project overview

Client: Institute for the Professional Development of Adult Educators (IPDAE), Florida Department of Education

My Role: Lead Instructional Designer, Course Developer, and Lead Instructor

Platform: Canvas LMS

Format: 50-Hour Online Professional Learning Course

Design Frameworks: ADDIE, Quality Matters Rubrics, Adult Learning Principles, and the HII to AII Cycle

Target Audience: Adult ESOL and literacy educators in college, community, and corrections education programs across Florida and the United States.

The Challenge

Adult ESOL educators serve diverse learners across varied instructional settings, requiring professional learning that connects research-based language teaching principles with practical classroom strategies. The challenge was to create an accessible, scalable learning experience that strengthens instructional competencies, promotes collaboration, and supports educators in integrating emerging technologies into their practice.

Desired Behaviors and Measurable Outcomes

The course prepares educators to:

• Analyze adult learners' strengths, needs, goals, and instructional contexts.

• Apply adult learning and second language acquisition principles to instructional decisions.

• Design learner-centered lessons, activities, and assessments.

• Apply research-aligned AI prompts to support instructional planning, assessment, and feedback.

• Engage in reflective practice, peer collaboration, and continuous instructional improvement.

Participants demonstrate learning through discussions and authentic application tasks assessed using rubrics. Successful completion requires an average of at least 85% across required activities.

The ID Process

I applied the ADDIE instructional design model to guide the project from initial concept through implementation and ongoing refinement:

• Analysis: Examined the professional learning needs, instructional contexts, and desired teaching competencies of adult ESOL educators.

• Design: Established measurable learning outcomes, organized the learning sequence, and aligned instructional activities and assessments using Quality Matters rubrics.

• Development: Created five interconnected Canvas modules, including AI-enhanced video presentations, collaborative discussions, practical application activities, assessment rubrics, and instructional resources.

• Implementation: Deployed the course in Canvas, facilitated participant learning, and supported a team of instructors delivering multiple cohorts.

• Evaluation: Incorporated rubric-based assessments, participant feedback, and course evaluations to inform ongoing instructional improvement.

Quality Matters rubrics guided course development, emphasizing alignment, clear navigation, learner interaction, accessibility, assessment, feedback, and learner support.

The Instructional Solution

I designed and developed the entire 50-hour course, from initial concept and instructional architecture through multimedia production, learning activity development, assessment design, and Canvas implementation.

The five-module learning experience integrates research-based presentations, guided discussions, authentic application activities, reflection, and peer feedback.

Participants examine their teaching contexts, apply second language teaching approaches, develop instructional resources, and collaborate with colleagues to strengthen classroom practice.

AI Integration

I integrated AI into both course development and participants' professional learning. AI-supported tools helped produce instructional video presentations, while learning activities guide educators in applying research-aligned AI prompts to instructional planning, assessment, and feedback.

A distinguishing feature is the Iterative Intelligence: HII to AII Cycle, connecting four complementary processes:

1. Human Intelligence: Individual planning and internal dialogue grounded in educator expertise.

2. Human Interaction: Collaborative planning and dialogue among teachers and learners.

3. Assistive Intelligence: Strategic prompting with AI tools to refine instructional planning.

4. Assistive Interaction: Question posing and iterative refinement of instructional products.

Through this iterative process, educators explore how to clarify instructional goals, respond to learner needs, select appropriate strategies, and improve alignment between learning outcomes, activities, and assessments.

The framework positions AI as a resource for extending human thinking and collaboration rather than replacing professional judgment.

Instructional Leadership

Beyond designing and developing the course, I serve as a lead instructor and support a team of instructors delivering multiple cohorts.

My responsibilities include facilitating professional learning, supporting instructional consistency, encouraging participant engagement, guiding feedback practices, and contributing to ongoing course refinement.

Outcomes and Impact

The course serves hundreds of adult ESOL and literacy educators across Florida and the United States, providing continuing professional education and supporting professional accreditation requirements in participating districts.

Successful participants earn a 50-hour certificate certified by the Florida Department of Education and IPDAE.

The course provides opportunities for educators to strengthen instructional planning, develop practical classroom resources, collaborate with peers, and explore research-aligned applications of AI.

Key Design Insight

Effective professional learning combines systematic instructional design, established quality standards, authentic application, and emerging technologies.

This project demonstrates my ability to lead the complete ADDIE process, apply Quality Matters principles, integrate AI into research-informed learning experiences, and support scalable professional learning through instructional leadership.