Home » About the Center for Distributed Learning » Our Teams » Instructional Design Team Instructional Design Team The Instructional Design Team’s primary function is to promote the quality of online instruction at UCF. This is accomplished by facilitating the design and development of online courses through a combination of face-to-face interaction, just-in-time training, and ongoing professional development. Connect with your Instructional Designer If you have successfully completed IDL6543, OFRA, or Teaching with Lecture Capture (TLC), then you have the benefit of being paired with an experienced Instructional Designer. If you are unsure of who this is, please use the Instructional Designer Lookup Tool. Our Instructional Designers offer services for professional development, personalized learning, and instructional design. Xiaolin “Charlene” Hu, Ph.D Director, Instructional Designxch@ucf.edu(407)-823-0833 Dr. Xiaolin “Charlene” Hu is Director, Instructional Design for CDL at UCF. Her duties include oversight of all aspects of the instructional design process and the Instructional Design Team. Charlene has been involved in instructional design and pedagogy for the past sixteen years and was instrumental in guiding faculty development for online program development and quality assurance at the California State University Bakersfield as well as at the University of Kansas. Her research interests include studies of faculty and students’ preferences in online course design and pedagogy features, learning analytics, as well as active learning strategies and application. She has many years of teaching experience in both online and face-to-face environments in secondary and higher education. Sue Bauer, M.A. Instructional Designersue.bauer@ucf.edu(407) 823-3400 Sue’s undergraduate degree is in Elementary Education. While teaching, Sue realized she had an interest and skillfulness for technology adoption in the classroom setting. This concentration prompted her to pursue her MA in Instructional Technology and Instructional Systems at UCF. Before completing her MA, she interned with UCF’s Center for Distributed Learning and following her internship was offered a faculty position as an instructional designer. Sue has been an instructional designer with UCF since 2001. Her research interests include quality in online courses, professional development for online teaching, and mobile technologies in education. Sue has been a conference track reviewer for EDUCAUSE, ELI, AASCU and OLC and delivered special topic courses for them as well (Mobile, BlendKit, and online course development). Sue recently ventured out from her focused educational experiences and earned a Technology Ventures Graduate Certificate from UCF’s College of Business in 2017. Tina Calandrino, M.Ed. Instructional DesignerProgram Coordinator, IDL6543tina.calandrino@ucf.edu(407) 823-2838 Native Floridian Tina Calandrino has worked as an educator in higher learning for over 25 years. She began her college career as Faculty at Miami-Dade College working with students on a new concept called Macintosh computers. This set the tone for an interest in using computers for more practical educational purposes than just the desktop editing that existed in 1988. Today, her research interests in online learning include Competency-Based Education, Gender/Age/Inclusion Bias, and Micro-Learning. You may run into Tina outside of work hours at Disney, learning defense tactics that will come in handy during the zombie apocalypse, and advocating for local farm to table purveyors. Efren de la Mora, Ph.D. Instructional Designerefren@ucf.edu407-823-0137 Dr. Efren de la Mora joined the instructional design team in April 2023. Efren is passionate about instructional design and educational technology and has a multidisciplinary background. He graduated with a bachelor’s in information systems and a master’s in learning technologies at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. Efren earned a doctoral degree in education with a specialization in instructional design and technology from UCF. From 2020 to 2022, he served as a postdoctoral scholar at Rosen College of Hospitality Management conducting research and designing instruction/curriculum. His research interests include multimedia learning, learners’ creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, motivation, and engagement. Efren’s research works have been published in multiple journals, including Educational Technology, Research, and Development, Journal of Formative Designs in Learning, Psychology of Music, and the International Journal of Hospitality Management. Aimee deNoyelles, Ed.D. Instructional DesignerAimee@ucf.edu(407) 823-1675 Aimee graduated with a Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Cincinnati in 2011. She joined the Instructional Design team at CDL in 2011, and served as a team lead from 2017-2019, where her duties included overseeing the Quality Initiative as well as personnel management. Her research interests include online discussion strategies, as well as technology and gender. Dr. deNoyelles has published in several journals including Computers & Education, Online Learning, Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, and Journal of Special Education Technology. Susan Jardaneh, M.A. Instructional DesignerSusan.Spraker@ucf.edu407-823-5596 Susan Jardaneh earned a Masters of Fine Arts from UNC-Greensboro and a MA in Instructional Design & Technology, e-Learning from UCF. She is a former faculty member at UCF where she developed and designed online courses for the Creating Writing and Interdisciplinary Studies programs. Her research interests include quality online instruction, diverse and inclusive teaching, and active learning strategies in online teaching and learning. Charlotte Jones-Roberts, M.A. Instructional DesignerProgram Coordinator, ADL5000Charlotte.Jones-Roberts@ucf.edu(407) 823-4956 Charlotte joined the Instructional Design team in August 2017. She holds an MA in Instructional Design and Technology – Instructional Systems and an MA in TESOL from the University of Central Florida, as well as a BA in Psychology from the University of North Florida. Charlotte first began teaching and developing courses in 2011 in rural South Korea as an elementary public school teacher. She worked as a UCF faculty member and curriculum coordinator teaching ESL for the English Language Institute (ELI) at UCF Global for five years. She gained an interest in instructional design while working to develop courses at the ELI, and is thrilled to be part of the team at CDL. Charlotte’s research interests include social presence in online courses, hybrid learning, and synchronous learning environments. As a native Floridian, she is a lifelong enthusiast of all things Disney and can be found gallivanting through Disney World with her family in her spare time. Rohan Jowallah, Ed.D. Instructional Designerrohan.jowallah@ucf.edu(407) 823-1674 Dr. Rohan Jowallah has worked in education for over twenty years. He has taught at various levels: elementary school, middle school, high school, and university. Prior to joining UCF’s Instructional Design Team, Rohan was employed as an Academic Program Planner by The University of The West Indies Open Campus. Rohan Jowallah holds an Ed.D. in Language and Literacy in Education from the University of Sheffield in England, ME.d. in Special Needs and Inclusion Studies from The Open University in England, BSc in Psychology from The Open University in England, PGC in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the University of Wolverhamptom in England, and ASc in Secondary Education from Bethlehem Moravian College from Jamaica. Rohan has presented at several international conferences and has had several peer reviewed publications. He also has a published book chapter and continues to develop work for publication. He has also been a reviewer of several international journals. Grace Kaletski-Maisel, M.S. Instructional Designergrace.kaletskimaisel@ucf.edu(407) 823-2823 Grace joined the Instructional Design team in May 2023. She holds a Master of Science in Information Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Information Architecture from Florida State University, a Master of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University of Alabama, and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from Birmingham-Southern College. She comes to UCF with a background as an academic librarian and worked in libraries for 16 years, specializing in teaching information literacy and research skills at the university level. Her research interests include digital literacy in online learning. Denise Lowe, Ed.D. Instructional Designerdenise.lowe@ucf.edu(407) 823-4272 Dr. Denise Lowe holds an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, Higher Education; an M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling; a B.S. in Psychology; and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Her interest in the field of instructional design grew from online experiences as an online educator and student. Creating learning environments that foster student/faculty growth and learning led her to UCF. Denise served as an Instructional Design Team Lead from 2009 – 2018, where her duties included oversight responsibilities for several Strategic Initiatives, including faculty development. Denise teaches as an adjunct lecturer in the LEAD Scholars Academy and the Nicholson School of Communication and Media. Her research focus areas are faculty development, emotional intelligence and leadership, and online design and teaching effectiveness. Denise currently holds a faculty rank of Senior Instructional Designer. Debra Luken, M.A. Instructional DesignerDebra.Luken@ucf.edu(407) 823-4195 Debra joined the Instructional Design team in August 2018. She earned a Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology from UCF in 2013 and a Graduate Certificate in e-Learning from UCF in 2016. She worked with UCF’s Environmental Health and Safety department for over five years. During her time there she managed the EHS training program and worked with subject matter experts to design and build the university’s online and face-to-face safety training courses, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Her research interests include blended learning for training environments, gamification strategies, and emerging technologies, such as augmented reality. As a Florida native she loves exploring all the wild, weird, and wonderful parts of the sunshine state. Roslyn Miller, Ph.D. Instructional DesignerRoslyn.Miller@ucf.edu Roslyn joined the Center for Distributed Learning in 2018 with more than 20 years’ experience as an educator in public, private, military, and university settings. She holds a BA in mathematics from Harding University, an MS in secondary education from Mississippi State University, and a PhD in curriculum and instruction from Mississippi State University. Roslyn brings to UCF experience designing and teaching online courses, conducting faculty development, researching educational initiatives, evaluating educational programs, and developing large-scale performance assessments. Roslyn’s research focuses on faculty development, quality instructional design, effective teaching in STEM disciplines, and online assessment. Carla Nevarez, M.B.A., M.S.E.T. Instructional Designercarla.nevarez@ucf.edu Carla joined CDL as an instructional designer with over 15 years of experience working in higher education. Holding an MBA with a focus on Computer Information Systems from the University of Turabo and an MS in Educational Technology from DeVry University, Carla has served as a full-time faculty member, Business and IT Department Chair, applications and systems administrator, web consultant, and an instructional designer. As someone who has worked in various positions and departments across several Florida universities, she brings a commitment to innovation, systems thinking, and cross-disciplinary partnerships. Carla’s professional interests include data analytics, gamification, mobile learning, and the use of virtual and augmented realities to support meaningful learning environments. Amy Sugar, M.A. Instructional DesignerAmy.Sugar@ucf.edu Amy Sugar is an Associate Instructional Designer at the Center for Distributed Learning. She holds an M.A. in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Central Florida and a B.A. in Music Education from Florida State University. Amy’s prior professional experience includes leading the Instructional Design & Technology Team at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, teaching in an adjunct role at Rollins College, and teaching elementary music in Orange County Public Schools. Her areas of focus include professional development, accessibility, universal design for learning, and open educational resources. Nancy Swenson, M.A. Instructional Designernancy.swenson@ucf.edu(407) 823-4270 Nancy has been an instructional designer at the University of Central Florida since 2000. She has a M.A. degree in Educational Technology from the University of Central Florida and a B.S. from Florida International University in Business Education. Prior to working at UCF, she taught business education classes in the public school system for 13 years. She has also worked as an adjunct with Florida Virtual School, Valencia Community College, and the University of Central Florida. Her online teaching and learning research interests include adult learning theory, accessibility of online education, and universal design for learning. Nancy has presented and published on similar topics at a variety of conferences including: EDUCAUSE, EDUCAUSE Southeast, Online Learning Consortium Accelerate, SLOAN-Consortium International Conference on Online Learning, EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) Webinar, Florida Distance Learning Association (FDLA) Conference, Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Annual Conference, Accessing Higher Ground, and Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference (CSUN). Florence Williams, Ph.D Instructional DesignerFlorence.Williams@ucf.edu(407) 823-0709 Florence joined the Instructional Design team in a full-time position in March 2021. In her current role, she engages in pedagogical faculty support. Before coming to UCF, Florence worked as the Professional Development Team Lead at the University of the West Indies. She was involved in faculty development, coaching, mentoring, and the design and development of online and blended courses. Florence has also worked in several faculty development roles to promote quality, technology, and curriculum integration. A Jamaican national affectionately called Flo, Florence, comes to the instructional design team with over 20 years of experience in Education and has taught online and in-person classes in public and private university settings. She is an editorial member of several Higher Education publications related to eLearning advancements. Her research interests include quality online course design and emerging technologies and their benefits for teaching and learning. Flo volunteers with Big Brother Big Sister of Tampa Bay outside of work and loves to spend time camping, hiking, and kayaking in the state parks on Florida’s Adventure Coast. Shelly Wyatt, Ph.D. Instructional DesignerShelly.Wyatt@ucf.edu(407) 823-4953 Dr. Shelly Wyatt joined the Center for Distributed Learning at UCF as a full-time instructional designer in November 2016. Before joining CDL, she spent more than 15 years teaching courses in the humanities at several colleges, including DeVry University, Valencia College, and Seminole State College. In addition, Shelly worked at Rollins College (Olin Library) and at the American Psychological Association (book publishing division). Shelly earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities from New College of Florida in 1991 and, four years later, a master’s of liberal studies degree from Rollins College. In 2013, Shelly received her PhD in Education (Instructional System Design) from UCF. Her research interests include online coaching and mentoring of dissertation students, second language acquisition and immersion through technology, and individualized faculty development. Personalized Adaptive Learning Team (PAL IDs) Baiyun Chen, Ph.D. Program Director, Personalized Adaptive Learning (PAL)baiyun.chen@ucf.edu(407) 823-3398 Dr. Baiyun Chen is a Senior Instructional Designer. She leads the Personalized Adaptive Learning instructional designers (PAL IDs), designs and delivers faculty professional development programs, and teaches graduate courses on Instructional Systems Design. Her team works in close collaboration with teaching faculty members to design and develop adaptive learning courses by utilizing digital courseware to personalize instruction that maximizes student learning. Her research interests focus on using instructional strategies in online and blended teaching in the STEM disciplines, professional development for teaching online, and application of adaptive technologies in education. On related topics of online instruction, she has published 23 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and editorial-reviewed articles and delivered more than 50 presentations at international and local conferences and events since 2006. Joseph Lloyd, M.Ed. Instructional DesignerJoseph.Lloyd@ucf.edu(407) 823-4942 Joseph Lloyd is an Instructional Designer at the University of Central Florida’s Center for Distributed Learning (CDL). Joseph earned a B.S. degree in Information Technology from the University of Cincinnati in 2003. After completing his B.S. degree, his love of teaching led him to move to Florida in 2006 to begin his career in Education. While teaching, he pursued an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Middle Childhood Mathematics, which he earned from UC in 2009. Prior to joining the CDL team, Joseph taught in both Volusia and Seminole County Public Schools for twelve years. He spent most of those years as an Educational Technology Facilitator, and he also taught 4th, 5th & 6th Grades Math & Science. His love of the blending of Education and Technology, especially in the STEM disciplines led him to UCF where he joined the team that specializes in Personalized Adaptive Learning software and strategies. Rebecca McNulty, Ph.D. Instructional DesignerRebecca.mcnulty@ucf.edu Rebecca McNulty is an instructional designer on the Personalized Adaptive Learning team at the University of Central Florida’s Center for Distributed Learning. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Florida, where she taught a wide variety of courses and worked as graduate assistant to LibraryPress@UF. At UCF, she contributes to PAL design and development as well as to initiatives focusing on faculty development and open educational practices. Rebecca’s main research interests include the intersection between narrative theory and electronic course design as well as the changing ways that artificial intelligence influences student learning outcomes. Jim Paradiso, M.Ed. Instructional DesignerAIM Program Coordinator of Open Educationjames.paradiso@ucf.edu(407) 823-4907 James R. Paradiso is an associate instructional designer and the Affordable Instructional Materials (AIM) Program Coordinator for Open Education at the University of Central Florida. His main areas of research and professional specialization are open education and adaptive learning—with a particular focus on devising and implementing strategies to scale open educational practices and engineering data-driven learning solutions across multiple internal and external stakeholder communities. Jessica Tojo, M.A. Instructional DesignerJessica.Tojo@ucf.edu(407) 823-3019 Jessica Tojo is an Instructional Designer at the University of Central Florida’s Center for Distributed Learning (CDL). Jessica earned a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Florida in 2007 and taught elementary school for eight years. Her interest to enhance learning through the integration of technology led her to pursue an M.A. in Educational Technology which she received from UCF in 2011. Her research interests include personalized adaptive learning, the use of OER materials, and quality of online courses.
