Q&A with Jodie: Achieving Success in Digital Learning Design

In today’s evolving education landscape, the role of a Digital Learning Designer is crucial. These professionals blend creativity with pedagogy to craft engaging online learning experiences. Jodie, a rising star in this field, recently completed the Digital Learning Institute’s Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design as part of her Level 5 Apprenticeship.

Starting as a qualified teacher, Jodie discovered a passion for digital content creation, which led her to the Digital Learning Designer Apprenticeship with Apprentify. Here, she found the perfect mix of her educational background and creative ambitions.

In this Q&A, Jodie discusses her journey, the challenges and successes she’s faced, and how she’s preparing for the next step in her career as she approaches her End-Point Assessment. Her story highlights the power of combining passion with professional growth.

Q: First of all, congratulations on recently completing the Digital Learning Institute’s Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design as part of your Level 5 Apprenticeship! How does it feel to have achieved this milestone, and how has it prepared you as you approach the Gateway in December?

Jodie: I'm genuinely thrilled to have not only finished the Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design but also to have achieved a Distinction! I couldn't believe it when my provisional grade came through with a score of 93%! This qualification felt like the perfect preparation before starting to consider my EPA. It developed and assessed skills crucial for success at this level, such as critical thinking, reflection, and evaluation. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to undertake a university-recognised Level 5 qualification as part of my apprenticeship journey. I can't thank my team at Apprentify and the Digital Learning Institute enough for their support and guidance.

Q: What motivated you to pursue the Digital Learning Designer Apprenticeship?

Jodie: Having spent a year as a qualified teacher, I realised that my passion for education and helping others learn didn't need to be confined to a traditional classroom. While I loved teaching, I wanted a career where I could also use my creative skills daily, as I was already creating content outside of work and found a lot of joy in it. When I discovered the Digital Learning Designer Apprenticeship with Apprentify, it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine both my passions—integrating my educational background with my creative hobbies. I can honestly say that I have loved every minute of my apprenticeship so far.

Q: What were some of the most valuable skills or knowledge you gained from the Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design, and how do they complement your apprenticeship training?

Jodie: One of the most valuable skills I gained from the Professional Diploma was the ability to evaluate digital learning outputs and resources effectively. The Digital Learning Institute provided well-crafted resources that guided us through the final project, involving a complete digital learning design process. The skill of evaluation is emphasised at each stage of the ADDIE Design Process, with examples to illustrate what evaluation could look like at each stage. This was an area of weakness for me before, but my understanding has grown significantly. This directly complemented my studies with Apprentify, where I was developing project management expertise and learning to incorporate evaluation opportunities into my projects, all while mastering the creation of successful digital learning outputs.

Q: Can you share a specific project or achievement from your Professional Diploma or apprenticeship that you’re particularly proud of?

Jodie: Since starting my apprenticeship, I've accomplished many things I'm proud of, but if I had to choose, one standout achievement from the Professional Diploma was my work on a fully interactive project. It was my first time using all of the interactive features within Adobe InDesign, and I successfully created a final output that was not only fully interactive but also downloadable and accessible to a wide range of learners and learning styles.

In terms of my apprenticeship, my most significant project to date has been the implementation of a new Learning Management System (LMS), Canvas, at Netcom Training. This was a particularly long and challenging project, but through it, I developed many new skills that have greatly contributed to my professional growth.

Q: How has completing the Professional Diploma impacted your career or personal growth as you continue through your apprenticeship?

Jodie: Since beginning the Professional Diploma, I have gained a wealth of new knowledge, skills, and behaviors. I've even been able to share this newfound knowledge with my team. I now feel more equipped to make recommendations for improving our current practices and identifying new areas for development within my own work.

Q: How did Apprentify and the partnership with the Digital Learning Institute support you throughout your journey, especially in completing the Professional Diploma?

Jodie: The team at the Digital Learning Institute was incredibly helpful throughout the assessment process. Their high-quality learning and assessment resources were invaluable in guiding the creation of my final project. They were not only attentive but also consistently reliable, offering in-depth feedback and promptly addressing my queries through both email and their discussion forum.

Equally, I cannot thank Apprentify enough for the level of support and guidance I have received. My team celebrated my achievements and encouraged me to explore and challenge the new insights I gained from the Professional Diploma. My development coach at Apprentify has also been fantastic, keeping me motivated during the challenging diploma project and helping me build upon the knowledge I acquired.

Q: Describe your experience with the Professional Diploma and your apprenticeship in 3 words.

Jodie: Valuable, Engaging, and Rewarding!

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to others considering a Digital Learning Designer Apprenticeship with Apprentify, particularly with the opportunity to earn the CDLP qualification?

Jodie: I would absolutely encourage them to go for it! Approach the apprenticeship with enthusiasm, fully utilise the available resources, stay engaged with your support network, and celebrate your achievements. It’s a rewarding path that sets you up for a successful career in digital learning design.

We wish Jodie the best of luck as she approaches her End-Point Assessment in December, and we look forward to celebrating her continued success in the field of digital learning design.