Sara Austin

Experience

• 

  Saint Joseph's College

  Aug 2012 - Jun 2015

  Instructional Designer

  • Advised program directors, faculty, and staff on the use of best practices for the development of online courses based on adult learning theory• Cultivated collaborative, collegial relationships with subject matter experts, department chairs, and administration• Served on a team devoted to vetting and selecting a learning management system and developed training materials to assist instructors with the use and management of student work• Designed online courses in subject areas such as theology, business, nursing, information technology, and liberal arts• Identification of program learning goals and determining how to translate those goals into measurable learning outcomes Show less

• 

  Digital Scalability

  Jun 2015 - Apr 2018

  Instructional Design Consultant

  • Assisted clients with the development of internal training materials such as manuals, guidelines, and procedural slide decks• Collaborated with subject matter experts to develop online courses in many disciplines, including foreign languages, technology, and natural sciences• Provided storyboards for teaching math and finance to junior-high and high school students• Utilized ADDIE development model to design interactive online courses• Conducted needs analyses and provided appropriate interventions• Managed multiple corporate and K-12/higher education clients both in North America and abroad• Created templates and job aids to facilitate future course and program developments, documenting the processes and standards necessary for designing and delivering impactful learning experiences• Facilitated stakeholder discussions regarding program development, strategies for growth, and implementation of best practices• Developed project plans with timelines for deliverables Show less

• 

  Singularity University

  Apr 2018 - Aug 2019

  Learning Designer

  • Created new learning materials and experiences (simulations, asynch/synch workshops, digital courses, guidebooks, worksheets, etc.) for online, in-person, and hybrid learning experiences for executive, entrepreneurial and digital programs.• Used instructional technology (such as Storyline, Canva and H5P), personas, storytelling, and active learning elements to design memorable learning experiences with lasting impact.• Synthesized data to identify learning goals, determine client/learner needs, and to improve learning experiences.• Developed and delivered workshops for faculty and staff, highlighting best practices in program and module development, training, and active learning.• Authored training materials to include playbooks, facilitation guides, run-sheets, templates, and manuals, designed to facilitate the development of programs that remain true to their learning goals and align with the diverse needs of learners from countries all over the world. Show less

• 

  Freelance

  Sept 2019 - now

  Senior Technical Writer
• 

  FISMACS, LLC

  Jan 2021 - Jan 2023

  Chief Writer