Desiree Newhook headshot

Desiree Newhook (she/her)

Instructional Designer

Let's Talk Science

Created On: December 20, 2023
Sector:
Education and Training
Education Pathway: College/Technical , University
Related School Subjects:
Art,  Computer Science,  English & Language Arts,  Technology & Engineering
Readability:
8.13

Learn About My Career

I take hard-to-understand information and create simple and accessible learning experiences.

I was born/grew up in: Barrie, ON

I now live in: St. John's, NL

I completed my training/education at:  University of Guelph, B.Sc., University of Toronto, OISE B.Ed., and University of Calgary, E-learning Certificate for Adult Education.

I spend most of my day researching new topics and working with subject matter experts. I build games, videos, and online interactions. I am always discovering new ways to integrate learning strategies into online courses.

My work is done on a computer. I use a variety of software tools to design the learning experience. This includes the Articulate 360 suite, Adobe suite, Canva and Canvas. I have also started using artificial intelligence tools, like language learning models (LLMs) and image generators. I use them to help spark ideas when developing new content.

I work with an amazing group of people who help to collaborate and review the course content. Working with a team helps to strengthen the course content. It also gives me chance to see if what I have developed is simple and makes sense.

When I first graduated high school, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I love animals! I found a great job working for a Humane Society. I worked in public relations and communications. Here I also discovered my love of teaching others.

In my late 20s, I decided to go back to school to get my teaching degree. When I graduated, there were few opportunities to teach full-time in a classroom. I returned to public relations and communications. But I still felt strongly about teaching and learning. During the pandemic, I returned to school to get my e-learning certificate for adult learning and instructional design and became an instructional designer.

As an instructional designer, I am always learning new things. I love the process of discovering a new topic. I enjoy meeting with people who are experts in their field. I love taking that shared knowledge and sharing it with others in simple and accessible ways. This career combines my love of storytelling with the opportunity to be visually creative with the design and layout of a course. Technology changes at such a rapid pace. As a result, I also get to learn and test out new technologies and tools that support a great online learning experience.

I provide educators with the space to learn and reflect on relevant STEM topics. These educators can then take the information and the learning strategies back to their classrooms. Then they can help their students learn and reflect.

I enjoy hiking. I live in a beautiful province with wonderful and challenging hiking trails. I also enjoy Pilates, yoga, meditation and exploring new hobbies. I recently took a class on creating stained glass pieces. I spend quite a bit of time with my kids and family and volunteer in their school library.

If you are the kind of student who takes what you have learned from the teacher and then re-explains that information to your friends so they can understand it, instructional design may be for you. Be open to problem-solving, being creative and helping others.

What I do at work

I spend most of my day researching new topics and working with subject matter experts. I build games, videos, and online interactions. I am always discovering new ways to integrate learning strategies into online courses.

My work is done on a computer. I use a variety of software tools to design the learning experience. This includes the Articulate 360 suite, Adobe suite, Canva and Canvas. I have also started using artificial intelligence tools, like language learning models (LLMs) and image generators. I use them to help spark ideas when developing new content.

I work with an amazing group of people who help to collaborate and review the course content. Working with a team helps to strengthen the course content. It also gives me chance to see if what I have developed is simple and makes sense.

My career path is

When I first graduated high school, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I love animals! I found a great job working for a Humane Society. I worked in public relations and communications. Here I also discovered my love of teaching others.

In my late 20s, I decided to go back to school to get my teaching degree. When I graduated, there were few opportunities to teach full-time in a classroom. I returned to public relations and communications. But I still felt strongly about teaching and learning. During the pandemic, I returned to school to get my e-learning certificate for adult learning and instructional design and became an instructional designer.

I am motivated by

As an instructional designer, I am always learning new things. I love the process of discovering a new topic. I enjoy meeting with people who are experts in their field. I love taking that shared knowledge and sharing it with others in simple and accessible ways. This career combines my love of storytelling with the opportunity to be visually creative with the design and layout of a course. Technology changes at such a rapid pace. As a result, I also get to learn and test out new technologies and tools that support a great online learning experience.

How I affect peoples’ lives

I provide educators with the space to learn and reflect on relevant STEM topics. These educators can then take the information and the learning strategies back to their classrooms. Then they can help their students learn and reflect.

Outside of work I

I enjoy hiking. I live in a beautiful province with wonderful and challenging hiking trails. I also enjoy Pilates, yoga, meditation and exploring new hobbies. I recently took a class on creating stained glass pieces. I spend quite a bit of time with my kids and family and volunteer in their school library.

My advice to others

If you are the kind of student who takes what you have learned from the teacher and then re-explains that information to your friends so they can understand it, instructional design may be for you. Be open to problem-solving, being creative and helping others.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Geography
  • Math
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Computer Science
  • Business & Economics

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Brought people together
  • Enjoyed doing things on my own
  • Always wanted to be outside
  • Enjoyed working with my hands
  • Wanted to be in charge
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Liked to take things apart to see how they worked
  • Learned by by doing
  • Liked to design or build things
  • Always knew what I wanted to do

Related Topics

Careers Communications Technology Design Education Educational Designer Teaching Teaching with Tech Technology

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen