I’m a learning designer, educator, and creative problem solver.

I believe learning should do more than deliver information. It should help people understand, connect, practice, and apply what they’ve learned.

My career began in education, where I spent more than 20 years teaching science and designing learning experiences for diverse learners. Over time, my work evolved from teaching content to designing the technology, resources, and experiences that help people learn.

That journey led me to instructional design.

Today, I combine my background in education with specialized training and hands-on experience in instructional design, eLearning development, multimedia, and visual learning

From Educator to Learning Designer

My background gives me a perspective I bring to every project: I understand both how to design learning and how people actually learn.

I’ve designed learning experiences, developed eLearning, created instructional videos and visual resources, collaborated with subject-matter experts, and helped educators integrate technology into meaningful learning experiences.

I use instructional design principles, thoughtful visual design, and technology to turn complex information into learning that is clear, engaging, and useful.

My Approach

Start with the learner.
Understand who they are, what they need, and what they need to be able to do.

Design with purpose.
Every interaction, activity, visual, and assessment should serve a reason.

Make it engaging.
Learning doesn’t have to be boring. I use interaction, storytelling, multimedia, visuals, and practical activities when they support the learning goal.

Keep it useful.
The ultimate goal isn’t simply completing a course. It’s helping people use what they’ve learned.

Meet Karen

Want to know a little more about the person behind Simply Karen Denise?

CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

  • Applied Instructional Design Academy
    • Instructional Design
    • eLearning Development
    • Educational/Instructional Media Design
  • Articulate
    • Storyline
    • Rise
  • Camtasia
  • Appalachian State University
    • Graduate Certificate, Online Learning and Professional Development
    • Graduate Certificate, Instructional Technology Facilitation

EDUCATION

  • East Carolina University
    • Master of Education, Science Education
  • North Carolina State University
    • Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL

  • North Carolina Professional Educator Certificate
    • Science – 9–12
    • Instructional Technology Specialist – Computers