Classes Overview

 
 

Student: Jessica Newlin

Painting from Nature (Part A&B)

  • Client/Partner (RISD.edu)

  • Date(s) (2021-present)

  • Format (online)

  • Audience (adults, introductory-advanced, students located worldwide)

  • Purpose (The “Painting from Nature” course is a two-part, sequential offering in RISD’s Natural Science Illustration certificate. Part A introduces foundational observational drawing and painting techniques in color media, while Part B builds on these skills to achieve greater accuracy and detail—preparing illustrators for scientifically precise and aesthetically compelling representation of natural subjects. Participants develop the visual and technical fluency necessary to document nature with both artistic sensibility and scientific integrity.)

    Role & Responsibilities

    • Roles Instructional Designer, Curriculum Developer, Lead Facilitator

    • Scope of work (design, development, facilitation, media creation)

    • Collaboration (all content was reviewed by RISD staff, research-based format and content, partnered with several living artists for content development)

    Learning Experience Design

    • Instructional strategy (ADDIE, backward design, behavior change models)

    • Content formats (curriculum, quizzes, videos, portfolio review, assessments, live workshops, discussion boards)

    • Tools used (Canvas, Adobe Rush, Canva, Zoom)

    • Global/cultural considerations (wide range of artist chosen to give greater exposure to heritage and cultural impact in nature illustration)

 

Workforce Ready (Job Training)

  • Client/Partner (NCWorks, funded by grants from Spectrum and NCDIT)

  • Date(s) (2024-present)

  • Format (online/inperson)

  • Audience (adults, introductory-advanced, students located worldwide)

  • Purpose (A recurring free digital skills workshop series designed to boost workforce readiness across Guilford County. Participants gain hands‑on familiarity with essential technologies—ranging from email and spreadsheets to cybersecurity, cloud computing, digital marketing, and AI—culminating in a digital certificate upon completion

    Each session emphasizes practical, in-demand competencies that enhance employability and support career transitions in a rapidly evolving job market—highlighting that over 90 % of jobs require digital skills, and digitally proficient workers often earn 23 % more than those without those skills)

    Role & Responsibilities

    • Roles Instructional Designer, Curriculum Developer, Lead Facilitator

    • Scope of work (design, development, facilitation, media creation)

    • Collaboration (all content research-based, partnered with NC Extension agents for content development)

    Learning Experience Design

    • Instructional strategy (ADDIE, backward design, behavior change models)

    • Content formats (curriculum, quizzes, videos, assessments, live workshops, discussion boards)

    • Tools used (Google Suite, Canva, Zoom)

 

Art&AI

Art & AI

  • Client/Partner (Guilford County, HighPoint Public Library)

  • Date(s) (2024-present)

  • Format (online/inperson)

  • Audience (adults, introductory-advanced, students located worldwide)

  • Purpose (a free, program offered in person in partnership with the High Point Public Library and available online, designed to introduce participants of all ages to creative applications of artificial intelligence. Sessions were held monthly and blended hands-on art activities with accessible AI tools, fostering digital literacy and artistic exploration. Topics included AI-assisted poetry writing (Poetic Machines), collaborative storytelling with predictive text (StorySpinners), AI-powered book cover design (Cover Remix), and seasonal projects such as AI-generated holiday cards and stories (Generative Joy). The series was fully accessible to beginners, emphasizing creativity, community engagement, and practical skill-building in emerging technologies.)

    Role & Responsibilities

    • Roles Instructional Designer, Curriculum Developer, Lead Facilitator

    • Scope of work (design, development, facilitation, media creation)

    • Collaboration (all content research-based, partnered with NC Extension agents for content development)

    Learning Experience Design

    • Instructional strategy (ADDIE, backward design, behavior change models)

    • Content formats (curriculum, quizzes, videos, assessments, live workshops, discussion boards)

    • Tools used (Google Suite, Canva, Zoom)