Resume
Dawn M. Reynolds, M.A., Ph.D.
202.365.5944 · dawnmrey@gmail.com
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Summary of Qualifications
Senior Instructional Designer with over 15 years of expertise designing e-learning and instructor-led training for the federal government, military, commercial, and non-profit industries in such diverse areas as government contracting, leadership and management, financial management, human capital, language acquisition, and federal law.
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Work Experience Highlights
American Institutes for Research, Crystal City, VA April 2023-Present
Senior Knowledge and Learning Specialist
The American Institutes for Research® (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. This role supports a contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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Implement learning strategy
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Manage Moodle-based learning platform
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Collaborate with teams to leverage existing content
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Analyze and identify user needs to produce engaging on-demand elearning
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Track performance metrics, integrating them into performance reporting
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MPF Federal, Gaithersburg, MD,
May 2021 – April 2023
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Senior Instructional Systems Designer
A women-owned small business, MPF Federal provides a range of business services for federal government and commercial clients. This role involves performing front-end analysis for Defense Acquisition University’s (DAU) Production, Coordination, and Optimization (PCO) directorate serving the federal acquisition workforce.
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Performed requirements analysis for learning asset products, training services, and other learning and development interventions.
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Evaluated requirements for completeness and suitability.
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Collaborated with stakeholders, such as subject matter experts and other DAU instructional personnel.
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Developed and evaluated training solutions for feasibility, suitability for adult learners, and alignment to official DAU competencies.
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​​​​​Management Concepts, Tysons Corner, VA, September 2010 – April 2021
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Senior Instructional Designer
Management Concepts provides career development, performance improvement, and human capital training and consulting solutions for the public sector. A sampling of recent projects follows:
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United States Marine Corps
Lead Instructional Designer on 3-year contract to design and develop custom training supporting the Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Conducted learner analysis via direct observation and interviews, recommended learning strategy, partnered with subject matter experts to plan, design, and develop course curricula (facilitator guides, participant guides, performance support tools, and multimedia learning materials). Implemented gamification throughout curriculum.
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Department of Behavioral Health
Lead Instructional Designer on contract to create two 1-hour e-learning modules to combat the opioid use disorder crisis in Washington, D.C. Collaborated with subject matter experts throughout storyboard design and development of multimedia-enhanced, 508-compliant, highly interactive, scenario-driven learning experiences. Developed Kirkpatrick Levels 1 and 2 evaluations, and recommended Level 3.
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United States Patent and Trademark Office
Designed and developed two 30-minute e-learning modules covering anti-discrimination law and equal employment opportunity law and process. Created animated explainer videos to bolster engagement.
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Commercial Off-the-Shelf Products
Lead current companywide initiative to re-architect acquisition and contracting curriculum, with the goal of increasing student retention and engagement. Align curriculum with industry competencies, incorporate storytelling and gamification best practices, use flipped classroom strategy, report progress and results to Directors and CEO. Pilot expected Fall of 2021.
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Additional skills:
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Design learning experiences suitable for a range of delivery modalities, from instructor-led to virtual-instructor led to self paced.
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Write storyboards, scripts, select graphics, and process audio for web-based training, webinars, microlearning, and videos.
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Evaluate effectiveness of training through survey data analysis, and provide recommendations for revision.
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Attend and present research at learning and development conferences; apply current industry trends to course design and development.
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Serve as curriculum expert for Human Resources/Human Capital suite of courses; collaborate with product managers to ensure consistency and innovation across course content.
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Leverage learning technologies to design and develop innovative courses, from analysis through course evaluation.
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Present learning trends and approaches to Learning Development community of peers, directors, sales professionals, executive leadership committee, and company board of advisors.
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Mentor and support peer instructional designers through formal mentoring program.
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Loudoun County Public Schools, Dept. of Adult Education, Ashburn, VA August 2012 - Present
English Teacher
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Develop lesson plans, and teach English language classes (online and face-to-face) to intermediate- and advanced-level adult speakers of other languages.
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Certified BEST PLUS test administrator (test designed to analyze oral English language proficiency).
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Attend teacher training sessions.
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Irving Burton Associates, Falls Church, VA October 2009 – September 2010
Curriculum Developer
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Delivered training curriculum to customer service professionals serving clients around the globe.
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Developed and wrote asynchronous online and instructor-led training curriculum.
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Identified and performed curriculum updates based on rapidly changing federal policy guidelines.
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University of Maryland, College Park, MD August 2004 – December 2010
Instructor and Researcher
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Designed, developed, and taught online and face-to-face courses to first-year undergraduates.
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Presented independent research at regional and national academic conferences.
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Wrote and successfully defended doctoral dissertation.
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Technical Skills
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Design Software/Training Platforms: Articulate Storyline 360, Articulate Rise, Adobe Captivate, Google Meet, Blackboard Collaborate, Adobe Connect Pro, Adobe Captivate, iSpring, Microsoft Teams
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Video Creation Tools: Vyond, Powtoon
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Learning Management Systems: Blackboard, Moodle, Cornerstone On Demand (CSOD), Xyleme
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Audio-Visual Software: Camtasia, Audacity, Windows Movie Maker, Prezi
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Productivity Software: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Apps
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Section 508 compliance
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Adult learning theories and methodologies (e.g., ADDIE, SAM)
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Designing thinking processes
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Education and Professional Development
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M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Concentration in Instructional Design and Technology, George Mason University, Fall 2020
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E-learning Graduate Certificate, George Mason University, Fall 2018
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Ph.D., American Studies; Women’s Studies Certification, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 2010
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B.A., American Studies, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 1996
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Association for Talent Development, Designing Synchronous Learning Certificate, July 2014
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Publications and Conference Presentations
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November 2020, “Learning is Social: The Power of Virtual Training to Connect Learners.” . Management Concepts blog.
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March 2019, “Managing Impostor Syndrome and Positioning Yourself as a Business Advisor,” Learning Solutions 2019 Conference and Expo, Orlando, Florida.
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March 2017, “Reach Your Target Audience by Exposing Hidden Assumptions,” Learning Solutions 2017 Conference and Expo, Orlando, Florida.
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January 2016, “How to Recruit and Retain the Best Talent with the 3Rs.” . Management Concepts blog.
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April 2014, “Is ILT Dying?” . Management Concepts blog.
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Professional Membership
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The eLearning Guild
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Association for Talent Development
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International Society for Performance Improvement
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Metro DC ATD Chapter
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Training Magazine Network