Shipe Leverages Instructional Design Degree to Train First Responders

Before Kelly Shipe began her career in the world of instructional design, her background in theater and film production allowed her to work as part of a role-playing troupe for live training programs. When the pandemic forced a shift to virtual training, she was propelled into a new occupation: designing courses for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Bridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center (BETS).

"After things went virtual, they brought me in to help produce those classes and experiences. I was working with an instructional technologist during that time but I had never really heard of instructional design before," Shipe said. "I saw how important it was for creating educational content. Whether it's live or virtual, you need to make sure everything you produce is entertaining and focused on meeting your objectives."

It became apparent that to continue in this field and contribute at a higher level she would need a master's degree to deepen her knowledge of modalities, learning theories and other relevant tools and concepts. Shipe considered a number of programs, but ultimately settled on Trevecca's master's in instructional design and technology.

"What I loved about Trevecca was that it brought together instructional design with technology, which many programs did not do, and that has been crucial for my work," Shipe said. "The program also had a strong focus on adult learning, e-learning and training outside the traditional classroom, which was perfect for me."

Trevecca's affordability and flexible structure, which allowed her to continue working and implement her learning in real time, made it an ideal fit. As she continued to work for the DOE, her practical classwork led her to an exciting capstone project that became an important career step.

Shipe works on a variety of training programs, but one of her primary areas of focus is radiation safety training for first responders. The curriculum helps police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers learn how to manage incidents involving radioactive materials.

"These programs are critical because first responders need to know how to act quickly and in a very specific way to protect themselves and the public," Shipe explains. "The way you respond to a radiological emergency is very different from other types of crises, so the training has to be precise and effective."

She identified a gap in radiation safety training that involved the radiation safety officers (RSOs) having varying levels of knowledge. For her capstone, Shipe developed a training program aimed at bridging this gap, helping RSOs build confidence and skills before they entered higher-risk scenarios.

"This was a huge challenge, but I worked through the process, from conducting a needs assessment to proposing a new course," Shipe said. "Being able to assess the needs of your learners before creating content is key. At Trevecca, I learned how to write an effective needs assessment early on, and that skill has served me well."

Her project received the necessary approval, and is moving forward with curriculum development.
As Shipe continues to develop courses and work on high-impact projects, she is also focusing on innovative approaches to learning that Trevecca emphasized and which will shape the field of instructional design in coming years.

"One of the things I'm really excited about is the use of extended reality (XR) in training. Trevecca's program gave me a solid foundation in these technologies, and now I'm looking to integrate them into our programs," Shipe said.

She also sees the potential of incorporating virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and haptics as ways to enhance the learner's experience.

Ultimately, her goal is to continue to grow as an instructional designer and to create meaningful learning experiences that make an impact.

"It's all about collaboration, working closely with subject matter experts and understanding how to deliver content that resonates with adult learners," Shipe said. "I've learned so much getting my degree and from the talented team I work with, and I'm excited to continue learning and growing in this field."