Samantha Joy Whitaker
Instruction Developer
Building: Rose Library
Office: 5311
Departments: Instructional Design, Learning Innovations & Design
Pronouns: She / Her / HersAbout me
I am an Instruction Developer with Instructional Design in the Learning Innovations & Design (LID) unit at JMU Libraries. Before pursuing a graduate degree, I was teaching middle & high school choir in a hybrid format. This gave me the opportunity to explore new technologies with the aim of augmenting student engagement. The music classroom setting allowed for interesting experimentation because technology became the vessel in which the students expressed their art. I am passionate about teaching music because of its capabilities in impacting student growth and confidence. With JMU Libraries, I have been fortunate to further enrich my experience with educational technology. I love to develop training programs, create interactive tutorials with technologies, and extend possibilities with digital pedagogy exploration.
Education, Training, and Certification M.M., Vocal Performance & Pedagogy (Emphasis in Singing Health), James Madison University B.M., Music Education, University of Texas at El Paso
About Instructional Design
We are committed to building an engaging and inclusive learning environment at JMU by consulting with instructors and programs on instructional design (ID) for courses, curricula, and learning initiatives.
As instructional designers, our practices are informed by learning sciences, systems thinking, and pedagogy-driven community building. Centering equity, accessibility, and inclusion, we support instruction, learning, and scholarly work by providing instructional design solutions to enhance and sustain learners’ success. Our work simultaneously holds space to explore evidence-based emerging teaching and learning trends, tools, and methods while centering an ethic of care and a learner-centered experience
Request a consultation (select “Instructional Design & Technology” on the form) to design and develop inclusive and engaging assignments, courses, program orientations, learner-oriented resources, and curricula.
Learn more about our services.
About Learning Innovations & Design
We create virtual and physical spaces, programs, and services for the JMU community to enhance, experiment with, and innovate in their teaching, learning, and scholarship.
Departments in this unit include Classroom Technology Services, Educational Technology Services, Instructional Design, Learning Technology Services, and Media Production & Makerspace Services.
To get started using our services, visit the Learning Innovations & Design Desk online or in Rose Library.