Gary Bartanus
AI-Powered Instructional Designer
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Award-winning instructional designer with 10+ years of experience creating engaging, AI-powered, cross-platform learning solutions for healthcare, higher education, and corporate audiences. Skilled in AI content generation (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, MidJourney, HeyGen, Synthesia, Veo 3, Sora), prompt engineering, and designing interactive simulations, assessments, and microlearning experiences. Adept at iframe integration, responsive design, SCORM/xAPI packaging, and optimizing content through A/B testing, technical SEO, and learner analytics. Proven record of innovation and impact—achieving a 98.6% completion rate, a national award for Learning Design Excellence, and measurable efficiency gains through AI workflow automation.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Instructional Design | Adult Learning Theory | Constructivist & Competency-Based Pedagogies
- Scenario-Based & Project-Based Learning | Experiential & Collaborative Learning
- Accessibility (WCAG) | Universal Design for Learning (UDL) | Inclusive & Culturally Responsive Design
- AI-Powered eLearning | Multimedia Production | Green Screen Video | Storytelling
- LMS & Tech Integration | UX/UI Design | Micro-Credentials | SCORM | Digital Badges
- Agile Project Management | Stakeholder Collaboration | Needs Analysis | Assessment Strategy
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER - Healthcare (remote/temporary full time)
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Jul 2023 – Apr 2025
- Collaborated closely with SMEs and internal teams to develop asynchronous/synchronous eLearning aligned with DEI, UDL, and healthcare compliance.
- Created macros & AI-enhanced training videos to save staff hours and improve accessibility.
- Applied Agile workflow to streamline development, reduce errors, and meet tight deadlines.
PROFESSIONAL ENRICHMENT & LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES EXPLORATION (temporary full time)
Self-directed Learning
May 2022 – Jul 2023
Note: I used the year between roles to advance my education and volunteer in the field, gaining fresh skills and perspectives to apply in my next position.
- Completed advanced training in Storyline, Camtasia, Premiere Pro, and eLearning AI tools.
- Participated in learning science workshops and design-focused webinars.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR – Corporate Training (hybrid/remote full time)
First West Credit Union
Aug 2018 – May 2022
- Co-designed award-winning Federal Continuance course (98.6% completion, national award).
- Partnered with DEI strategist Alden Habacon to create inclusive workplace training.
- Produced high-impact videos (green screen, live-action) to increase course engagement.
- Revitalized legacy courses with interactive media, immersive branching scenarios, and AI tools.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER – Higher Education (full time contract)
Royal Roads University
Mar 2017 – Aug 2018
- Designed online courses using UDL and learning science principles.
- Co-created a crisis simulation using secure, emulated social media.
- Supported faculty with distance education best practices and tech integration.
BLENDED LEARNING DESIGNER / EFL INSTRUCTOR – Higher Education (full time contract)
Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
Mar 2010 – Mar 2017
- Created multimedia-rich English courses (Writing, Public Speaking).
- Led blended learning projects; received 3 Teaching Excellence Awards.
- Promoted digital literacy via storytelling, gamification, and collaborative tools.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
eLearning Tools: Articulate Storyline & Rise, Camtasia, Adobe Captivate, H5P, Padlet
LMS: Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, TalentLMS, LearnUpon
Multimedia: Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Audition), Audacity, Canva
AI Tools: ChatGPT, Synthesia, ElevenLabs, DALL·E, HeyGen, Gemini, Envato Elements
Web Design: WordPress, HTML5, CSS, Divi, Notion
Assessment Tools: SCORM, Kahoot!, Socrative, Mentimeter, Microsoft 365
Collab Tools: MS Teams, Zoom, Slack, Trello, Asana
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Master of Educational Technology (MET) – University of British Columbia (GPA 92.9%)
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) – Burman University (GPA 3.55)
Certifications: AI-Powered Instructional Design, Instructional Skills Workshop, Facilitating Learning Online
NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS
- Certified AI-Powered Instructional Design Professional, LearnWorlds, July 2025.
- Led the opening presentation on Multigenerational Housing: Affordable Aging in Place at the 2025 Island Health Code Hack.
- Pioneered AI-powered multimedia tools and macro automation in healthcare training, significantly improving eLearning accessibility, efficiency, and learner engagement.
- Designed a financial compliance course, resulting in an exceptional 98.6% learner completion rate.
- Innovated and launched a blended multimedia writing course; concurrently directed Hanyang University's English Film Festival, promoting digital literacy and creative expression.
- Developed "Spot the Bot," an AI literacy quiz built using Articulate Storyline.
- Presented on Green Screen techniques for eLearning at the Digital Media in Education Conference.
AWARDS
- National Award for Learning Design Excellence – Canadian Credit Union Association (2022)
- 3× Teaching Excellence Awards – Hanyang University (2013, 2015, 2016)
- Louise McKinney Post-secondary Scholarship – Alberta Advanced Education
SEE FOR YOURSELF
(at ai4coursedev.ca)
Working course samples, AI-enhanced interactive videos, branching scenarios, case studies, testimonials, and results that sparkle like my 24-carat gold front tooth – #11 incisor, for the number-crunchers among us.
Experience "Spot the Bot" (AI literacy quiz): ai4coursedev.ca/spotbot
Gary Bartanus
AI-Powered Instructional Designer
Key Accomplishments
Exceptional Completion Rate
Designed a financial compliance course with a 98.6% learner completion rate, showcasing expertise in creating engaging and effective content.
National Award Winner
Co-designed the award-winning Federal Continuance course, recognized with a National Award for Learning Design Excellence.
Pioneering AI in Healthcare
Pioneered AI-powered multimedia tools and macro automation to significantly improve efficiency and engagement in healthcare training.
"Spot the Bot" Quiz
Developed an interactive AI literacy quiz built using Articulate Storyline to educate learners on AI concepts.
Experience the DemoAI & eLearning Expertise
✨ AI Tools in Action
Applied skills in content generation and prompt engineering using a wide range of cutting-edge AI tools.
💻 eLearning & Multimedia
Designed immersive learning experiences with advanced platforms and techniques.
See More of My Work
Explore case studies, testimonials, and course samples on my portfolio.
Visit PortfolioGary Bartanus
A Career in Learning Innovation
This infographic visualizes the professional journey of Gary Bartanus, an award-winning instructional designer. It traces his evolution from a corporate trainer to a leading expert in AI-powered learning solutions, highlighting key roles, skill development, and significant achievements since 2007.
Evolution of Skills
This chart illustrates the strategic shift in Gary's core competencies over three distinct career phases. It shows a consistent foundation in pedagogy and writing, with a significant recent pivot towards advanced AI and simulation technologies, reflecting his adaptation to industry trends.
Key Achievements & Impact
98.6%
Completion Rate
Achieved for "Federal Continuance Employee Training" at First West Credit Union.
4
Major Awards
Recognized for excellence in both learning design and teaching.
12+
Years of Experience
A deep history of professional practice in education and technology, beginning in 2007.
Areas of Expertise
Core Competencies
This pie chart shows the percentage of time spent in each industry. Click on a slice to learn more.
Current Focus: AI Design Process
His current freelance and consulting work utilizes a sophisticated workflow that blends traditional instructional design principles with modern AI tools. This process enables rapid development of highly engaging and effective learning experiences.
Career Timeline
2023 - Present
AI-Powered Learning Designer
Freelance & Consulting
Launched a consultancy focused on integrating generative AI into instructional design, developing cutting-edge learning materials, and engineering effective prompts for clients in various sectors.
2019 - 2023
Instructional Designer
Provincial Health Services Authority
Designed and developed critical clinical education for healthcare professionals. Specialized in creating high-fidelity simulations, exploring VR/AR applications, and implementing blended learning strategies.
2017 - 2019
Learning & Development Adviser
First West Credit Union
Created financial compliance and software training for a corporate audience. Achieved a benchmark 98.6% course completion rate and contributed to a project that won a national award.
2010 - 2016
Professor of Multimedia Writing & Public Speaking
Hanyang University, South Korea
Taught academic writing, business communication, and film studies. Earned three Teaching Excellence Awards while concurrently completing a Master of Educational Technology degree from UBC.
2007-2010
Corporate Communications Trainer
Samsung SDS, South Korea
Delivered corporate training to professionals in Seoul, building a strong foundation in adult learning principles and cross-cultural communication within a fast-paced technology environment.
Education
Master's Degree
University of British Columbia
Master of Educational Technology
Bachelor's Degree
Burman University, Alberta
Bachelor of Education
Radical Transformation
"Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." - Luke 7:47
1. The Anatomy of a Persecutor
Before his transformation, Saul of Tarsus was not merely a passive objector; he was an engine of destruction against the early Christian church. Fueled by a zealous but misplaced devotion, he believed he was serving God by eradicating what he saw as heresy. The data of his life reveals a man "exceedingly mad" against the faith, whose actions were characterized by intense hatred and violence.
He breathed out "threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1), actively participating in their imprisonment and death.
2. The Divine Intervention: A Process of Change
Change did not come from self-improvement or philosophical reasoning. It was a direct, sovereign, and overwhelming encounter with the very One he was persecuting. The journey to Damascus became a collision with divine grace, following a clear and humbling process that stripped away Saul's pride and replaced it with a new purpose.
1. Mission of Hate
Saul travels to Damascus with authority to arrest Christians.
2. Blinding Encounter
A light from heaven flashes, and Jesus asks, "Why are you persecuting Me?"
3. Humble Obedience
Blinded and humbled, Saul is led into the city to await instruction.
4. Grace Extended
The disciple Ananias, sent by God, lays hands on Saul.
5. Radical Rebirth
Saul regains his sight, is filled with the Holy Spirit, and is baptized.
3. The Forgiveness Equation
The depth of Saul's sin was met with an even greater measure of grace. This is the core principle: the awareness of being forgiven for so much cultivates a profound and proportionate love. His self-righteousness was shattered and replaced by a deep humility and gratitude. The comparison between his life before and after this event is stark, showing a complete reversal of character and motivation.
"Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" (Romans 5:20). Paul's life became a living testament to this truth, as his former vices were transformed into virtues.
4. The Outflow of Gratitude
Having identified himself as the "chief of sinners" who received mercy, Paul's subsequent life was not one of quiet contemplation but of explosive, joyful service. His ministry was not a duty to earn favor, but a debt of love he was eager to repay. The sheer volume of his work—the letters, the church planting, the relentless travel, and the joyful endurance of suffering—was the natural result of a heart overflowing with thankfulness for his immense pardon.
"For the love of Christ compels us..." (2 Corinthians 5:14). This compulsion was the engine of his apostolic zeal.
5. The Universal Principle of Redemption
Paul's story is the ultimate case study for a universal spiritual law. A true understanding of one's own depravity, followed by the experience of undeserved forgiveness, is the catalyst for the most profound love and dedicated service. It is a cycle of grace that transforms the heart from stone to flesh and redirects a life's entire trajectory.
Awareness of Sin
Receiving Forgiveness
Overwhelming Gratitude
Compelling Love & Service
From Persecutor to Apostle
An interactive exploration of radical change, based on the principle that one who is forgiven much, loves much.
"Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." - Luke 7:47
Phase 1: Profile of a Persecutor
This section explores the initial state of Saul of Tarsus. Before his transformation, Saul was a man driven by a fierce, but misguided, religious zeal. He believed he was defending God's law by violently persecuting the followers of Jesus. The chart to the right provides a visual representation of his primary characteristics during this period, quantifying the intensity of his actions and the pride that fueled them.
Key Characteristics:
- Exceedingly zealous for the law
- Breathed "threatenings and slaughter"
- Acted out of religious pride
Phase 2: The Transformation Dynamic
The turning point for Saul was not a gradual change of mind, but a sudden, divine encounter on the road to Damascus. This event fundamentally shattered his self-righteous worldview and initiated a profound transformation. The interactive chart below contrasts his state before and after this encounter, visualizing the dramatic shift from pride to humility, and from hatred to a compelling love fueled by the immense grace he received.
The Process of Change
1. Mission of Hate: Travels to Damascus to arrest Christians.
2. Divine Encounter: Confronted by the risen Jesus.
3. Humbling: Struck blind and led into the city.
4. Grace Extended: Healed and forgiven through Ananias.
5. New Identity: Baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Phase 3: The Apostle's Service
The final section reveals the outcome of Paul's transformation. Having been forgiven for so much, his life became an outpouring of grateful service. He no longer sought to destroy the church but to build it. This chart visualizes the "fruits" of his new life—a ministry characterized by tireless travel, profound teaching, and foundational church planting. Each element represents a portion of the "much love" he showed in response to the "much forgiveness" he received.
Key Quote:
"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died." - 2 Corinthians 5:14