From eLearning to Learning Experience Design

Hello! I’m Barbara Nordin, an instructional designer and eLearning developer who blends a background in science, technical communication, and online learning design to create training that is clear, practical, and learner-centered.

Science, Story, and Systems Thinking

With a B.S. in Microbiology from Washington State University, a B.A. in Technical Writing, and more than 20 years of experience developing eLearning for corporate clients in medical, scientific, digital forensics, and wine-industry settings, I have built my career around translating complex information into learning experiences people can understand and apply. My early work as a medical technologist taught me the value of precision and accountability, while my later work in technical communication showed me how much thoughtful design matters in helping people learn.

A Bridge Between Experts and Learners

I see myself as a bridge between subject matter experts and the people who need their knowledge, using structure, storytelling, and evidence-based design to make expertise accessible without oversimplifying it. My professional identity is grounded in curiosity, clarity, and respect for learners’ time, and I value collaborating early with stakeholders to understand the real performance problem before designing a solution.

Designing Learning Experiences That Work in the Real World

Currently, I am completing the Learning Design and Technology master’s program at the University of San Diego as I transition more fully from technical writing into learning experience design. I want to be recognized as a thoughtful, systems-minded instructional designer who can work across complex domains, ask strong questions, and create learning solutions that support both organizational goals and learner success.

As I continue to grow in the ID community, I aim to be known for curiosity, careful listening, and designing learner experiences that respect both complexity and people’s time.