Designing effective learning experiences has always been Ceema Picardo’s way to make a difference. Through her career, she’s equipped communities with new skills, and she plans to expand her impact after earning her Master of Science in instructional design and technology this May.
Originally from Mumbai, India, Picardo came to the United States with a clear goal.
“I wanted to join a program that was very similar to my career as a learning and development manager, where I was creating content for an entire learning experience,” Picardo said.
Her experience in instructional design grew out of an unexpected place: YouTube. She taught English as a second language to those in an Asian, pan-Indian context on a channel with more than eight million subscribers.
“Initially, the entire process of creating content was just about standing in front of the camera and making a video. But soon I was learning new things. I was figuring out what the audience liked, what kind of content resonated with them,” Picardo said. “At the end of the day, my passion stemmed from the fact that I could create relevant content and package it in a way that made learning fun.”
Her subsequent move into learning and development management led her to Trevecca after exploring multiple universities with no success. She spoke with Dr. Lametrius Daniels, program director, and found a degree that was in line with her current work, enhancing her ability to create a comprehensive learning experience that keeps the learner at the forefront of every decision.
Picardo is attending Trevecca through the International Executive Studies program, which is designed for international students living in the United States with an F-1 visa. This program combines online learning with an on-campus residency and offers multiple degree options to help students advance their careers while studying in the U.S.
One of the most meaningful parts of her experience so far has been learning alongside others who share that same passion.
“We discuss our assignments and how we approach problems; it's those conversations that get us thinking about the different ways to bring out the best in learning design,” Picardo said. “Sometimes we work together as a team to find solutions to various instructional design problems. When there's an assignment that requires us to have discussion, it reveals to us what we don’t know and we all learn from each other and from our mistakes.”
She will be finishing out her degree with a capstone project that has brought the program’s practical focus into full view, creating a website that highlights the mission and vision of an organization called Parents Step Ahead. Their goal is to empower parents, specifically in minority communities, with the tools to advocate for their children in the complexities of education and personal development.
“I get to use all the multimedia tools that are part of our learning design program and I'm able to really make that project as interesting as I think it should be,” Picardo said. “I’m using Storyline, gamification tools and Articulate Rise to create interactive courses.”
Many of the skills she’s applying have emerged from courses that reshaped her approach to learning and design. There is a special emphasis on backward design thinking and asking, ‘How do you create a learning experience with the learner at the crux of everything that you do?’ She also discovered the power of gamification, having a foundation in coding and specialized project management tools.
“I'm having fun with the courses and this project, and it's helping me shape not only my career portfolio, but also my life in general,” Picardo said.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue growing as both a designer and entrepreneur, with an eventual goal of creating her own courses. From teaching English to equipping parents with valuable tools, she understands the power of engaging learning to make a global impact.