In the bustling digital age, Cheryl Johnson emerged as a beacon of innovation and expertise in the realm of learning and development. Her journey, marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep-seated passion for education, unfolded across various landscapes, from the halls of academia, the unique needs of numerous government agencies to the cutting-edge frontiers of many Fortune 100 companies. 

 

The Challenge of Innovation

 

Cheryl's story recently walked the corridors of the University of California, Merced, where she was tasked with the monumental challenge of designing and developing learning solutions for the Procurement department. This was no ordinary assignment; it required a deep dive into the personas of individuals within the department, understanding not just their formal job roles but the informal tasks and technology that underpinned their daily responsibilities.

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Cheryl's innovative spirit shone brightly as she led a team of six student interns, guiding them through complex data analysis projects, knowledge management solutions, and the intricacies of UX/UI design for websites and surveys. Together, they harnessed the power of business analysis tools like Tableau and Excel, documenting business processes and crafting a sophisticated dashboard of key performance indicators for senior management. This was a turning point, not just for the department but for Cheryl herself, as she realized the transformative power of tailored learning solutions.

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The Integration Odyssey

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Cheryl's journey took her to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Montreal, where she embarked on an odyssey to integrate their Learning Management System into Salesforce. The variety of integration projects at this and other organizations were a crucible of her skills, blending due diligence with the creation of personas and user stories. It was a testament to her ability to navigate the complex interplay between technology and learning, ensuring that the LMS’s seamlessly met the organization's needs.

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The Volunteer Visionary

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Amidst her professional endeavors, Cheryl's commitment to fostering a culture of learning led her to volunteer with Learn.coop. Here, she was instrumental in designing a learning platform that not only supported formal and informal learning but also social networking opportunities. This platform, built on Moodle, was a labor of love, reflecting Cheryl's belief in the power of community and collaboration in learning. Her vision was clear: to create a space where electrical cooperatives across the USA and Canada could thrive, driven by technology-based and offline learning targeted at organizational objectives and improved performance. This volunteer project was an outgrowth of her time at Touchstone Energy where she worked with over 900 electrical cooperatives to design a learning management system that met each group’s individual and collective needs. 

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The Award-Nominated Campaign

 

Cheryl's innovative approach to learning and development caught the eye of the Genesis Rehabilitation family, where she designed a learning campaign for their new Vitality to You program. This wasn't just any campaign; it was a strategic, long-term initiative aimed at reducing re-hospitalizations, employing case studies and Kirkpatrick’s Level III and IV evaluation methods. The campaign's impact was profound, earning a learning impact award and showcasing Cheryl's ability to align learning solutions with business metrics.

 

The Mastery of Moodle and Mahara

 

At the heart of Cheryl's story was her mastery of Moodle LMS and the social learning platform Mahara. Her ability to connect these platforms to the Learning Locker LRS was a game-changer, enabling a seamless integration of learning experiences across various modalities. This technical prowess was not just about connecting systems; it was about creating ecosystems where learning could flourish, driven by data and supported by a community of learners.

 

The Legacy of Leadership

 

Cheryl's journey was punctuated by her involvement in prestigious membership organizations and the recognition of her work through awards. These accolades were not just ornaments of success; they were beacons that illuminated her path, inspiring others in the field of learning and development. Her leadership extended beyond the confines of projects and platforms, influencing the broader discourse on education and technology.

 

The Transformation

 

As Cheryl Johnson, the heroine of our story, navigated the challenges and opportunities of her career, she left an indelible mark on the world of learning and development. Her journey was a testament to the power of innovation, leadership, and a deep-seated passion for education. Through her work, she not only transformed the organizations she worked with but also the lives of countless learners who benefited from her vision and expertise. Cheryl's story is a reminder that at the intersection of technology and education lies the potential for profound change, a legacy that continues to inspire and shape the future of learning.