About me
Professional statement
My name is Seth Newsome, and I am a learning experience designer with over 14 years working as an instructor and over 8 years creating programs.
I believe that learning is much more than a person simply absorbing information or practicing skills. Real learning is measured by how a person can integrate information and skills into their everyday life and their work. I enjoy the process of looking at complex, technical information and skills and helping to create experiences where learners can succeed using instructional design frameworks.
Most recently I have focused on industrial arts skills, working at Humanmade, a makerspace and job training center. I have collaborated with subject matter experts in woodworking, metal fabrication, 3D printing, and 3D design software. However I believe my same approach can be applied to a wide variety of disciplines, I want to help people succeed in a wide variety of settings and skills.
I am also skilled in creating interactive content using Articulate 360, Camtasia, the Adobe Creative Suite. I also have experience with technical writing and using CAD programs to create technical drawings for instructional purposes.
Resume
Instructional experience
Humanmade - Makerspace & Job Training Center • 2019 - Present
Education coordinator - 2021 - present
- Collaborated with various subject matter experts to produce instructor led training programs for multiple workshop disciplines, including woodworking, metal working, digital fabrication, and design software. Over the past 4 years these training sessions have been delivered to over 3000 paying participants.
- I onboarded, trained, and supervised a team of 12+ volunteer workshop instructors, including making instructor facing lesson plans and guides, and giving feedback on their work with learners.
- I led the hiring process for three staff instructors, including reviewing resumes, handling phone and in-person interviews, and having select applicants perform demonstration lessons.
- Collaborated with two experienced youth educators to make an 8-week, 200 hour youth program introducing 20+ high school students to fabrication technology. I created both student and instructor facing learning materials.
- Managed purchasing for the facility including managing requests for shop supplies, event supplies, and special equipment purchases. I tracked and coded these expenses according to our accounting system.
Senior Project specialist - 2019 - 2021
- Supervised members using the woodshop to ensure safety, shop protocols, and etiquette. This included having discussions with members who violated shop policies, and mediating conflicts between community members.
- Led hands-on training sessions in advanced equipment use, including CNC machines, laser cutters, and woodshop equipment. I consistently received positive feedback for clarity and instructional quality.
- Created a workplace training program for a client company, which involved creating reference material, job aids, training protocols, and training several employees to be trainers for their organization.
- Planned and led over a dozen large group hands-on workshops, ranging from 15 - 40+ participants. This included purchasing materials and supplies, keeping the event on budget and on time.
Woodshop Instructor • Various • Techshop SF; The Crucible; Lower 48 ; Clayroom• 2013 - 2020
- Instructed over 2000 students in woodworking techniques at Techshop, enhancing technical skills and safety awareness and teaching project skills including joinery, finishing, and raw lumber processing.
- Consulted with Clayroom, a DIY pottery studio on the building of a woodshop. This involved creating their opening curriculum, creating training and evaluation standards, and training their staff to maintain equipment. The programs I created significantly expanded their user base and student signup rate.
- Served on the board of directors and delivered training at Lower 48 Woodshop, a non-profit woodshop in Oakland specialized in working with underrepresented groups in woodworking including women, POC, and LGBTQ+.
ESL Instructor • CDI (Chungdahm Learning Institute), South Korea • 2010 - 2013
- Delivered an engaging ESL curriculum tailored to the needs of 5th to 10th-grade students, focusing on conversational skills and exam preparation, which significantly improved students' language placement results.
- Created and implemented interactive summer and winter workshops based on classic literature to enhance comprehension and critical thinking skills, engaging groups of up to 20 students in dynamic learning experiences.
- Applied diverse instructional strategies to cater to different learning styles and language proficiency levels, fostering an inclusive and adaptable learning environment.
Education
M.S., Instructional Design & Technology • CSU Monterey Bay • 2023
- This program specialized in using adult learning theories and instructional models like ADDIE and SAM, with the practical application of project management skills to produce e-learning content.
- We practiced lessons using tools such as Articulate 360, Adobe Captivate, Adobe CC, and Camtasia.
- The program included a summer internship for an outside client. My client was the U.S. Navy Fleet Readiness program. My team contributed to creating an apprentice program for ship based radar technicians.
- and for my current employer to produce a prototype online training module.
CELTA ESL Teaching Certificate • International House, Bangkok • 2011
- An intensive 1-month training program on adult learning theory in the ESL context.
- Daily morning sessions covered instructional theory, roleplay, and lesson planning.
- Daily afternoon sessions involved live teaching to live groups of 15 - 20 students, both giving or observing the lessons on alternate days.
- Daily evening sessions involved giving and accepting peer review of our teaching practice sessions.
B.A. Urban Studies • San Francisco State University • 2005 - 2008
Concentrated on urban planning and sustainable development in California. The program finished with internships at the SF Department of Urban Planning and the Public Research Institute, focusing on policy analysis and applied research.
Technical skills
Learning Management Systems: Canvas, TalentLMS
Instructional Design Tools: Articulate Storyline & Rise, Camtasia
Graphic Design Software: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere pro
Generative AI Tools: (ChatGPT, Eleven Labs, Synthesia)
Productivity Tools: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Microsoft office, Slack, Zoom, Smartsheet
Stakeholder Coordination and Project Leadership: Leading cross-functional teams in educational settings
Accessibility skills and tools: Experience designing using UDL (Universal Design for Learning) principles and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in my masters program content. I also have experience adapting learning experiences for users with a variety of sensory or physical disabilities.
Feedback and evaluation: Developed measurement tools corresponding to Kirkpatrick’s levels of training evaluation, gathering feedback and data on performance from program participants, staff, and instructors
Cultural sensitivity and adaptability: I have spent several years living in other cultures and working with diverse populations. I have an understanding and respect for adapting learning experiences and content for learners' backgrounds.