Kirsten Alburg
Learning Experience Designer | Instructional Designer
906-251-8632 · kirstenalburgstudio@gmail.com · linkedin.com/in/kirsten-alburg-59a459237
195 Lakewood Lane, Marquette, MI 49855
Remote · Open to full-time and contract learning design roles
Portfolio: interactive learning demonstrations, case studies, and design process available on this site.
Professional Summary
Learning Experience Designer specializing in transforming complex information into clear, engaging learning experiences — with a unique background in science communication, higher education, and field-based learning. Nearly three decades of experience designing meaningful learning across K–12 education, higher education, professional development, and digital learning environments. Background includes science education, conservation and field-based learning, higher education instructional design, Moodle LMS administration, faculty support, federal education program leadership, and immersive professional learning design.
Professional Experience
Learning Experience Designer & Founder
Odyssey Discovery
Remote — Michigan, USA · Learning experience design & science communication
- Design digital and experiential learning programs — Field Notes: Explorer and Educator Expeditions — that connect educators and learners with scientists, researchers, and field experts.
- Conduct audience and learner analysis, define measurable learning outcomes, and translate complex scientific information into clear, applicable learning.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts to structure their expertise into designed learning experiences rather than presentations.
- Develop curriculum, virtual learning experiences, and reusable educator resources built for repeat delivery and adaptation.
- Manage partnerships with scientists, schools, agencies, and community organizations so each stakeholder's goals are met by the same learning design.
- Evaluate participant feedback and program outcomes, refining structure, pacing, and resources each delivery cycle.
- Use AI tools to support research, prototyping, and instructional design workflows.
Instructional Designer & Educational Technology Specialist
Iḷisaġvik College
Higher education instructional design
- Collaborated with faculty subject matter experts to design and improve online college courses.
- Built and maintained online courses using Moodle LMS.
- Improved learner experience through clearer course structure, sequencing, accessibility considerations, and assessment alignment.
- Supported faculty adoption of instructional technology and online teaching practices.
- Contributed to institutional digital learning development and quality improvement.
Federal Grant Director
Federally funded education programs
Learning program management
- Managed complex education initiatives requiring stakeholder collaboration, timelines, evaluation, and reporting.
- Developed professional learning opportunities for educators and partners.
- Managed federally funded programs, budgets, implementation plans, and outcomes reporting.
- Collaborated across organizations to improve educational programs.
Science Educator
K–12 and community education settings
20+ years
- Designed curriculum, learning objectives, assessments, and inquiry-based learning experiences.
- Created experiential and project-based learning opportunities.
- Differentiated instruction for diverse learner needs.
- Integrated educational technology into learning and assessment.
- Collaborated on curriculum improvement and instructional planning.
Education
M.S. Instructional Design and Technology
American College of Education · 2020
B.S. Human Development and Education
Warner Pacific University · 1999
Skills
Design Approach
The Clarity Learning Framework™ — a human-centered learning design approach focused on transforming complex information into clear learning experiences (Understand · Clarify · Design · Engage · Improve)
Learning Experience Design
Instructional design · Learning experience design · Needs analysis · Learner analysis · SME collaboration · Adult learning principles · Learning objectives · Assessment design · Scenario-based learning · Storyboarding · ADDIE · Backward design · Bloom's Taxonomy · Performance-based learning · Formative assessment · Summative assessment · Learning evaluation · Accessibility-aware design · Universal Design for Learning (UDL) · Curriculum development
Science & Knowledge Communication
Scientific communication · Knowledge translation · Conservation learning · Environmental education · Research translation · Field-based learning · Public engagement
Digital Learning & Technology
Moodle LMS · Canvas LMS (training) · Online learning design · Learning technology integration · AI-assisted instructional design workflows · Google Workspace · Microsoft Office · Microsoft Teams · Zoom · Canva · Adobe Express · PowerPoint · Google Slides
Learning Technologies (Developing)
Articulate Storyline 360 · Articulate Rise 360
Flagship Portfolio Projects
- Science Communication: Turning Research Into Understanding — science communication, SME collaboration, and knowledge translation for non-expert audiences.
- Conservation Learning Experience — environmental education, field-based learning, and public engagement design.
- Employee Onboarding Experience — workplace learning and corporate instructional design with scenario-based practice and assessment.
- AI Workplace Essentials — learning adoption and behavior change design around emerging technology.
- Online Learning Experience Redesign — instructional analysis, learner experience improvement, and course redesign.
Additional interactive demonstrations — including healthcare compliance, leadership conversations, customer product training, and an AI productivity toolkit — are available in the secondary portfolio library on this site.
Learning Design Partnerships
Available on a selective basis for learning experience design, science and knowledge communication, course design and improvement, and professional learning experiences.