Instructional Design & AI Enablement Portfolio · Jon Edwards M.Ed.
15 Years. Enterprise-Grade.
ISD, eLearning development, AI enablement, and full-stack platform builds across federal government, healthcare, utilities, telecom, and enterprise L&D. Navy veteran. M.Ed. Sole developer of two production platforms.
15+
Years ISD
M.Ed.
WGU Learning & Technology
B.S.
UNM Technology & Training
20+
Years US Navy
DOE · Cox · SAIC · SCE
Select clients
3K+ hrs
eLearning developed
Experience
Career History
Enterprise instructional design and AI enablement across federal government, healthcare, utilities, telecom, and defense contracting.
Oct 2021 – Present
Founder & Training Director — AI Enablement & Readiness
Tanta Holdings LLC
- Founded Tanta Global Academy — multi-domain curriculum for virtual workforce readiness (sales, marketing, client support, remote ops)
- Architected scalable AI-enabled LMS ecosystem with structured evaluation, performance tracking, and competency validation
- Designed and delivered 40+ multi-audience enablement programs using ADDIE and Agile-informed development cycles
- Implemented AI-assisted authoring workflows and governance standards for content at scale
- Translated Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio deployment requirements into measurable learning systems
- Built TGA Academy — full-stack LMS (Next.js + Supabase + Stripe + SCORM 1.2 + public credential directory)
Sep 2025 – Dec 2025
Senior Instructional Designer / Curriculum Development Manager
Cox Communications (via Primus Software Corporation)
- Led curriculum modernization for Cox's Residential Sales Academy — aligned enablement assets to revenue, performance, and operational metrics
- Directed multi-team SME collaboration using Figma and workflow prototyping to accelerate rollout timelines
- Designed modular, role-based enablement assets for systems, sales processes, and customer experience workflows
- Integrated Microsoft Copilot for faster content development and AI readiness learning materials
Dec 2024 – Sep 2025
Senior Instructional Systems Designer
SAIC
- Designed ILT, virtual, and eLearning programs supporting federal modernization initiatives
- Conducted training needs analyses and stakeholder alignment for performance gap identification
- Built guided AI chat interactions and knowledge-based learning aids for on-demand reference use
- Applied content governance, QA, and version control for federal compliance and instructional accuracy
- Collaborated with engineering, operations, and SME teams to translate technical systems into scalable learning
Jun 2020 – Mar 2021
Senior Instructional Designer / eLearning Developer
Southern California Edison (via Veritsystem)
- Developed hybrid eLearning and ILT for the Substation Electrician Apprenticeship Program — 100+ apprentices
- Upgraded 15+ facilitator guides, student guides, and eLearning courses under strict deadlines
- Coordinated delivery from needs assessment through evaluation for 20+ training programs
- Secured SME buy-in from 10+ subject matter experts across 5 departments
- Built blended learning solutions using Adobe Captivate, Articulate, InDesign, and web conferencing
Aug 2015 – Aug 2019
Senior ISD / Project Manager / eLearning Developer III
Alaka'ina Foundation — Department of Energy
- Led development of DOE-101DE (Orientation), DOE-200DE (Assessment Fundamentals), HQ-100DE (Security Refresher), SAF-101DE (General Technical Base), HQ-101DE (FEOSH) — 3,000+ hours of eLearning
- Complete update of 27 outdated eLearning courses — full content review, Storyline rebuild, 508/WCAG 2.0 compliance conversion
- Contributed significantly to the DOE National Training Center's 508/WCAG 2.0 compliance guide
- Functioned as DOE point of contact for eLearning course administration on the LMS
- Nominated and presented eLearning courses at DevLearn
- Authored and produced the DOE Mission video — filmed at DOE HQ in Washington, D.C. with a D.C. news anchor
Sep 2021 – Dec 2022
Instructional Designer / eLearning Developer
Cox Communications (via Primus Software Corporation)
- Developed 10+ training solutions with Articulate 360, improving learner engagement by 25%
- Redesigned 12 sales-related courses, increasing knowledge retention by 30%
- Maintained 15+ complex learning solutions and tested/migrated 10+ deliverables to SumTotal LMS
- Quality control and distribution for 20+ courseware materials, reducing errors by 15%
Mar 2021 – Sep 2021 · Feb 2014 – Aug 2015
Epic Instructional Designer / Principal Trainer
Presbyterian Healthcare Services
- Served as SME for Epic EHR application workflow for clinicians and staff across two separate engagements
- Designed, delivered, and assessed Grand Central Epic Curriculum
- Traveled 5,500+ miles educating and empowering clinicians in Epic documentation
- Completed 8 eLearning software simulation courses using Adobe Captivate
- Supported testing and design of new Epic functionality and enhancements
Aug 2019 – Dec 2019
Instructional Systems Designer / eLearning Developer
Modis — Contractor for Applied Materials
- Created 11 eLearning courses using HTML5 programming in EdX Studio
- Developed learning objectives and defined curriculum scope in collaboration with cross-functional SMEs
Feb 2020 – Jun 2020
IT Operations Supervisor / Facilitator & Instructor
U.S. Census Bureau
- Facilitated courses for Census Field Supervisors supporting 2020 decennial operations
- Directed clerks, developed work schedules, and oversaw assignment preparation
Apr 2013 – Dec 2013
Instructional Designer / eLearning Developer
Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Developed 12 storyboards with 170+ pages of content and 450+ screenshots
- Produced 40+ quick instructional guides and 5 Facilitator/Student guides
- Created educational materials for Wyoming's Eligibility System and Tennessee's Medicaid program
2007 – Mar 2024
Administrative Services Manager — Petty Officer 1st Class
US Navy Reserve
- Trained 40+ sailors on computer usage, increasing training completion rates by 30%
- Created an online Navy Evaluations tutorial with 16,000+ views — fleet-wide distribution
- Selected as Leading Petty Officer, managing administrative operations and team oversight
- Mentored and coached 4 sailors, resulting in 5 promotions and improved team readiness
- Developed training programs on administrative processes, improving operational efficiency by 25%
Work Samples
Portfolio Samples
Selected work organized by problem type — not tool. Each entry includes the business problem, the learner, the constraint, the design decisions and why, and evaluation data where collected.
New Employee Onboarding & Compliance Training
Department of Energy / Alaka'ina Foundation
DOE-101DE — Department of Energy New Employee Orientation
Articulate Storyline 360
Business Problem
New DOE employees arrived without baseline civic and organizational knowledge. The existing orientation was inconsistent — delivery varied by site with no standardized SCORM-packaged version that met 508/WCAG 2.0 requirements for the federal LMS.
Learner
All new DOE employees — age range 18-70, majority with some college, across technical and administrative roles. High-variance audience with no guaranteed baseline knowledge.
Constraint
508/WCAG 2.0 compliance was mandatory. Full SCORM packaging required for federal LMS deployment. Volume: 3,000+ learners annually. No prior production-ready version existed.
Design Decisions
- Scenario and visual storytelling over linear slides — a wide age and background range required approaches that didn't assume prior knowledge or strong reading preference
- Original photography and on-location filming to ground abstract policy content in real-world context that new employees could connect to
- 508-compliant interaction design built in from the start — not retrofitted after build, which is the most expensive and least reliable path
- SCORM 1.2 structure locked in Design before development began — federal LMS constraints are non-negotiable and late changes break delivery
Output
- Full ADDIE cycle — needs analysis through 508/WCAG 2.0 conversion
- Target audience: age 18-70, majority with some college
Evaluation
Presented at DevLearn as DOE National Training Center flagship course. Applied across 27-course update cycle. SCORM package available on request.
Department of Energy / Alaka'ina Foundation
DOE Organizational Graphics Suite
Articulate Storyline 360 — DOE brand standards
Business Problem
The DOE organizational structure was being presented as static text and basic diagrams. Learners weren't retaining the hierarchy or the mission relationships — a prerequisite gap that undermined everything else in the orientation.
Learner
Same new-employee population as DOE-101DE — high variance in educational and technical background. No specialized knowledge assumed.
Constraint
All graphics had to meet 508/WCAG 2.0 and DOE official brand guidelines. No stock photography — original imagery only.
Design Decisions
- Interactive format over static charts — learner-controlled exploration improves retention for high-variance audiences who enter content at different knowledge levels
- Original photography to avoid IP risk and maintain DOE brand authenticity — stock images of power meters exist; photos taken at the actual facility do not
- Triangle and flow formats chosen to show hierarchical and directional relationships, not just lists — the spatial layout carries instructional meaning
Output
- Organizational hierarchy (3-part split, individually navigable)
- Interactive triangle: directives and drivers
- DOE chronological timeline
- Three branches of government → DOE flow chart
- Original photography: power meter / solar panel
Evaluation
Applied to the full 27-course NTC update cycle. Became the visual standards reference for subsequent DOE eLearning development.
Sales & Revenue Enablement
Cox Communications
Cox Communications — eLearning Assessment
Articulate Rise 360
Business Problem
Sales training content existed only as raw audio recordings — no structure, no design documentation, no instructional architecture. The content needed to become an assessable eLearning module without a design brief or SME handoff.
Learner
Cox residential sales team — experienced reps needing product knowledge validation, not foundational sales training. Audience already knew how to sell; they needed to know the product.
Constraint
No storyboard. No design document. Raw audio was the only source material. Course needed to be production-ready for live LMS deployment.
Design Decisions
- Rise over Storyline for speed — the audience needed rapid deployment; heavily branded custom interactions would have added weeks without adding learning value
- Chronological content architecture built from the natural narrative sequence in the audio — imposing a module structure would have broken the logic that was already there
- Assessment-forward design — the end goal was measurable knowledge validation, so assessment items were defined before content flow was locked
Output
- Content analysis from raw audio — extracted key instructional moments
- Chronological content architecture from source material
- Live course still accessible
Evaluation
Course is live and accessible. Learner completion and assessment data held by client.
AI Enablement & Content at Scale
Tanta Holdings
Synthesia AI Video Production Pipeline
Synthesia + custom automation (Node.js)
Business Problem
VA training content needed to reach a large audience across multiple platforms. Manual video production wasn't viable for a solo operator — each video required a studio, equipment, editing time, and a human on camera.
Learner
Filipino VAs and US employer audiences — mixed platforms, mixed consumption habits. YouTube and social preferred over formal LMS for this audience segment.
Constraint
One operator, no production crew, no studio, no video budget. Content needed to be produced at scale and distributed automatically without a person in the loop for each video.
Design Decisions
- Synthesia AI avatar removes the production bottleneck — script-to-video without a camera, studio, or editor changes the economics of training content at scale
- Custom automation built to close the distribution gap — YouTube alone wasn't sufficient; the same content needed to hit Facebook Reels and LinkedIn without manual re-upload per platform
- Shorts format chosen for discoverability — YouTube Shorts algorithm favors new channels; subscriber growth was the priority metric, not per-video depth
Output
- Custom Synthesia script editor and upload automation
- YouTube Shorts production and scheduling pipeline
- Cross-platform distribution: YouTube → Facebook Reels → LinkedIn
Evaluation
66 public videos. 471K+ total views. 2,940+ YouTube subscribers. 100+ training videos scheduled through Aug 2026.
Standards, Governance & Accessibility
Department of Energy / Alaka'ina Foundation
508/WCAG 2.0 Compliance Guidelines — DOE National Training Center
Articulate Storyline 360 — DOE standards
Business Problem
The DOE National Training Center had no formal standard for eLearning accessibility. Courses were built inconsistently, and a 27-course remediation project revealed systemic compliance gaps that would repeat on every new build without a documented standard.
Learner
eLearning developers and IDs at the DOE NTC — not end learners. This was a performance support and governance document for the development team.
Constraint
Had to be actionable within Storyline specifically. Had to meet federal 508 law and WCAG 2.0 — not aspirational best practice. Needed to be auditable and adoptable as an official NTC standard.
Design Decisions
- Built from the remediation work, not from theory — every rule in the guide came from an actual compliance failure found during the 27-course update; no speculative guidelines
- Designed as a reference document, not a training course — developers needed something to check against during production, not a course they'd complete once and forget
- Two separate guides — one general, one Storyline-specific — to separate the standard from the tool implementation; the standard stays valid even when the tool changes
Output
- Two full 508/WCAG 2.0 compliance guides authored
- Adopted as NTC standard for eLearning development
- Applied retroactively to SAF-101DE 27-course update cycle
Evaluation
Adopted as the official NTC standard for all eLearning development. Applied retroactively to 27-course update cycle. Contributed to DOE's broader 508/WCAG 2.0 compliance guide.
Instructional Documentation & Process
Tanta Solutions (portfolio demonstration)
Full Front-End Analysis Package
ADDIE methodology
Business Problem
Clients typically arrive with a request for training before the performance gap has been validated. This package establishes whether training is actually the right intervention — before any content is built.
Learner
N/A — this is process documentation for the ID, not a learner-facing artifact. The output informs all downstream design decisions.
Constraint
Had to be usable across industries and client sizes — a flexible framework, not a client-specific document.
Design Decisions
- Four-document structure (Course Analysis, Goal Analysis, GAP Analysis, Needs Analysis) — each answers one question; none overlap
- GAP and Needs Analysis separated deliberately — identifying a performance gap does not automatically justify training as the solution; the root cause analysis is its own step
- Available as a standalone deliverable — clients can commission the analysis without committing to full development
Output
- Course Analysis: scope and context documentation
- Goal Analysis: performance outcome identification
- GAP Analysis: current vs. required performance mapping
- Needs Analysis: root cause and intervention validation
Evaluation
Process documentation artifact. Provided on request.
Tanta Solutions (portfolio demonstration)
CS101 — Introduction to Customer Service (Course Outline + Storyboard)
Articulate Storyline / full storyboard format
Business Problem
Many organizations commission customer service training without establishing who the learner is, what they need to be able to do, or how it will be assessed. This entry demonstrates the full design documentation chain before a single slide is built.
Learner
Entry-level customer-facing staff — new to professional client interaction, needing both skill and mindset development.
Constraint
Storyboard had to be production-ready — detailed enough that any developer could build the course without the ID present.
Design Decisions
- Objectives written to Bloom's Apply level — the job requires application, not recall; knowledge-level objectives would have produced training that doesn't transfer
- Storyboard fields separated: narration, on-screen text, interactions, and developer notes are distinct — merged fields create ambiguity in developer handoff
- Assessment designed before content sequence was locked — assessment items drove the instructional approach, not the other way around
Output
- Audience-specific objectives tied to performance outcomes
- Full storyboard: on-screen text, narration, interaction notes, developer notes
Evaluation
Documentation artifact. Available on request.
Platform Development
Built From Scratch
Three production platforms designed and developed as sole developer — from architecture to deployment.
TGA Academy — Learning Management System
Next.js 14 · Supabase · PostgreSQL · Stripe · Resend
Sole developer — design through deployment
GitHub Repo →Full-stack LMS built from scratch for Tanta Global Academy. Purpose-built for VA certification with features no off-the-shelf LMS offered at the same price point.
- SCORM 1.2 player with full suspend/resume — CMI state persisted to DB
- Multi-step certification: written exam → capstone submission → admin review → certificate
- Rubric-based admin review workflow with per-criteria pass/fail scoring
- Certificate PNG auto-generation with cert number sequencing (TGA-YYYY-XXXX)
- Public credential directory at /verify — searchable by name or cert number
- LinkedIn 'Add to Profile' deep link + OG meta tags on certificate pages
- Stripe Checkout + webhooks — individual and bundle exam purchases
- TGA-branded HTML email system via Resend (enrollment, pass, fail, cert ready)
- Admin panel: student roster, exam queue, rubric scorer, SCORM manager, question editor, audit log
- Row-level security on all tables, TOTP MFA for admin accounts
- Competitive gap: public credential directory + assessed capstone — no major LMS platform has both
Tanta Holdings — Company Website
Next.js 14 · Tailwind CSS · TypeScript · Vercel
Sole developer — design system, architecture, content
Full company website for Tanta Holdings LLC and all four subsidiaries. Custom design system built to professional agency standards.
- 6 pages: homepage, companies, solutions, founder profile, about, contact
- Custom Tailwind design system — company-specific color tokens per brand
- Animated hero sections, responsive mobile nav, glass-effect header
- Server-side contact form API with validation
- Portfolio sub-section at /solutions/portfolio
- Deployed to Vercel with GitHub CI
Tanta Visa Pathways — Visa Management Portal
React · Express · PostgreSQL · Firebase Auth · AWS S3
Architect and developer
Full-stack portal for managing J-1 and H-1B visa applicant intake, document processing, employer matching, and sponsorship tracking across the full lifecycle.
- Applicant intake → document review → school/employer matching → visa processing → compliance tracking
- J-1 and H-1B visa types supported
- Document upload module (PDF/JPG/PNG, up to 20MB) via Firebase Storage
- Admin dashboard with search, filter, review, and document approve/reject
- Firebase Auth with email + 2FA for applicant and admin accounts
- Application status tracker with stage-by-stage visibility
- Email notification system for status updates
- Data export (CSV/ZIP)
Systems & Automation
Operational Infrastructure
End-to-end automation systems built to run the Tanta Holdings content and operations engine.
Social Media Automation Pipeline
GitHub Actions · Make.com · YouTube API · Facebook Graph API · LinkedIn API · ManyChat
End-to-end content distribution system. YouTube Shorts produced, scheduled, and published — then automatically distributed to Facebook Reels, LinkedIn, and Instagram with platform-optimized captions and hashtags.
- YouTube smart scheduler: publishes 2 videos/week on set cadence through Oct 2026
- YouTube → Facebook Reels automated syndication via Make.com blueprints
- LinkedIn daily post automation (52-post queue)
- ManyChat comment-to-DM funnel (GUIDE / CERTIFY / SCREEN / DELEGATE keyword triggers)
- FB comment funnel: monitors every 10 min for trigger keywords, auto-routes to DM
- FB Reel amplifier: CTA injection on new videos + group amplification queue
- HubSpot lead enrollment from Facebook comments
- Result: 2,940+ YouTube subscribers, 471K+ total views
Kipi System — Q Founder OS
Claude Code · Node.js · MCP (Google Drive, Gmail, Calendar) · GitHub Actions
AI-powered founder operating system built for solo operators. Integrates calendar, email, CRM, and social platforms into a single daily action plan. ADHD-aware design from the ground up.
- 35-step automated morning routine: calendar pull, email triage, relationship follow-ups, content queue
- Post-conversation debrief automation: paste a transcript, get canonical files updated + follow-up drafted
- Time-stratified memory: working (48h) → weekly (7-day) → monthly (persistent insights)
- Loop tracker: opens on send, escalates at day 3/7/14, auto-closes on detected reply
- Voice skill: all output generated in founder's writing voice from actual samples
- MCP integrations: Google Drive, Gmail (work + personal), Google Calendar, Playwright browser control
- Token discipline system: CLI-first routing, deferred tool loading, context budgeting
- ADHD accommodation layer: friction-ordered tasks, effort tracking, no shame language
WordPress & Blog Content Systems
WordPress REST API · Node.js · Python · Brevo
Automated content deployment and management systems across the Tanta Holdings web properties.
- WordPress content deployer: page content, product pages, CSS injection, footer updates
- Blog engine: generate-and-publish automation
- LearnWorlds blog migration (full content transfer)
- Brevo email nurture sequences (4-tier scoring system: 0-7, 8-11, 12-15, 16-20)
- Tally lead capture diagnostic wired to Brevo tier enrollment
Digital Products
15 Published Products
SOP packs, VA starter kits, and operational templates published on Etsy and Gumroad. Instructional design applied to practical workforce readiness — at a consumer price point.
SOP Pack for Real Estate VAs
$9Real estate agents + VAs
SOP Pack for Amazon FBA VAs
$9FBA sellers + VAs
SOP Pack for Dental & Medical Office VAs
$12Healthcare practices
SOP Pack for Franchise Operations
$12Multi-location franchise owners
SOP Pack for Coaches & Consultants
$9Solo coaches and consultants
SOP Pack for Property Management VAs
$9Property managers + landlords
VA Starter Kit for Filipino Moms Re-Entering Work
$12Philippines career re-entry
VA Starter Kit for Career-Changing Teachers
$12Teachers → VA transition
First 30 Days as a VA — Checklist & Planner
$7New VAs of any background
VA Onboarding Checklist for Coaches
$7Coaches hiring first VA
Daily Planner for VAs Managing Multiple US Clients
$5Multi-client VAs
Client Offboarding Checklist for VAs
$3VAs ending contracts professionally
VA Rate Negotiation Script Pack
$5VAs negotiating with US clients
Destination Wedding VA Checklist
$5Wedding planners using VAs
90-Day Social Media Content Calendar for Real Estate VAs
$7Real estate VA social media
Publishing
The Standard Series
Applied instructional design knowledge turned into books — three for L&D professionals, one for international remote workers entering the US market.
Built to Standard, Part 1: The Design Standard
ISD Foundations, Learning Frameworks, and Working With Subject Matter Experts
For: Instructional Designers, L&D Managers
Built to Standard, Part 2: The Learning Standard
Documentation Systems, Training That Sticks, and Building the Standard That Sustains Itself
For: Instructional Designers, Operations Leaders
The Documentation Standard
The Instructional Designer's Edge
For: IDs, L&D Professionals, Training Managers
The American Standard
How International Virtual Assistants Build Trust, Earn More, and Work the Way US Clients Expect
For: Filipino VAs, International Remote Professionals
Technical Proficiency
Tools & Stack
Methodologies & Frameworks
ADDIE
Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation
SAM
Successive Approximation Model
Kirkpatrick Four Levels
Reaction, Learning, Behavior, Results
Human Performance Improvement (HPI)
Root cause → business outcome analysis
508 / WCAG 2.0
Accessibility compliance for federal courseware
Agile ISD
Iterative content development with sprint cycles
Education
Credentials
M.Ed. — Learning and Technology
Western Governors University
Integrating technology and instructional design, digital learning environments, and professional development.
B.S. — Technology & Training
The University of New Mexico
Adult learning, instructional design, eLearning, knowledge management, organizational development, and distance education.
Certifications (LinkedIn Learning)
- Articulate Storyline
- Camtasia Studio 8
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe Photoshop CC
- eLearning Essentials: Instructional Design
- Principle for UX Design
- Communicating Across Cultures
US Navy
Awards & Recognition
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
VADM, US Naval Forces Central Command
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
LCDR D.M. Slutz, USN — for dedication to training and mission readiness
Junior Sailor of the Year
United States Navy
Junior Sailor of the Quarter (×2)
US Navy Reserve
Letter of Commendation
RADM A.B. Hnarakis — critical crowd control during catastrophic air show flight mishap
Good Conduct Award
CAPT W.C. Tallman
Plane Captain of the Month (×2)
CAPT W.C. Tallman / CAPT P.D. Maxwell
Navy Evaluations Tutorial
Self-produced instructional video — 16,000+ views fleet-wide
Ready to Discuss a Project?
SCORM packages, full project files, and references available on request. Consulting engagements start with a 30-minute scoping call.