Inside “Learning Designers in Context”: Chapter 6

Cherelle in K-12 Education

Abstract:

Cherelle, a learning design professional from Trinidad and Tobago, holds a bachelor’s degree in information systems and management, a postgraduate diploma in education, and a master’s in instructional design and technology. She is currently pursuing a PhD in teaching, learning, and emerging technologies at the University of the West Indies Open Campus.

To be honest, when I started instructional design and technology, I didn’t know what I was doing. I remember signing up and someone said to me: you have a degree in computer science education. All right, instructional design is good for you [laugh]. So, I was like: I’m getting this degree! Then, I got an “A” in a course, but I asked myself: What am I doing? It was not until about the third semester, I realized that I am designing instruction to basically guarantee that learning takes place. I needed to understand all the learning theories. I needed to understand all of the instructional design models and how I could apply all of this to basically guarantee that learning is taking place within my students in the classroom. So, I’m now using those theories and the models. I incorporate them into my lesson planning to guarantee that that learning is taking place. So, I have to basically utilize what I know from instructional design to assist me in the classroom.

In her interview, Cherelle emphasizes the importance of mastering instructional design competencies, including applying learning theories and models to create effective instructional materials. Other key takeaways highlight challenges in Trinidad’s slow adoption of online learning due to cultural traditions and limited recognition of instructional design as a distinct field. Cherelle advocates for Indigenous and Caribbean-specific resources to address gaps in culturally relevant materials. Despite reliance on big tech companies, she sees online education as a democratizing force for K-12 learners, especially during crises like natural disasters or pandemics.

If I have to design, let’s say, a video for my doctoral studies, I think the person watching the video needs me to know how to incorporate the various cultures of the Caribbean. If I’m designing a video for my students, then I’m looking for something that is uniquely Trinidadian or has a Caribbean blend. But, we recognize that when we use certain programs and software, it’s difficult. I could tell you as a teacher and as someone who creates content, it’s difficult to find an Indo Trinidadian student animation or something similar. It’s really difficult. Most of the time you may have to pay some exorbitant prices for them [learning resources]. You do not really get free Caribbean influenced [learning] content.

Romero-Hall, E. (2025). Learning Designers in Context: Examining Practices Across the Global South. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003270591

Photo by Renaldo Matamoro on Unsplash

Inside “Learning Designers in Context”: Chapter 5

Camila, an Instructional Design Consultant

Abstract:

Camila, an instructional designer based in Lima, Peru, who has a background in literature and a passion for e-learning. She earned her bachelor’s degree in literature from the National University of San Marcos and transitioned from editorial work to instructional design through scriptwriting for e-learning courses.

Culture is always present both, on the side of the client and on my side. As the designer, I think of the user and examples that we may connect with the daily activities that the user is familiar with. We consider culture starting with knowing the user and the target audience. What are their activities and habits? In certain ways, also knowing how to interpret it to a Peruvian context.

Currently, she designs corporate e-learning experiences and is pursuing a master’s degree in ICT integration at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Key takeaways of this interview highlight the importance of pedagogy, andragogy, digital skills, and cultural inclusivity for instructional designers in Peru. Challenges include poor Internet connectivity in rural areas and limited recognition of the profession. Despite these obstacles, Camila emphasizes the need for creativity and evidence-based practices to improve learning outcomes and competency-based performance.

So, what recommendations would I give to a person who wants to know about this and dedicate themselves to this activity? It would be mainly that they should want to learn and want to use their knowledge so that other people can also learn and transform. So, this means they have to improve their skills and they have to use creativity skills. Because it is not only about transferring information or knowledge, but also about how to transfer that information through different modalities. So, the recommendation would be to have a critical spirit of continuous learning.

Romero-Hall, E. (2025). Learning Designers in Context: Examining Practices Across the Global South. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003270591

Photo by Anton Lukin on Unsplash

Inside “Learning Designers in Context”: Chapter 4

Celia in a Higher Education Institution

Abstract:

Celia, based in Puerto Rico’s metropolitan area, directs the Online Education Unit at the University of Puerto Rico’s Río Piedras Campus. She holds degrees in office administration, digital graphic design, and a doctorate in education specializing in curriculum and learning technologies.

Because instructional design is an area that continues to grow and even though now there is more demand, still there are not enough instructional designers. Personally, I think there are not enough good instructional designs. So, I tell those who work with me, if you really learn, you really do quality work, well, you are going to have opportunities to continue growing and doors will continue to open in the future to keep working in this field. I think many companies have transitioned to e-learning and the COVID-19 pandemic expedited the process. Companies realized that e-learning is cost effective and beneficial for the employee, so they are out there looking for instructional designers. So instructional designers have to keep improving their skills to have job opportunities.

Her team develops online courses, supported by instructional designers, multimedia specialists, and quality experts. Key takeaways from our conversation emphasize continuous learning for instructional designers, proficiency in e-learning tools, strategic planning, and collaboration with stakeholders. Challenges include cultural nuances like infrastructure instability. Distance education offers transformative opportunities for Puerto Rico, especially for rural students and those balancing family or work commitments, despite resistance to change and resource limitations.

A few years ago Hurricane Maria passed through Puerto Rico and that was very devastating in the island. Most of the population was for many months (i.e., six or seven months) without electric power service, without Internet service. The hurricane affected the electric power service so much that even today we continue with these problems. Prior to the hurricane, there were no service problems with the electric power service in the island. After the hurricane, these problems began and now the light constantly goes out in the country. For example, last week almost every day our electricity service went out and there were protests from the students requesting their time to be extended for them to give exams because they did not have service. It is being a limitation in Puerto Rico because the electric power service is very unstable and it is a challenge that we are facing. Fortunately, the area where I work in the institution has not been affected. However, the other parts of the campus have been without electricity service many times and this is a challenge that we have.

Romero-Hall, E. (2025). Learning Designers in Context: Examining Practices Across the Global South. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003270591

Photo Credit: Enilda Romero-Hall