I.D.E.A.

Instructional Design Education Associates (I.D.E.A.) is an instructional design firm that specializes in creating engaging educational and instructional materials and campaigns. We work with organizations that are in transition, updating programs to fit changing business needs, or launching new educational campaigns for employees and customers alike.

• Design engaging instruction that works.
• Implement training programs using your preferred tools.
• Make practical, informed decisions about learning models and instructional technologies.
• Define scope, and estimate schedule and costs for instructional design projects.
• Implement training on time and within budget.
• Manage your educational campaigns.

Our goal is to help you implement instruction using technology in ways that work for your learners and your business. We work with businesses of all types and sizes, and with any subject matter. We also work with technologies ranging from cost-free tools on the web to enterprise-wide education suites.

• Working with limited time and money? (Yeah, we know: Who isn’t?)
  We’ll get your project moving with practical tools that fit your budget.
• Not sure what – or if – technology will solve your education needs?
  We’ll help you identify solutions and technology that support your learner audience.
• Need help catching up with technology?
  We’ll help you find applications and solutions to support company growth and employee development.
• Do you have content waiting to be developed into a teaching/learning experience?
  We’ll work with your content and subject matter experts to design and develop online, blended, or face-to-face courses.

Services

Testimonials

People are saying…

“I always learn things when I work with Cindy. She is incredibly committed to technology and using the most appropriate technology for a project, even if that mean she has to learn more about it or teach you how to use it. Cindy has one of the best grasps of eLearning and curriculum development that I’ve ever encountered. She always has her eye on the future and stays ahead of the curve while still keeping her services and products accessible to clients who may not be on the technological cutting edge.”

~Allison Shaw, Writer/Editor

“Cindy is creative, conscientious, a team player, and a joy to work with. She is very knowledgeable about adult and online learning principles which are invaluable when working with clients who frequently aren’t sure what they really want or need. I would work with Cindy again in a heartbeat, and I hope I do!

~ Sherene Sasser, Program Manager

“I have had the great pleasure of working with Cindy on several projects. In each case she has demonstrated an exceptional level of knowledge regarding curriculum design and instructional methodology. I look forward to the opportunity to work with Cindy on many more projects, and would recommend her without any hesitation.”

~Keith Binggeli, Project Manager/Analyst

“If you want to improve the way things are done, the way things are taught or want to get something built, Cindy can help. Cindy brought to my projects knowledge about human interactions with learning technology that I had never considered. She brought new ideas, techniques and tools that even now, several years later, are way ahead of what is used in government.”

~ Mark Robinson, Senior Design Engineer

“I hired [Cindy]…because her attention to details, her positive attitude and her timeliness. Cindy quickly adapts to a client organizations’ culture. She is flexible. Quality is a priority for her. Cindy also makes work fun.”

~ Kirsten Ryden, Director of Development

Portfolio

We are redesigning this page to provide more and different information about the projects we’ve worked on. What you see now is a small sample of some of the projects we’ve completed.

Please let use know what other types of information you like to see. Submit suggestions here.

For a better idea of the breadth and depth of our experience, please visit the our wiki.

Fremont College / Coast Learning Systems

Project: Core Curriculum Conversion
Goal: Assist and support Fremont College’s subject-matter-expert faculty as they convert core curriculum (30 classes) to an online delivery format.
Solution: In partnership with Coast Learning Systems, we coached a team of faculty members through the process of translating the classroom-based Professional Action Learning (PAL) model to online technologies and modalities that would facilitate learner achievement of core competencies. We project-managed modality selection and activity development, evaluated pedagogical integrity of all instructional strategies, provided technical training and assistance with the eCollege LMS, and assured compliance with ADA/Section 508 requirements.

Caltrans

Project: Project Agreement Construction Tool (PACT)
Goal: Reduce from a 6-month-minimum to 60-or-fewer-days-maximum the time required to write interagency agreements and obtain legal approval for project start.
Solution: Working with Caltrans’ Office of Cooperative Agreements, we co-designed a document automation program, the Project Agreement Construction Tool (PACT). The online adaptive interview was built on the LexisNexis HotDocs platform, and we were involved from concept through delivery, plus one maintenance season. Our focus included: PACT interface design and usability; design and delivery of end-user training and performance support tools for line-level staff, maintenance personnel, and senior staff; development of the Cooperative Agreements Wiki on the MediaWiki platform to support operations and continued maintenance.

California State Controller’s Office

Project: FISCAL Training and Reference
Goal: Reduce time spent in one-on-one training for new employees, while concurrently supporting temporary and fill-in help during the busy season.
Solution: We designed an HTML-based informal and open-access learning and reference site that allows employees to pull information when needed. Visual, interactive explanations of coding structures, 12 task-based system tutorials (developed with Captivate 4), dozens of printable and online job aids, and links to outside resources give employees at all levels of expertise control over the amount and type of information they use.

Ellen Looyen Communications

Project: My Personal Brand Advantage
Goal: Develop an online do-it-yourself branding kit that accommodates scalable service and pricing structures for a broad market segment of professionals.
Solution: Using Articulate Studio, we designed and developed a three-module self-paced course that combines hands-on activities, and a library of printable/re-usable course materials. Each module is published independently, allowing the client to package the product according to the buyer’s needs – one module at a time or as a full package – and offer the program with or without virtual coaching services.

In addition to the course modules and downloadable supplements, we developed a full suite of marketing collateral including a keynote presentation, postcards, product information flyers, course samples (excerpts), and 3-fold brochures.

About

Cindy Edwards has been an independent instructional designer and consultant since 2003, after having spent many years as a trainer and technical writer. She has over 25 years experience working with corporate, government, and educational organizations. Real-world experience with current technology and expertise in adult learning enables Cindy to implement sensible, goal-oriented solutions.

Working with a wide array of subject matter as learner, educator, and designer – concurrently at times – has provided Cindy unique insight to the learning experience from multiple perspectives. She has both broad and deep understanding of challenges technology brings to learning and instruction.

Cindy and her husband reside in Oregon’s Grand Ronde Valley, a farming community rich in history and hometown charm. Favorite pastimes are heirloom gardening, and spending time in the forest.

Education
Master of Science, Instructional Design & Technology. CSU Fullerton
Bachelor of Arts, Organizational Communication. Sacramento State University

Associations
ASTD National, Member
ASTD Cascadia Chapter, Member
E-Learning Guild, Member
CSU Fullerton Alumni Association, Lifetime Member
MSIDT Alumni Chapter, Elected Board Member, 2009-present
Mentor to Master’s Degree students in education-related programs, 2009-present

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