Learning Strategy · Course Design · Educational Media
Instructional Design That Makes Learning Clear
I’m Michael D. Young, an instructional designer and learning experience developer who turns complex ideas into engaging, measurable learning. My work combines classroom experience, practical design frameworks, thoughtful media, and a storyteller’s eye for keeping learners moving forward.
A Teacher’s Perspective. A Designer’s Toolkit.
I bring seven years of public-school teaching experience, master’s degrees in Instructional Design and Educational Leadership, and full-time design experience with Brigham Young University and Middlebury Interactive Languages. I’ve also completed freelance learning projects for organizations including TestOut Corporation.
Learning Strategy
ADDIE, SAM, Kirkpatrick, Gagné’s Nine Events, backward design, measurable objectives, and quality assurance built around learner needs.
Course Development
Online course architecture, SME collaboration, storyboarding, assessment writing, accessibility-minded development, media coordination, and Canvas implementation.
Media & Tools
Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, Audacity, Canva, InDesign, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and multimedia production workflows.
Selected Learning Experiences
A selection of projects spanning instructional video, storyboarding, assessment design, and large-scale online course development.
Instructional Video · World Languages
Situation-Based German Grammar Video
I created this Canva-based demonstration for a first-year German online course at Brigham Young University. Learners first imagine ordering food in a restaurant, receive targeted grammar instruction, and then return to the same situation to apply what they learned. The pre- and post-task structure makes progress visible while keeping grammar grounded in a practical context.
Storyboard · Technical Training
Data Privacy & Security
Created for TestOut Corporation, this storyboard translates technical concepts into clear objectives and digestible segments for aspiring technology professionals.
Assessment Design · Technical Training
Automation Technologies Assessment
These TestOut assessment items use plausible distractors and descriptive feedback so learners demonstrate mastery and learn from incorrect responses.
Online Course Development · Canvas
Brigham Young University World Language Courses
I helped design and build online American Sign Language courses for high-school and college learners. My role included collaborating with subject-matter experts, coordinating media production, guiding the build in Canvas, and overseeing quality assurance.
What Collaborators Say
“Your professionalism, creativity, highly developed skills, communication, and general good nature have made our jobs so much easier. And it has made the German course fantastic.”
William Anderson, Media Specialist
Middlebury Interactive Languages
“Michael always had the most creative activities and ideas for his courses. Team members from other languages would turn to him for added insight and creativity.”
Kandyce Coston, Manager
Middlebury Interactive Languages
“Michael’s strengths as an effective leader, a curriculum expert, and an excellent instructor will continue to help him in any educational endeavor he seeks.”
Clint Poole, Principal
West Elementary
Organizations & Experience
Let’s Build a Better Learning Experience
Need an online course, instructional video, assessment, or learning experience that is clear, engaging, and built around measurable outcomes? I’d be glad to talk about the learners you serve and the problem you’re trying to solve.
Michael D. Young 