Chris Dickman

Chris initially became involved with SCPS through teaching a writing course, bringing his background in writing and online learning into play. This led to his current role teaching instructional design courses, including the introductory and capstone courses, providing students with essential skills in this evolving field. 

Chris highlights how working with adult learners at SCPS has been a refreshing experience. He appreciates the unique perspectives they bring, as many have already navigated the professional world and understand the direct impact education can have on their careers. Adult learners often have a clear sense of how education can help them succeed in the workplace, which makes teaching them especially rewarding. 

In the Instructional Design program, Chris sees his students using their education to "level up" in their careers. He has helped students navigate career transitions, teaching them how to apply instructional design skills in a variety of fields. He emphasizes that even if students don't go on to hold positions specifically titled "instructional designer," the skills they gain—such as critical thinking, project management, and information sharing—are valuable across numerous professions. 

“The skills the instructional design program offers are useful for any number of positions where you'd need to share information or teach in a structured kind of way. It's a great framework for developing critical thinking about sharing information with others. There's some specific tactics and strategies, but at the core it is developing skills to share information and do it well.” 

Chris also sees creativity as a welcome element in instructional design, noting that while some students may be more focused on planning and management, others with backgrounds in graphic design or creative fields find outlets for their talents. Tools like Articulate Rise 360, which allows for a mix of themes and graphics, are particularly intriguing for creatively inclined students. 

Chris emphasizes SCPS's understanding and flexibility when it comes to balancing education with the many demands that adult learners face. He strives to support student success by being adaptable and recognizing the challenges they encounter as they juggle education, work, and life responsibilities. His involvement in creating Loyola’s Online Teaching Fundamentals course—a major instructional design project—reflects his ongoing contributions to both SCPS and the broader university community. 

“Instructors understand that coming back to school is a challenge and that there is a need to be flexible with students here in our program. We have a student’s success as number one in our mind.”