by Cynthia Lee Henthorn
This site will walk you through terms, concepts, and examples related to my work as an instructional designer, training professional, and developer of courseware.
New to these terms? Read about my Focus Areas and training experience below.
When you're ready, explore my process, strategies, samples, and accomplishments, accessible through the menu on the left.
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Instructional Design is the process of determining the best way to teach a user new concepts using principles of how adults learn.
Curriculum Development
Curriculum Development involves identifying what should be taught to which audience and in what sequence.
Courseware
Courseware is any type of training content--the materials used to deliver instruction.
Such materials include PowerPoints for Instructor-Led Training in a classroom or webinar, workbooks, exercises, guides, or hand-outs.
In the online environment, this type of content includes self-paced video tutorials and assessments, video simulations of an interface, or simulated hands-on practice.
Instructor-Led Training
Another term to which I will refer in this site is known by the initials, ILT, which stands for "instructor-led training." ILT training might be held in a "traditional" classroom setting or via a virtual environment, such as a webinar.
In my current role, I am also responsible for internal ILT.
A team of client-facing instructors relies on me to learn techniques for developing and leading live webinar sessions. I instruct these trainers on working with PowerPoint and webinar technology; then I conduct one-on-one practice sessions with them to ensure consistency across training offerings and improve each instructor's presentation skills and confidence.
How does my experience as a designer of instruction connect with my background as an instructor?
My career as a professional educator began as an adjunct professor in New York City. I developed and taught art history courses and curricula at colleges in the New York metropolitan area for approximately 5 years full time.
My college teaching background opened the door into academic publishing in 2001, when I became a Developmental Editor and Project Manager of college art history textbooks.
Since then, my role as an educator in the private sector has expanded into training through self-paced curricula, which involve creating Getting Started Guides and eLearning modules.
I am responsible for the design, development, script writing, editing, voiceover, and artwork for this content, as well as ensuring design and editorial consistency across each module, guide, and corresponding classroom courseware.
Click one of the links on the far left when you are ready to learn more about my work.
For Corporate Videos and Video Editing: http://www.uptownvideonj.com/