Instructional Development Team

At iDev, we are dedicated to cultivating high-quality online teaching and learning experiences at UCF by designing accessible and engaging web content that empowers both faculty and students to achieve their professional and academic goals. We are a bridge that connects faculty and the department by fostering effective communication channels and strategies that leverage innovative and inclusive approaches to enhance the quality of online education. We are committed to supporting the diverse needs and aspirations of the UCF community and believe in the transformative power of education to enrich lives.

Jonathan Pizzo

Team Lead
Web & Digital Communications Analyst
Pizzo@ucf.edu
(407) 882-0095

Jon Pizzo is the Team Lead for the Instructional Development (iDev) team at the Center for Distributed Learning. In this leadership role, he is responsible for overseeing various logistics and day-to-day operations of the team. Jon also plays an important role in the production of webinars and streaming conferences, manages the department’s websites, and assists with the facilitation and development of faculty professional development courses. Furthermore, he is responsible for managing other web-based communication projects, ensuring they are executed smoothly and efficiently.

He has a B.S. in Information Technology from UCF and has been with the Center for Distributed Learning since 2009, starting as an Assistant Instructional Designer and later joining the iDev team. In 2013, Jon took a full-time position on the iDev team, where he has been instrumental in advancing the team’s goals and objectives.

Highly motivated by his career at UCF, Jon works hard and plays hard. As a native Floridian, he enjoys fishing, visiting local beaches, tailgating UCF home games (Go Knights!), kayaking, camping, and taking frequent road trips exploring the US.


Bren Bedford, MNM

Bren Bedford
Web Project Analyst
Bren.Bedford@ucf.edu
(407)823-2457

Bren has been with the University of Central Florida since 2001. Most recently, she joined the Center for Distributed Learning’s Instructional Development (iDev) Team and has assisted the UCF Online Planning Team with the UCF Online initiative. She has experience with instructional design for technology-based training in industry, and over 20 years of experience with project and personnel management in industry, military, and higher education.

Bren earned her Master of Nonprofit Management, and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration | Management Information Systems degrees from the University of Central Florida. She’s a veteran of the United States Army. During her spare time, she volunteers in the pet rescue community.


Karen Tinsley-Kim, M.A.

Karen Tinsley-Kim
Instructional Technology Specialist II
Karen.Tinsley-Kim@ucf.edu
(407)823-1396

Karen is part of the Instructional Development, or iDev, Team that creates tutorials and training to equip faculty, staff and students to effectively use Webcourses@UCF and other online instructional assets.

Karen has a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art from Florida State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and is preparing for candidacy in the Texts & Technology, Ph.D program at the University of Central Florida. Before joining CDL’s Instructional Development Team in the fall of 2012, Karen had taught ESL/EFL to non-native English speaking teachers, graduate, undergraduate and college intent students for over two decades. This part of her career included teaching seven years in East Asia and ten years at UCF-CMMS. While at CMMS, Karen also contributed her skills in writing, editing, graphic and web design, while also helping to implement and train basic online teaching and learning in Moodle. Karen is the utility patented product developer of the Redema Ottoman Footrest, inspired by her need to elevate her legs with dignity while pregnant and teaching at CMMS.

Resourcing her previous career and educational interests, Karen currently coordinates Blind/Low Vision and Deaf/Hard of Hearing online content accessibility reviews for students registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). She enjoys learning the latest to enhance online accessibility and likewise orient and equip instructors who use Webcourses@UCF. In March 2014, her proposal for the UDOIT (Universal Design Online content Inspection Tool, pronounced “You do it,”) LTI was awarded a Higher Education Canvas Grant for Applying Universal Design for Online Learning. The Accessibility Team along with Jacob Bates and the Techrangers at CDL developed and implemented UDOIT into Webcourses@UCF in May 2015. UDOIT continues to receive national accolades and award-winning recognition, including the 2015 Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Effective Practice Award.


Wendy Dye, M.A.

Wendy Dye M.A.
Instructional Technology Specialist II
Wendy.Dye@ucf.edu
(407)823-4992

Wendy has been an Instructional Development (iDev) team member since 2019. After receiving her B.A. in Theatre from Florida State University, she moved to New York City. She worked in professional theatre and television as a stage manager and casting director on numerous productions.

Since returning to Florida, she received her M.A. in English – Technical Communication from the University of Central Florida. She has worked at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios on live television press events, at Valencia College in faculty development, and as a freelance web designer.

In her current role, she can combine her skills in entertainment production, educational technology, and web design to create engaging and informative web content.


Nafije Prishtina, M.S.

Instructional Technology Specialist II
nafije.prishtina@ucf.edu

Nafije is a member of the Instructional Development Team (iDev), supporting the Special Program community by designing and developing non-academic courses for the faculty and staff’s professional development.

In the summer of 2021, Nafije earned her UCF M.S. degree, with a focus on Interdisciplinary Studies, and joined the CDL’s Instructional Development Team. Her educational credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Davenport University, majoring in Business with emphasis in Human Resources Training and Development, and the recent Master’s in Cognitive Sciences, Instructional Design and Technology.

Nafije is a refugee from Kosovo where her earliest college coursework planted the seed for her passion for teaching and developing courses. In 1998, the life she and her family knew ended when the country erupted into civil war. Her journey led her to take refuge, first in neighboring refugee camps, and then in America, where she began her new life in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Following intensive English language studies, Nafije resumed university studies focusing on training and development.

After working for corporate America, Nafije started her consulting business, supporting clients to shine fully and increase their personal and professional effectiveness. Her work with business owners inspired Nafije to design and launch her own learning system. The ShiningStarsSuccessSystem (4S), is a self/time management system that Nafije teaches via online courses and workshops. 

Nafije is also a wife and mother of two young ladies. She balances her vast responsibilities, employing her own success system to ensure productivity and harmony in her personal and professional roles. 


Ailin Le Bellot

Web Content Specialist I
Ailin.LeBellot@ucf.edu
(407)823-1964

Ailin Le Bellot is a member of the Instructional Development (iDev) team. Her current responsibilities include content development for the Division of Digital Learning and the Center for Distributed Learning’s website, the Division of Digital Learning’s social media, Center for Distributed Learning email comms, and other online communication channels, which support faculty, staff and students. Ailin is a stark supporter of higher education and high-quality online learning.

She holds eight years of experience in Marketing and Communications for several private non-profits in Orlando. She began her entry-level career as a reporter and freelance writer, prior to expanding her skill set to include video editing, graphic and web design. She holds a Bachelors of Art in Journalism and a minor in Political Science from UCF. She’s the mother of a beautiful daughter and has been heavily involved in the community, volunteering and currently serving on the Board of Directors of her homeowner’s association.

iDev Part Time Team Members

Gabby Algigi

Digital Media Support

Kendall Thermezi

Accessibility Support

Breana Davey

Course Development Support

Joshua Oberes

Accessibility Support