Meet Mark Hoffman, an upcoming instructional designer and current student at IDOL Academy.

Mark is putting his skills to the test by developing an eLearning course for Kindred Life, a non-profit organization that provides support and mentorship to teen parents.

In recent conversation, Mark shared details about his project and the progress he's made so far. Kindred Life had identified a need to create more uniform and accessible training for their network of mentors across multiple locations. As a musician who has been making a living through playing and teaching, Mark was drawn to instructional design as a new career path that aligned with his strengths and interests.

"March of last year (2024) was the first time I had ever heard the term instructional design. I'd never heard of the field, but I was in a point where I was looking to undertake something new, and head in some new directions, and learn some new things," Mark explained.

Through his research, Mark discovered IDOL Academy and jumped into Cohort 18 to gain hands-on experience. For his internship, he reached out to Kindred Life, an organization he was already familiar with through his local church's support.

Mark has created an interactive prototype using tools like Lectora, Camtasia, and AI voice over from Eleven Labs. The course begins with a video overview of Kindred Life's mission and the role of mentors, then progresses into more immersive scenarios that allow learners to practice key skills. "It's definitely more on the interactive side," Mark shared. The training hones in on the mentors' goals and how to further connect with their mentees.

Mark has collaborated closely with Kindred Life's program directors and counselors to ensure the content is realistic and aligned with their practices. He's leveraged their existing training materials while also drawing on his own creativity to craft impactful learning experiences.

As Mark nears completion of the eLearning project, he's enthusiastic about the opportunity to make a difference. "It feels good to know that I'm supporting what they're doing and hopefully making a difference in the lives of some young people who really need a hand up," he shared.

Mark's dedication and the innovative eLearning solution he's developing for Kindred Life are a testament to the real-world impact IDOL Academy students can have. We look forward to seeing the final course and hearing more about Mark's instructional design journey.