Crystal James

This week has been an enlightening blend of tech exploration, strategic learning, and skill refinement—all with a focus on preparing my portfolio for future opportunities. I dedicated substantial time to updating my Google Sites portfolio, especially enhancing the “Home” and “About Me” pages to create a more focused and engaging user experience. I spent several hours watching instructional videos and researching consulting insights, all in service of making my portfolio not just visually appealing but also strategically aligned. The adjustments were small but meaningful; reorganizing text, improving layout, and streamlining messaging to draw attention effectively. My goal was to balance clear communication with a compelling narrative, a skill I strengthened this week as I refined my storyboarding approach and deepened my knowledge on best practices for eLearning. This journey also led me to Mindomo, a powerful mind-mapping tool designed to align with how we naturally process ideas. Unl...

This week was a whirlwind of excitement and new experiences that fueled my passion for instructional design. It kicked off with several days spent updating my portfolio, a project that has been both rewarding and essential. I’m focused on making my portfolio not just a collection of work, but a showcase of meaningful, impactful projects. I want hiring managers to see my growth, creativity, and commitment to making a difference in the field of instructional design. The Road Trip to TAMUCC: A Four-Hour Expedition The highlight of my week was the journey to visit the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus—a four to five-hour drive each way. Though it was a long trip, my enthusiasm never wavered. I found myself daydreaming about instructional design ideas and potential projects as the miles rolled by. The coastal scenery was beautiful and inspiring, stirring up thoughts about how amazing it would be to design training programs by the beach or even work for an outdoor company someda...