Chariese M. Rider Mastery Journal

About

Chariese Rider is a high school graphic design teacher with more than two decades of professional experience in the creative industry. For over 20 years, she worked as a freelance graphic designer, collaborating with a variety of clients and businesses to produce visual branding and multimedia content. Her interest in the technical aspects of the field led her to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science.

Rider’s diverse background in both design and technology now informs her role as an educator. She currently teaches high school students in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) setting, where she integrates real-world experience into classroom instruction. Her decision to pursue a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design & Technology at Full Sail University stems from her commitment to improving instructional quality and expanding her impact beyond the classroom.

Intention Statement

Over the next 12 months, Rider intends to grow professionally by developing advanced skills in instructional design, digital integration, and curriculum development. Her primary goal is to create more engaging, inclusive, and future-ready learning experiences for students in the field of graphic design and media arts. By pursuing this degree, she hopes to refine her ability to design and deliver effective instructional materials that align with industry standards and technological advancements.

Through her Mastery journey, Rider aims to bridge her creative background with evidence-based teaching practices. She is especially interested in the development of interactive, project-based content that supports differentiated learning. Additionally, she seeks to deepen her understanding of learning management systems, user experience in education, and data-informed instructional strategies.

Ultimately, Rider’s intention is to serve not only as a classroom educator but also as a curriculum leader who can mentor peers and contribute to instructional planning at the district level. Her long-term vision includes supporting professional learning communities and helping shape modern, media-rich educational environments.

Inspirational Post Week One

This quote from Dr. Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture" serves as a strong personal and professional motivator for Rider. The message speaks to the importance of perseverance and passion in overcoming obstacles a theme that resonates deeply with her experiences as both a designer and educator. For Rider, the “brick walls” symbolize the many moments in her career when challenges could have halted her progress, instead became opportunities to grow and adapt. The quote reinforces her belief that determination, creativity, and resilience are key to mastering any field, especially in education.

Pausch, R. (2008, December 22). "The last lecture"

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5\_MqicxSo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

LinkedIn

Inspirational Post Week Two

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”by Maya Angelou

This represens that growth is a continuous process. As I pursue my graduate degree and evolve as an educator, this quote reinforces the idea that making mistakes is part of the journey. It inspires me to stay open to change and improvement, both personally and professionally.

Angelou, M. (n.d.). Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better (Quote). Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/127102-do-the-best-you-can-until-you-know-better-then

Mastery Journey Goals & Steps

Goals

Career Goal (Long-Term):

Become an Instructional Design Leader at the district or state level—using creativity, technology, and strategy to transform teaching and learning.

Graduation Goal (Short-Term):

Secure a district-level role in curriculum design, instructional technology, or teacher training immediately following graduation.

Deconstructed Steps to Achieve My Goals:

1. Build a Strong Portfolio: Showcase classroom projects, student work, lesson plans, and graphic design resources that highlight instructional design principles.
2. Earn Relevant Certifications: Complete certifications like Google Certified Educator, Adobe Creative Educator, or any instructional design microcredentials to boost credibility.
3. Expand My Professional Learning Network (PLN): Connect with educators and leaders on LinkedIn, join groups like ISTE and TCEA, and actively participate in Full Sail clubs and communities.
4. Update Personal Website: Update my professional online presence that includes a digital resume, portfolio, and blog reflecting my instructional philosophy and creative skills.
5. Present at a Conference or Workshop: Share knowledge on topics like design thinking, creative classroom strategies, or educational technology integration at a local or virtual PD session.
6. Apply for District-Level Roles: Actively seek positions such as Instructional Coach, EdTech Integration Specialist, or Curriculum Designer in Texas or remote roles.

Liedtka, J., Ogilvie, T., & Brozenske, R. (2013). Design Thinking for Strategic Innovation. Wiley.

Mastery Journal Reflection – July

1. Thinking about all the assignments you did this month, which ones are you selecting to go into your online portfolio folder?

For my portfolio submission this month, I am selecting the instructional video I created in Week 3 titled "Leveraging AI Tools in Instructional Design". This project allowed me to demonstrate a strong blend of instructional theory, digital storytelling, and media production skills. I used Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the video, integrated AI tools such as ChatGPT and Synthesia to streamline content creation and followed best practices in visual design and cognitive load reduction to produce an accessible and engaging resource. Among all assignments, this video most clearly showcases my ability to apply course principles in a real-world context.

2. What does your selection(s) say about you as an instructional designer?

This video reflects my growing identity as an instructional designer who values innovation, clarity, and learner-centered design. It shows that I am not only capable of using industry-standard tools but also committed to leveraging emerging technologies to enhance learning experiences. My selection demonstrates that I can distill complex concepts into digestible content, structure instructional materials effectively, and align media with learning objectives. It also highlights my commitment to producing polished, professional-level content that is both practical and theoretically grounded.

3. What skills did you learn this month? How can you best demonstrate those in your final portfolio?

This month, I gained deeper proficiency in multimedia editing using Adobe Premiere Pro, developed scripts using AI-assisted planning, and practiced aligning video content with instructional goals. I also honed my ability to storyboard, record, and enhance video/audio to support learner engagement. In my final portfolio, I plan to demonstrate these skills through high-quality video samples, annotated screenshots of editing workflows, and reflective documentation of my instructional design process. These artifacts will allow potential employers or collaborators to see both the technical and pedagogical strengths I bring to a project.

Mastery Journal Reflection –August

This month, I am selecting my demo reel for the eLearning project to include in my portfolio folder. I chose this project because it represents the most complete application of what I’ve learned—moving from storyboard design to a fully developed instructional product. The demo reel not only showcases the final eLearning build but also highlights my ability to plan, organize, and communicate ideas in a visually engaging way.

Throughout this month, I strengthened several key skills. I gained hands-on experience with Adobe Captivate Classic, developed a better understanding of how to storyboard effectively, and refined my ability to align multimedia assets with instructional goals. I also practiced giving and receiving peer feedback, which deepened my perspective on evaluating design quality and usability.

I can best demonstrate these skills in my final portfolio by presenting the demo reel alongside a brief explanation of the instructional design process I followed. This will show both the finished product and the thinking behind it, which is essential for future employers or clients to see. Pairing the demo with reflections on design choices, learning theories applied, and user engagement strategies will create a complete picture of my instructional design abilities.

Mastery Journal Reflection –September

For this month, I selected my PowerPoint presentation and Excel data sample from Week 3 as the project to showcase in my Mastery Journal. These assets represent my progress in creating training materials that strike a balance between clarity, engagement, and practical application. I stored the files in my cloud folder to maintain accessibility and professionalism.

Now that the class is over, I would describe myself as a facilitator with elements of a personal model. Rather than taking on the role of a strict formal authority, I prefer to create an environment where learners can actively apply concepts through guided practice. During my training sessions, I demonstrate processes step by step to serve as a model and then allow participants to explore, problem-solve, and ask questions. This approach empowers learners to take ownership of their learning while still having structured support available.

My Training Presentation Outline also reflected key principles of adult learning. One principle I applied was relevance and immediate application. By designing the Excel filters activity around real-world data, I ensured that learners could instantly connect the material to their professional needs. Another principle I incorporated was active participation. Rather than passively observing, learners engaged in interactive demonstrations and hands-on filtering tasks, which helped reinforce retention and build confidence. These strategies align with adult learning theory, which emphasizes practical value and experiential engagement.

The PowerPoint and Excel data sample I selected further supported adult learner engagement because they combined visual clarity with interactive practice. The PowerPoint provided structure, key points, and visuals to guide learners, while the Excel file allowed them to apply filtering skills in a realistic context. This blend appealed to different learning preferences—visual, kinesthetic, and problem-solving—and created a more dynamic training experience. By connecting content to immediate practice, I was able to keep learners actively involved while building both understanding and confidence.

Mastery Journal Reflection –October

For my portfolio, I have chosen my Week 3 Interactive Video Project created in Adobe Captivate. This project demonstrates how to create a quiz in Instructure Canvas and includes voiceover narration, clickable hotspots, and feedback interactions. I selected this project because it best represents my ability to design instructional media that is engaging, functional, and grounded in learning theory. These assets represent my progress in creating training materials that strike a balance between clarity, engagement, and practical application. I stored the files in my cloud folder to maintain accessibility and professionalism.

This interactive video showcases my strengths as an instructional designer who combines technical proficiency with learner-centered design. It highlights my ability to translate complex digital processes into a clear, visual, and step-by-step learning experience. The project demonstrates my ability to use multimedia elements such as audio narration, on-screen guidance, and interactivity, to promote comprehension and engagement.

This selection reflects my design philosophy: instruction should be interactive, accessible, and purposeful. Rather than overwhelming learners with static information, I focus on guiding them through meaningful, hands-on practice that builds confidence and mastery.

Skills Developed This Month

Throughout this month, I strengthened several key instructional design skills:

• Interactive Media Design: I learned to create branching interactions, quizzes, and user-controlled navigation using Adobe Captivate.
• Application of Learning Theories: I applied Mayer’s Multimedia Learning Theory and Cognitive Load Theory to create content that balances visuals and narration effectively.
• Audio Production and Narration: I recorded and synchronized professional audio to support accessibility and engagement.
• Project Organization: I developed clear design documentation and stored all assets (scripts, audio files, and Captivate project files) in a cloud-based portfolio folder.

What This Project Says About Me as an Instructional Designer

This project represents my identity as a strategic and creative instructional designer. It shows that I can produce professional-quality media while aligning each design choice with theory and learner needs. It also reflects my growth in technical tools, critical thinking, and visual communication.

I believe this piece will stand out in my final Month 12 portfolio because it demonstrates not only my ability to build interactive eLearning content, but also my understanding of how to connect design, technology, and pedagogy to solve real-world training problems.

Next Steps

Moving forward, I plan to refine this project based on peer and instructor feedback by improving audio clarity, pacing, and transitions. I will also create a storyboard version and include screenshots in my digital portfolio to show the design process. All assets have been stored in my Google Drive portfolio folder for long-term access and backup.

Mastery Journal Reflection –November

For my portfolio, I am selecting my Audio-Only Syllabus Production, which I uploaded to SoundCloud. This project best represents the type of instructional design work I aspire to produce creative, structured, polished, and grounded in strong storytelling. It demonstrates my ability to apply audio design fundamentals while still delivering clear instructional content. I am also storing all related assets, script drafts, storyboard outlines, recording notes, exported WAV files, and session folders, in a cloud archive for future use in my Month 12 demo reel.

Choosing this project shows that I am an instructional designer who values clarity, creativity, and learner engagement. I am intentional about creating learning experiences that are both informative and immersive. The audio syllabus reflects my ability to mix narrative structure with instructional purpose, balancing tone, pacing, and emphasis to guide learners through content in a memorable way. It also shows that I can work with industry tools like Adobe Audition and produce media that aligns with real-world expectations for eLearning developers. Overall, this selection highlights my strength in combining technical skill with emotional tone, storytelling, and instructional strategy.

This month I strengthened several core skills:

• Audio editing and repair (noise reduction,
• EQ, compression, reverb control, panning)
• Scripting and storyboarding for instructional audio Multi-track mixing in Adobe Audition
• Sound design for mood, clarity, and organization
• Exporting and publishing professional audio to SoundCloud
• Peer-reviewing multimedia projects using ScreenFlow
• Structuring content using pacing, transitions, and narrative flow

I can best demonstrate these skills in my final portfolio by showcasing both the finished SoundCloud audio production and the behind-the-scenes design assets that led to it. This includes my script, session file, and production notes, allowing future employers to see not just the end product but the entire design process. Presenting the project this way reinforces my ability to plan, design, produce, evaluate, and deliver instructional media from start to finish.

Mastery Journal Reflection –December 2025

For this month, I am selecting my Paper Cranes Made Easy instructional video project to include in my portfolio folder. This project represents my strongest example of combining instructional planning, visual design, and video production into a cohesive learning experience. I am also storing all supporting assets, including the storyboard, rough cut, fine cut, and peer feedback documentation, in a cloud-based folder to demonstrate my full design process.

This selection shows that I value intentional design and reflection. Rather than only focusing on visual appeal, this project highlights my willingness to revise and improve instruction based on learner needs and feedback. It reflects my ability to balance storytelling with clear instructional purpose, as well as my commitment to refining content to reduce cognitive overload and improve learner clarity. It also shows that I am receptive to critique and view feedback as an essential part of the design process.

This month, I strengthened my skills in storyboarding, video sequencing, pacing, and aligning narration with visuals. I also gained valuable experience in managing lighting, audio quality, and camera framing to support instructional clarity. In my final portfolio, I will demonstrate these skills by showcasing both the finished instructional video and the supporting design artifacts. Including multiple stages of the project allows me to show not just the final product, but how my design thinking evolved through planning, peer review, and revision.

Mastery Journal Reflection – Januray 2026

After reviewing all of the assignments completed this month, the project I selected for my portfolio folder is the ABCDEF Emergency Response interactive simulation. This project best represents my growth as an instructional designer because it integrates research, instructional strategy, and interactive design into a single, cohesive learning experience. Unlike more static assignments, this project demonstrates my ability to design learning that requires active decision-making, problem-solving, and application of knowledge in a realistic context. Because it is a scenario-based, skill-focused simulation, it aligns closely with real-world training needs and showcases my ability to design beyond traditional content delivery.

Selecting this project reflects my commitment to learner-centered, application-based instruction. It shows that I prioritize designing experiences that teach through doing rather than memorization. The ABCDEF game demonstrates my focus on clarity, structure, and feedback, as well as my understanding of how learners build confidence through guided practice and safe failure. It also highlights my interest in serious games and simulations, particularly for high-stakes environments where accuracy, sequencing, and decision-making are critical.

This month, I developed and strengthened several instructional design skills, including scenario-based design, gamification, simulation-based learning, and user interface planning. I also applied research-informed practices such as formative feedback, mastery-based progression, and cognitive load management. In my final portfolio, I can best demonstrate these skills by showcasing the ABCDEF Emergency Response game as a complete instructional artifact, including the interactive experience, supporting research rationale, and reflection on design decisions. This project clearly illustrates my ability to design instruction that is engaging, purposeful, and aligned with real-world performance outcomes.

Mastery Journal Reflection –February

For this month, I am selecting my LMS Module Walkthrough Video for the Adult First Aid / CPR / AED Certification Training as a portfolio artifact. This project represents a complete instructional design process, from planning to implementation, and demonstrates my ability to translate instructional intent into a functional learning experience inside a learning management system.

I selected this project because it showcases my strengths in instructional alignment, LMS design, blended learning strategy, and professional communication. The video highlights how a structured module functions within Moodle, including instructional content, learning activities, assessments, resources, and documentation of hands-on practice. It also demonstrates my ability to clearly articulate design decisions, an essential skill when communicating with stakeholders, subject-matter experts, and potential employers. Additionally, this project reflects real-world instructional design work. Rather than focusing only on theory or isolated assets, the video presents a working module that could realistically be implemented in a training environment. This makes it a strong example of applied instructional design suitable for my future demo reel and portfolio.

Skills Learned This Month

This month, I strengthened several key instructional design skills. I developed experience in LMS course structure and navigation, ensuring content is organized in a logical, learner-friendly way. I also refined my ability to design blended learning experiences, intentionally connecting online instruction with in-person, hands-on skill practice and documenting that process within the LMS. Another major skill I developed was design rationale and professional explanation. Creating the walkthrough video required me to explain not just what I built, but why each component exists and how it supports learning outcomes. I also improved my skills in scenario-based learning design, assessment planning, and reflective documentation, particularly in skills-based training.

Demonstrating These Skills in My Final Portfolio

In my final portfolio and Month 12 demo reel, I will use this video to demonstrate my ability to design, implement, and communicate a complete instructional solution. The video will serve as evidence of my LMS expertise, my understanding of adult learning and skills-based instruction, and my ability to align planning documents with final deliverables. I will support this artifact with stored assets, including planning documents and supporting materials, to show my full design process. Together, these elements will clearly demonstrate my instructional design workflow, my attention to detail, and my readiness to create professional, real-world learning experiences.

Assets Stored

All supporting assets for this project, including planning materials and documentation, are stored in a dedicated cloud folder and linked within this journal entry.

Mastery Journal Reflection –March

This month's selection is my Capstone rough draft video, which introduces my game-based eLearning concept focused on promoting purposeful cellphone use in the classroom. The project integrates instructional design theory, multimedia development, and interactive learning strategies. The video provides an overview of the instructional problem, the intended audience, and how game-based learning can support engagement and knowledge retention. I chose this project because it reflects my ability to design instruction that connects real classroom challenges with meaningful learning solutions. The use of a frog-themed interactive concept (“Froggy Jumps”) demonstrates how educational content can be engaging while still grounded in research-based instructional strategies such as Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction. A folder containing all project assets, including video draft and script, is stored in my cloud archive to ensure easy access and organization as I continue refining my final capstone deliverables.

What My Selection Says About Me as an Instructional Designer

This project demonstrates that I value practical, engaging, and relevant learning experiences. As both an educator and designer, I focus on creating instruction that solves real-world problems while maintaining learner motivation. My capstone topic addresses the challenge of cellphone distractions in the classroom and reframes the issue into an opportunity to teach responsible technology use. My approach reflects my background as a Graphic Design teacher and multimedia creator, where visual communication and interaction play a key role in learning. I believe instructional design should be purposeful, visually engaging, and aligned to learner needs. By incorporating game-based learning elements, I aim to create experiences that help learners retain information and apply it in authentic contexts. This selection also shows that I am intentional about aligning theory with practice. I strive to design instruction that is supported by research while also being practical for educators to implement.

Skills Learned This Month

Throughout this month, I strengthened several important instructional design and multimedia development skills:

• Applying Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction to real learning problems
• Creating a Training Needs Analysis (TNA)
• Developing a Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA)
• Designing an Instructional Design Document (IDD Blueprint)
• Structuring content for an interactive eLearning experience
• Writing scripts for instructional media
• Designing game-based learning concepts to support engagement
• Using multimedia tools to communicate instructional ideas clearly
• Aligning learning objectives, activities, and assessments
• Organizing project assets for portfolio presentation

These skills demonstrate my ability to move from problem identification to solution design using a structured instructional design process.

Demonstrating Skills in My Final Portfolio

In my final portfolio, I will demonstrate these skills by presenting a complete instructional design process from analysis to implementation. My portfolio will include visual documentation such as diagrams, scripts, interactive learning elements, and multimedia assets that illustrate how theory informs practice. The capstone project will serve as a centerpiece that highlights my ability to design learner-centered instruction that integrates technology effectively. By including clear explanations of my design decisions, I will demonstrate both my technical skills and my understanding of instructional theory. Ultimately, my portfolio will reflect my goal of creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences that help learners apply knowledge in real-world situations.

Mastery Journal Reflection –April

This month, I selected my interactive game-based eLearning project (“Froggy Jumps”), along with its supporting documents, including the Training Needs Analysis (TNA), Instructional Design Document (IDD) Blueprint, Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA), and client-ready outline. I also included key assets such as storyboards, question design iterations, and assessment revisions. These pieces work together to show not just the final product, but my full instructional design process from problem identification to solution development.

These selections reflect that I am a learner-centered and solution-driven instructional designer. I focus on creating engaging, interactive experiences that solve real classroom challenges, in this case, student cell phone use and engagement. My work shows that I value structure, intentional design, and meaningful assessment, while also incorporating creativity through game-based learning. It also highlights my ability to connect theory to practice by using models like Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction to guide my design decisions. This month, I strengthened my skills in instructional alignment, assessment design, and interactive media development. I learned how to design stronger multiple-choice questions with effective distractors, ensure that learning objectives align directly with assessments, and create more engaging user experiences through tools like Genially and Educaplay. I also improved my ability to revise work based on feedback and present client-ready documentation. In my final portfolio, I demonstrated these skills by showcasing not only the finished interactive game but also the design process behind it, including revisions and rationale. This will allow employers to see how I think as a designer, not just what I create.

Mastery Journal Reflection –May

Throughout this program, some of my favorite classes were Digital Media and Learning, Filmmaking Principles for Instructional Design, Interactive Media, and the courses focused on instructional design strategy and multimedia development. These classes stood out to me because they allowed me to combine creativity, technology, and problem-solving in meaningful ways. I especially enjoyed projects that involved creating interactive learning experiences, video editing, game-based learning, and multimedia storytelling. Coming from a graphic design and marketing background, these courses helped me expand my skills into instructional design and eLearning development while still allowing me to use my creativity. I also enjoyed learning programs such as Adobe Captivate, Premiere Pro, Genially, and Educaplay because they gave me opportunities to create engaging training experiences instead of only static designs. The projects I selected for my final portfolio reflect me as an instructional designer who values engagement, accessibility, creativity, and purposeful learning experiences. My portfolio includes projects that demonstrate multimedia design, eLearning development, instructional strategy, video production, and visual communication. Many of my projects focus on creating learning experiences that are interactive and visually engaging rather than relying only on traditional instruction. For example, my game-based learning project and multimedia training pieces show how I use design principles and instructional strategies together to improve learner engagement. My portfolio also reflects my background as a graphic designer because visual communication is a major strength throughout my work. The organization of the projects, supporting assets, storyboards, and design rationale all provide evidence of my role as an instructional designer who carefully plans and develops learning experiences with the learner in mind. One of the biggest things I gained from this program was a completely new set of technical and instructional design skills. Before beginning the program, my experience was primarily focused on print design, branding, and marketing materials. Now, I have experience with instructional design models, eLearning development, video editing, multimedia storytelling, learning theories, storyboarding, needs analysis, LMS development, and interactive training tools. I also learned how to connect instructional strategies to learning outcomes and assessments in a purposeful way. In addition, I strengthened my skills in project organization, communication, research, and presenting design rationale. This program helped me grow from being primarily a graphic designer into someone who can create complete instructional and multimedia learning experiences that are engaging, professional, and learner-centered.