James Mackay MSc
Instructional Designer | E-Learning Specialist

James R O Mackay MSc

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Personal Statement

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"For me Instructional design is about making a difference in peoples lives. Helping people and organizations overcome challenges and change."

Employment History

"I have worked in many areas where I have had to implement change to improve systems."

2022-Onwards
Instructional Designer & E-learning Specialist (Freelance)
Relevant highlights include:
  • Working with stakeholders and subject matter experts
  • Project development from analysis to final solution
  • Collaboration on blended learning training projects
  • 2022-Onwards
    2017 - 2022
    Freelance IT and Education Consultant
    Relevant highlights include
  • Writing feasibility studies on education projects
  • Building websites and marketing materials
  • Consulting on Educational tours
  • Coaching in using Personas in marketing
  • Creating style guides and branding
  • 2017 - 2022
    2009 - 2011
    Director of IT & Media Services
    St. John International University, Italy
    A small American University in Italy, multitasking and flexibility were essential.
    Relevant highlights include:
  • Developed and deployed LMS
  • Delivered staff training for IT and LMS
  • Developed Math Placement Test
  • Managing stakeholders expectations
  • Coached Italian staff in Pedagogy
  • 2009 - 2011
    2006 - 2009
    Head of ICT
    The International School of Turin (ACAT-IST), Italy
    A Pre-K - 12 school, following the International Baccalaureate Program. During my time I introduced IT to the mainstream function of the school.
    Revelant highlights included:
  • Regular staff training in IT adoption and use
  • Delivered staff training in 'developing policies'
  • Full school feasibility study on IT provision
  • 5-year school wide IT development plan
  • Produced full school IT curriculum plan
  • 2006 - 2009
    Sept 2002 - August 2006
    Maths Teacher
    The Oratory School, Woodcote, UK
    An Independant private boys boarding school
    Relevant Highlights include:
  • Assisted in writing whole school Maths curriculum updates and new schemes of work
  • Additionally Taught ICT and Religion
  • Project managed all inter-school social events
  • Sept 2002 - August 2006

    Education and Qualifications

    "I have a good grounding in Theory and best practice"

    MSc in E-Learning

    University of Edinburgh, 

    (2011 – 2012)

    Relevant courses studied:

    • Introduction to Digital Environments for Learning
    • Course Design
    • Online Assessment
    • Introduction to Digital Game Based Learning
    • Research Methods
    BSc Mathematics with Education

    King’s College London 

    (1997 – 2001)

    Relevant courses studied:
    • Educational Pychology
    • Education in Society
    PGCE Secondary Mathematics

    King’s College London

    (1999 – 2000)

    UK – Teaching Qualification awarded with Degree in 2001.

    CELTA

    University of Cambridge
    Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults

    Passed with Pass B
    July 2011
    (Awarded to top 10%)

    Google Certifications
    google project management certificate 150px
    Project Management
    google ux design certificate 150px
    UX Design
    Other recent learning
    • 2023 – JavaScript (Javascript and JavaScript Deep dive – Coursera and Scrimba)
    • 2023Google Certificate in Project Management
      (6 of 6 courses completed)
    • 2023Google Certificate in Data Analysis
      (3 of 8 courses completed)
    • 2018 – Introduction to HTML 5 + CSS 3
      (Coursera.org Uni. of Michigan)
    • 2016 – Introduction to Typography
      (Coursera.org – California Institute of Arts)
    • 2016 – Introduction to Graphic Design
      (Coursera.org – California Institute of Arts)
    • 2014 – Learning how to Learn
      (Coursera.org – Deep Teaching Solutions.)

    Let's Connect

    Looking for someone to help you with your Instructional Design, E-learning, Coaching or Teaching needs?

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    Let's Connect - About James

    IT Proficiancy

    Learning new packages has always been an important part of my life. I grew up with computers at home, school, university and work.
    I quickly adapt to new packages and am able to pick them up quickly. I use a range of personal learning styles to help me tackle unknown software and skills with in them.

    "I use a range of industry-standard software to create effective learning materials... My aim is to provide high-quality instructional design and e-learning solutions that bring about lasting and accountable change. Changes that should bring a good return on investment."

    Instructional Design Tools

    Software/Suite
    Specifics and comments
    Articulate Storyline
    Advanced content including JavaScript
    Adobe Captivate
    Have used it to create training content.

    Support Tools

    Software/Suite
    Specifics
    Microsoft Office 365
    Word | Excel | PowerPoint | Outlook | Teams | OneNote | Lists | Planner | Admin of 365 tenents
    Google Workspace
    Docs | Sheet | Slide | Drive | Forms | GMail | Admin. of tenent
    AdobeCreative Cloud
    Illustrator | InDesign | XD | Captivate | Photoshop
    Figma
    Design, prototyping and collaboration tool (Figma and FigJar)
    DaVinci Resolve
    Video editing software

    CMS and LMS

    Software/Suite
    Specifics and comments
    Moodle LMS
    Course building | Course Administration | System administration
    Blackboard LMS
    Course building | Course Administration
    WordPress CMS
    Website building | Website administration | content management | content production
    Media-Wiki
    Site building and administration

    IT Languages

    HTML 5     CSS 3       JavaScript        LaTex       Markdown

    Personal Interests