct" outcome.
eLearning Module · Adobe Captivate
A full Adobe Captivate eLearning module teaching prompt construction fundamentals, paired with a companion job aid for on-the-job reference. Designed for office professionals new to working with generative AI.
eLearning Module · Job Aid
A job aid created in Canva designed as a companion to the Build an Effective AI Prompt Adobe Captivate module. Designed as quick visual reference sheet for creating effective AI prompts.
Interactive Tool · Web App
A live interactive HTML tool featuring 12 prompt templates across 4 IT categories — with live search, tag filtering, and one-click copy. Built to give IT practitioners immediate on-the-job access to structured AI prompts.
Case Studies
A look inside the design decisions, constraints, and outcomes that shaped each project: from needs analysis through evaluation.
Workflow Design · AI Integration
How a scalable prompt engineering curriculum was designed, piloted, and integrated across the IT college — including analysis frameworks, stakeholder decisions.
Read Case Study →Branching Scenario · AI Ethics
The design process behind the AI Ethics Scenario — how branching scenario logic was used to create genuine ethical tension, and why avoiding a prescribed outcome was itself an instructional decision.
Read Case Study →Job Aid · Performance Support
How a companion reference tool was designed alongside the Build an Effective AI Prompt module to reinforce the four-component prompting framework during real workplace tasks.
Read Case Study →Interactive Tool · Performance Support
Why a web-based performance support tool — not a document or a course — was the right intervention for IT professionals spending too much time writing AI prompts from scratch.
Read Case Study →Testimonials
Feedback from collaborators, peers, and leaders who have worked alongside me in instructional design and AI enablement.
What makes James especially effective is that he brings a level of subject matter expertise to instructional design that is difficult to teach. His background in IT, systems, security, and infrastructure allows him to engage with highly technical content at a much deeper level than many instructional designers can.
His ability to design engaging learning experiences while staying at the forefront of emerging technologies and AI integration is top-notch. Whether he is developing curriculum, exploring creative solutions with AI, or helping others understand complex concepts, James consistently brings both insight and practicality to the table.
His work as an instructional designer is exceptional. His depth of knowledge goes beyond the foundational principles of instructional design. He has a deep core understanding of the subject matter he designs for as well as the learner experience and desired outcome. He approaches each project from the perspective of what the learner experience will be and aims to design in this way.
James is a phenomenal instructional designer. His integration of AI and understanding of underlying principles consistently lead to outcomes that surpass the expectations for his role. He would be a valuable asset to any team as a leader or an individual contributor.
Contact
I'm actively seeking full-time and contract roles in instructional design, learning experience design, and AI-enabled L&D. If you're building something at the intersection of technology and learning, I'd like to hear about it.