Hello, I’m Gary and I’m a lifelong learner who passionately believes that all Learners Matter.
Because learning means so much to me, I leverage more than a decade of teaching experience to inform my current practice of developing research-based asynchronous eLearning experiences that really work. As the work samples on this site demonstrate, I excel at developing inclusive, engaging, effective, and interactive eLearning experiences for adult learners in both Higher Education and Corporate Training. My work is effective because it is carefully and collaboratively planned, designed, implemented, and improved with Agile methodology.
With 9 years of instructional design experience, a Master of Educational Technology degree, in-house video production capacity, and exceptional voice-over skills, I think of myself as a complete learning design package, as demonstrated throughout this site.
How Effective is Video for Learning?
According to the latest research...
Well-produced and well-designed video can also have a powerful emotional effect on learners. It is a particularly important medium for students who have grown up in a digital age. Students more easily identify with topics or approaches that are represented through video presentations. (Bates, 2022)
Video has emerged as one of the most powerful and widely used formats for delivering training and instructions, regardless of who your audience is. 83% of people prefer watching videos to accessing instructional or informational content via text or audio.
Keep this in mind: research is demonstrating that using video in learning improves student performance. Notably, in a study by researchers at the University of Maryland, videos, especially interactive videos, improved student performance by as much as 30 percent.
Interactive video permits user-driven decision-making and a sense of user control. This can enable a more personalized learning experience and greater choice for the learner. Videos can be structured to permit learners to select based on their role, staff level or knowledge gaps.
National Award
A 4-module course that, in 2022, won a national award for learning excellence from the Canadian Credit Union Association. The course, which featured an appearance from a former Premier of Nova Scotia and Order of Canada recipient, achieved employee completion rates of 98.6%.
First Nations Acknowledgement
I reside and work on the traditional territory of three W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations: Tsartlip, Tseycum, and Tsawout. I want to express my respect and appreciation to the W̱SÁNEĆ People for their rich culture and for allowing me to live, work, study, and play on their lands.
Creating Branched Scenarios
with Artificial Intelligence
Immersive eLearning Experiences
Articulate Storyline 360 Demo
Realistic avatars – like those from Synthesia – are perfect for creating immersive learning activities where students make choices in realistic situations and safely learn from their mistakes. Because avatars cost less than human talent, these eLearning activities are economical while providing a high level of engagement and interactivity. To check it out, please tap/click on either the Demo (below left) or the SL (above) button.
Specialty: videos for learning
Interactive Video with Quiz
This video features embedded quiz questions that prompt learners to self-check their own understanding of key content (formative assessment). It can be hosted in either an ordinary website or in a Learning Management System with SCORM tracking so responses can be used for summative assessment.
Interactive Video with Articulate Storyline
This interactive Storyline slide is an adaptation of a short video posted on YouTube by Digital Learning Pills International. It’s an example of how one can find excellent Creative Commons content and repurpose it for engaging microlearning activities.
Micro-learning Samples
Authored with Articulate Rise 360
More samples are located on the Portfolio page.
Satire, Fake News, or Real News?
Social media have opened the floodgates to misinformation, disinformation, and malarkey (aka Fake News). Take your digital literacy to the next level by taking this microlearning and learning how to recognize these information modalities.
5 Cognitive Distortions that Undermine Our Happiness
This microlearning piece was adapted from a course template provided by the good folks on the Articulate Rise 360 website. It can be easily adapted to provide a quick self-assessment for anyone who is struggling with relationships.
Interactive Images
Learners can be better engaged and informed by augmenting images with interactive hotspots. This can be experienced in the map image below by hovering/tapping over the silver markers.
Hover or Tap on Markers for More Info
Tap/click here for StatsCan Infographic
Testimonials from First West leaders:
LAUNI SKINNER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just wanted to say thank you and let you know how impressed I was with the Teams training! It was so helpful and easy to understand…Thanks for looking at ways to meet learning needs in a flexible and agile way – it worked!
SUSAN COULSON, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL ACCOUNTS
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just finished Module 1 for Federal Continuance and I am obsessed with Gary!…this was the best Module I have taken in my 20 years here, and there have been some great ones over the years!
LIZ BAILEY-CONNOR, CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary is our instructional designer who worked on this learning and he is SO talented! We are very fortunate to have his expertise and experience.
ALICIA PETERS, DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE INITIATIVES
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary is an absolute rock star and genius, it has been an exciting learning journey working with him and seeing his creative brilliance in action.
DEBBIE WILSON, FORMER LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
He shoots, he scores with yet another great learning experience. Thanks for always giving us your creative best, Gary.
SHELLEY BESSE, CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary I love the enthusiasm and fun you put into this module – especially the hockey commentary during the quiz section!
KENNETH D'SENA, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER EXPERIENCE
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary, appreciate your support, advice and expertise in developing an excellent training session for staff on “How to Resolve Member Concerns.” I really liked how you utilized the latest digital and tehnology to generate an innovative way of learning.
SHELAGH MCINTYRE, SENIOR ADVISOR - LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just finished module 1 of Federal 101 and wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your personality showing through with this engaging learning webinar! You did a fantastic job and I can’t wait to see you in action in future modules. Well done! I’m super-impressed!
JAMES FUNFER, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Module 1 of Federal Continuance was informative, fun, and engaging, just like I knew it would be! I especially loved how you made the knowledge check fun.
LIZ BAILEY-CONNOR, CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER; DEBBIE WILSON, FORMER LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Thank you for the talent and expertise and focus you bring to make our learning so incredibly impactful for our employees…
What would this “complete learning design package” deliver to you?
AWARD-WINNING E-LEARNING SPECIALIST
Hello, I’m Gary.
I leverage more than a decade of teaching experience to inform my current practice of developing online learning experiences that work – because Learners Matter. As the work samples on this site demonstrate, I love developing inclusive, engaging, effective, and interactive learning experiences for adult learners in both Higher Education and Corporate Training. To be effective, online learning must be carefully planned, designed, implemented, and continually improved. Because learners matter so much to our community, that’s exactly what I do.
With 9 years of instructional design experience, a Master of Educational Technology degree, in-house video production capacity, and exceptional voice-over skills, I can accurately be described as a complete learning design package.
National Award
A 4-module course that, in 2022, won a national award for learning excellence from the Canadian Credit Union Association. The course, which featured an appearance from a former Premier of Nova Scotia and Order of Canada recipient, achieved employee completion rates of 98.6%.
First Nations Acknowledgement
I reside and work on the traditional territory of three W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations: Tsartlip, Tseycum, and Tsawout. I want to express my respect and appreciation to the W̱SÁNEĆ People for their rich culture and for allowing me to live, work, study, and play on their lands.
Specialty: Videos for learning
Interactive Video with Navigation
This video demonstrates two methods for launching drones, some basic drone navigation techniques, and a safe method for landing. It also allows viewers to navigate to any segment they want to watch. Tap on the image to view the video.
Interactive Video with Quiz
This video features embedded quiz questions that prompt learners to self-check their own understanding of key content (formative assessment). It can be hosted in either an ordinary website or a Learning Management System with SCORM tracking so responses can be used for summative assessment. Tap on the image to interact with the video.
Interactive Video with Articulate Storyline
This interactive Storyline slide is an adaptation of a short video posted on YouTube by Digital Learning Pills International. It’s an example of how one can find excellent Creative Commons content and repurpose it for engaging microlearning activities. Tap on the image to view the video.
Micro-learning Samples
Authored with Articulate Rise 360
More samples are located on the Portfolio page.
Satire, Fake News, or Real News?
Social media have opened the floodgates to misinformation, disinformation, and malarkey (aka Fake News). Take your digital literacy to the next level by taking this microlearning and learning how to recognize these information modalities.
5 Cognitive Distortions that Undermine Our Happiness
This microlearning piece was adapted from a course template provided by the good folks on the Articulate Rise 360 website. It can be easily adapted to provide a quick self-assessment for anyone who is struggling with relationships.
Interactive Images
Learners can be better engaged and informed by augmenting images with interactive hotspots. This can be experienced in the map image below by hovering/tapping over the silver markers. Also, the red button on the bottom-left will open an Articulate Storyline map that includes audio and video!
Hover or Tap on Markers for More Info
Tap/click here for StatsCan Infographic
Testimonials from First West leaders:
LAUNI SKINNER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just wanted to say thank you and let you know how impressed I was with the Teams training! It was so helpful and easy to understand…Thanks for looking at ways to meet learning needs in a flexible and agile way – it worked!
SUSAN COULSON, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL ACCOUNTS
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just finished Module 1 for Federal Continuance and I am obsessed with Gary!…this was the best Module I have taken in my 20 years here, and there have been some great ones over the years!
LIZ BAILEY-CONNOR, CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary is our instructional designer who worked on this learning and he is SO talented! We are very fortunate to have his expertise and experience.
ALICIA PETERS, DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE INITIATIVES,
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary is an absolute rock star and genius, it has been an exciting learning journey working with him and seeing his creative brilliance in action.
DEBBIE WILSON, FORMER LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
He shoots, he scores with yet another great learning experience. Thanks for always giving us your creative best, Gary.
SHELLEY BESSE, CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary I love the enthusiasm and fun you put into this module – especially the hockey commentary during the quiz section!
KENNETH D'SENA, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER EXPERIENCE
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary, appreciate your support, advice and expertise in developing an excellent training session for staff on “How to Resolve Member Concerns.” I really liked how you utilized the latest digital and tehnology to generate an innovative way of learning.
SHELAGH MCINTYRE, SENIOR ADVISOR - LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just finished module 1 of Federal 101 and wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your personality showing through with this engaging learning webinar! You did a fantastic job and I can’t wait to see you in action in future modules. Well done! I’m super-impressed!
JAMES FUNFER, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Module 1 of Federal Continuance was informative, fun, and engaging, just like I knew it would be! I especially loved how you made the knowledge check fun.
Sneak Preview of My Work
More sample courses are located on the Portfolio page.
Storyline Sample Module on Diversity & Inclusion
This module raises awareness of biases that can lead to discrimination and inequality. Recognizing the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity is essential for healthy organizational growth. Embracing diversity and creating an inclusive workplace leads to increased productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction. This eLearning module is a crucial step towards building a better future for all.