Boise State Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning

Companies invest billions in employee training each year, yet studies show that only 10-15% of training actually transfers to the workplace. So how can organizations ensure their learning investments truly enhance skills and performance?

In their latest article, OPWL Student Melanie Beardall and Dr. Seung Youn (Yonnie) Chyung explore the science of learning - diving into surface vs. deep learning approaches and what organizations can do to increase knowledge retention and application.

This is a must-read for L&D professionals, HR leaders, and anyone invested in employee development. Get insights into how strategic training methods can drive both employee engagement and organizational success!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-deep-surface-learning-approaches-melanie-beardall-9iobc/?trackingId=11AzwGVhRnCGlMHwlxSDlQ%3D%3D

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Don Winiecki learned Braille to prepare for potential vision loss and soon realized the lack of Braille in everyday materials, especially in non-Latin languages. He now transcribes Braille in 29 languages, focusing on underserved languages like Arabic. His groundbreaking work earned him the Bolotin Award, recognizing his contributions to increasing accessibility for the blind.

https://lnkd.in/g7YikDAx

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Dear OPWL Alumni and Students,

We are excited to invite you to a special celebration in honor of Jo Ann Fenner, who is retiring after more than 35 incredible years with the OPWL program. Over the past three and a half decades, Jo Ann has been a rock in our department—a mentor, friend, and an inspiration to us all. Her unwavering dedication and kindness have left an indelible mark on our community.

Jo Ann Fenner has been an advocate for online learning and online students since before online learning was a mainstream option. She has worked for the OPWL program since 1989, and while we are sad to see her go, she has certainly earned her retirement!

Jo Ann, a true pillar of the OPWL program, has worn multiple hats throughout her time with us. For many of you, she may have been the first person at Boise State that you spoke with as you started your journey in the OPWL program. The program, faculty and student support services have evolved during its 35 years of operation. Still, Jo Ann’s unwavering dedication to program excellence and student experience has remained a constant source of inspiration.

When reflecting on her career with the OPWL program, Jo Ann shared, “I did not grow up thinking that I would have a job in which I would meet people from around the world, discuss their professional goals and assist them with accomplishing those goals by navigating an online graduate program to their successful graduation. It made for an exciting and very rewarding career”

Retirement Party Details:
Date: November 14, 2024
Time: 5:00-6:00 PM MST
Location: Zoom
https://boisestate.zoom.us/j/99878259514?pwd=UaGy90GLBySrB93va4BWo2XkYkuGwc.1

We invite you to share your cherished memories, heartfelt tributes, and expressions of gratitude for Jo Ann. Your stories and sentiments will be a meaningful part of the celebration, allowing us all to reflect on the impact she has had on our lives and the OPWL program.

Whether it’s a specific moment that touched you, a lesson learned, or simply a note of appreciation, your contributions will help us honor Jo Ann in a way that truly reflects her incredible journey.

To RSVP or to share your memories, tributes, and gratitude please submit them here: https://forms.gle/GgLscgnzvqRbqNn48

If you would like to donate to the OPWL Scholarship in honor of Jo Ann, you can do so here: https://give.boisestate.edu/pages/engineering-deparments

Thank you for helping us celebrate Jo Ann' s legacy and the profound influence she has had on all of us!

Boise State University is now offering an Online Graduate Certificate in Organizational Development. Our certificate program can help you develop the skills needed to analyze organizational factors and their impact.

Check out more about our amazing new program at the link below.

https://www.boisestate.edu/online/opwl/graduate-certificate-organizational-development/

Whether you are an educator seeking new skills or looking to transition the skills you already have into your next vocational adventure, Boise State's Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning program (OPWL) is an excellent place for educators to craft a new context for what it means to learn. The skills educators already possess, such as skill crafting, curriculum development, and adapting to new technologies, directly relate to performance improvement and workplace learning.

For years, OPWL at Boise State has been a catalyst for professionals, expanding their instructional design toolkit to include essential skills and resources. The program's emphasis on practical experiences, real-world projects, and a global community of professionals provides insights and best practices that can be immediately applied to your career as an educator and beyond. A master's degree from OPWL can open doors to leadership roles, increase your salary, help you stand out from your coworkers, and drive meaningful change in educational settings. It's a path to career advancement that's waiting for you to seize it.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Explore our Master of Science in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning program today! If you're looking for a way to get a taste of what we do, consider one of our 4 graduate certificates to specialize in a specific area. https://www.boisestate.edu/online/opwl/about/

Explore 5 Exciting Career Paths with OPWL!

**Instructional Designer
Craft engaging e-learning modules, training programs, and presentations tailored to organizational needs. Plus, evaluate the effectiveness of your designs!

**Performance Improvement Consultant
Dive deep into Human Performance Improvement (HPI) to identify gaps and develop targeted interventions. Flexibility and a diverse skill set are key!

**Learning and Development Specialist
Foster a culture of continuous learning by tailoring or creating training programs that address company needs and support employee growth.

**Performance Analyst
Use data to uncover organizational issues and recommend improvements. Your strategic insights will be crucial for driving meaningful change.

**Human Resource Specialist
From recruiting and onboarding to conflict resolution and benefits management, HR specialists play a vital role in shaping a positive workplace.

Curious about more career opportunities? Explore them here: https://www.boisestate.edu/online/opwl/careers/

We're excited to welcome Ellie Thorne to the team! Ellie holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University and a Master's in Education in Reading from Northwest Missouri State. She has spent the last three years making a difference as a reading interventionist and ESOL teacher.

Outside of work, Ellie enjoys painting, going on walks with her dog, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. She’s eager to dive into the instructional design field, gain hands-on experience, and connect with others in the program.

We're thrilled to have Ellie on board and can't wait to see the great work she'll do!

We're excited to welcome Marium Baig to the OPWL RA/TA team! Marium is currently pursuing her master's degree in OPWL at Boise State University and has been living in Yardley, Pennsylvania, for the past five years. She is making an inspiring transition from teaching to instructional design, bringing with her a strong background in Biological Sciences, where her passion for the natural world and curiosity about how things work were first ignited.

Marium's career in education allowed her to share her love for science with young learners in grades four through six. Her unique talent for simplifying complex concepts and creating engaging learning experiences made her a standout educator.

Beyond her professional achievements, Marium is also an accomplished oil painter, finding both joy and relaxation in her creative work. Her love for painting beautifully complements her instructional design journey, where she explores innovative approaches to visual storytelling and content creation.

Marium is thrilled to be working with Dr. da Silva, and we're equally excited to have her on board. Welcome, Marium!

We’re thrilled to welcome Amber Gibson to the OPWL RA/TA team! After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Educational Leadership from The Evergreen State College in 2020, Amber made a huge impact during her two terms with AmeriCorps in Washington State. She then returned to her hometown of Boise, Idaho, where she spent two years as a special education paraeducator with the Boise School District. Currently, Amber is diving into her Master’s degree in OPWL, with a focus on Workplace E-Learning Design and Development. Her academic passions? Ethical AI in training and making education more equitable for all learners.

When she’s not busy studying or working, Amber loves whipping up homemade pepperoni rolls, spending time with her family, traveling, and singing with the Boise Women’s Chorus. Oh, and did we mention she performed at Carnegie Hall in NYC this past June?

This year, Amber is most excited about taking on special projects for the OPWL program and collaborating with Kori Anna Smith.

Welcome back, Karyna Mangusheva, to the OPWL team for the 24-25 academic year! Karyna has been immersed in the teaching English as a foreign language industry for over seven years. Her interest in instructional design was sparked by her experience creating a painting course for an online learning platform. She holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a certificate in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Karyna enjoys painting, hiking, and traveling. We're thrilled to see you dive deep into research and contribute your expertise to support your fellow classmates. Here's to a productive and inspiring academic year!

We're delighted to welcome Melanie Beardall to the OPWL RA/TA team! Melanie brings a wealth of experience, having graduated from Boise State University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business administration. She spent several years in finance and operations management before taking the leap in 2015 to found Boise’s only custom-allergen and diet-accommodation bakery in the Treasure Valley.

Outside of her baking success, Melanie loves spending time with her children, cheering on Bronco Football, and exploring new destinations. While baking has been a significant part of her journey, she’s excited to refocus on her true passion—research and critical thinking in the field of Learning and Development.

We’re excited to see the impact Melanie will have on our team!

We're excited to welcome Katie Lockhart to the OPWL RA/TA team! Katie earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Iowa State University and has since built a dynamic career in education, serving as a Program Manager and National Trainer for a non-profit. Now, she brings her expertise to us as an Instructional Designer and Learning Consultant.

Katie's passion for leading and developing people, systems, and organizations led her to pursue her Master's degree in OPWL. Outside of her professional life, Katie enjoys cycling, hitting the gym, and exploring the great outdoors. She’s often found with a psychological thriller in hand, alongside her husband and two dogs, always ready for the next adventure.

Katie is eager to work under Dr. Winieki and support other OPWL students, seeing this as a fantastic opportunity to hone her skills and help others build confidence in their learning. We're thrilled to have her on board!

Welcome back to the team, Sumaya Ali, our OPWL Graduate Assistant for the 24-25 academic year!

Sumaya has been an invaluable part of our team, bringing her passion for education and a strong academic background. With a Bachelor's degree in English and Education from the University of Washington, Sumaya has also gained hands-on experience as an ESL paraeducator and earned her TESOL certificate along the way.

Her ambition to become an instructional designer, combined with her expertise in teaching and writing, drives her to create effective and inclusive learning materials that have the potential to shape the future of education.

When she’s not working, Sumaya enjoys watching documentaries, crafting poetry, improving her tennis game, and spending quality time with family and friends.

We’re excited to have Sumaya continue her journey with us, working closely with Dr. Martinez this year. We know their collaboration will lead to great things.

Please join us in welcoming back Sumaya Ali! We’re eager to see the positive impact she’ll continue to make on our team.

We're excited to welcome David Spearle to the OPWL RA/TA team! David earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Utah State University, where he developed a passion for understanding human behavior and analyzing systems for improvement. His enthusiasm for these areas has led him to pursue a career in OPWL.

Outside of work, David enjoys staying active in the gym, exploring nature, trying new foods and drinks, and spending quality time with his wife, friends, and cats. He’s eager to dive into the OPWL world through his coursework and experiences with Dr. Roy, with a particular interest in process improvement and organizational development.

We're thrilled to have David on board and look forward to the insights and energy he'll bring to the team!