Need education based advice?
OR A FRESH SET OF EYES ON YOUR NEXT LEARNING OR TEACHING PROJECT?
HOW ABOUT A SPECIALIST IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE?
Need education based advice?
OR A FRESH SET OF EYES ON YOUR NEXT LEARNING OR TEACHING PROJECT?
HOW ABOUT A SPECIALIST IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE?
Need education based advice?
OR A FRESH SET OF EYES ON YOUR NEXT LEARNING OR TEACHING PROJECT?
HOW ABOUT A SPECIALIST IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE?
Maria’s ability to ‘see’ your project with a fresh lens is extraordinary.
She has collected evidence from classrooms across the world – from Europe and the Middle East, to Asia, the Pacific, North America, Scandinavia and, of course, her home country, Australia. Maria has also seen education from many different perspectives – not only as a teacher, teacher trainer, curriculum developer, instructional designer, examiner and education project manager, but also as a learner of six languages, cooking and golf skills, and three degree programs in languages, education and international relations.
Her experience also comes from working in international primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary learning environments, for small and large businesses, government and not for profits, and in humanitarian, and aid and development contexts. Her perspective is simply incomparable to other consultants in this space.
Maria has a unique way of working with diverse teams, and is renowned for her energy, enthusiasm and passion for turning lacklustre learning experiences into extraordinary opportunities for growth. Whatever your teaching and learning project, you can be guaranteed that working with Maria will give you incredible insights and extraordinary end products.
Work with me if...
- You have good learning content, but it needs a revamp.
- You have more content lurking in your archives, hard drives (or still stuck in your head!) that you should be doing more with.
- You don't have enough time or know-how to put it all together in a way that has the impact you know it can.
- You need a reliable team to help you pull it all together.
- You're feeling a bit disorganised or are constantly putting this project on the back burner.
- You know you can do it, you just need a gentle, flexible, friendly kick up the proverbial from someone who has done it hundreds of times already.
Don't work with me if...
- You’re a killer presenter who can engage an audience from 'go to whoa'.
- You’ve got a comprehensive range of best practice learning support materials like workbooks, assessment tools, surveys and teacher training resources.
- You don’t work well with someone giving you work to do and deadlines to get it done.
- You've got an awesome team of PAs, virtual assistants, instructional designers, graphic artists and producers ready to create best practice resources.
What makes me different?
Well, I’m not a tech-expert or HR person that fell into Learning and Development. I’ve been teaching, developing curriculum and training teachers internationally for more than 25 years. I’ve had 18 overseas postings and have worked (and been a learner) at all levels of education and training: primary, secondary, vocational, tertiary and post grad. I’ve worked with subject matter experts in fields as diverse as accounting to neuroscience and as a believer in life-long learning, I’m always enrolled in some kind of course be it more professional development, a women’s health course, cooking school or another language (I’m onto my 6th – Norwegian!).
It doesn’t matter what you’re learning, whether it’s formal or informal, corporate or social, face to face or online: I know what works and what doesn’t because I’m constantly looking for better ways to teach and learn. I’m a bonafide EdNerd, through and through.
If you're in the business of sharing expertise and knowledge, I'm in the business of making that happen in a way that creates extraordinary outcomes.
Ready to get started?
Here's what we can create, review or upgrade together:
quizzes, surveys, questionnaires or needs analysis tools
outcomes based presentations, tutorials or video based training for face to face, online and blended learning environments
interactive online courses built in SCORM compliant format (using the Articulate suite)
trust building articles, books or teacher training resources
workbooks, tape-scripts and audio-recordings
The best way to do that?
It is to make sure we follow best practice adult learning principles, which in short, include the four stages below:
Stage 1: Design Your Suite of Products
Can you answer these questions? →
How are they delivered?
What can the learners expect?
Are you catering for different learning styles?
Do you have a complete user experience plan?
Stage 2: Refresh your Curriculum
Can you answer these questions? →
How does the content help them achieve outcomes? What tasks and examples help do this?
How will you motivate them to complete the learning content?
Stage 3: Update Your Learning Resources
Can you answer these questions? →
Are they the right ‘tone’, length and complexity?
Are you certain your materials are NOT ‘tick and flick’ or ‘death by powerpoint’?
Stage 4: Review your Content
Can you answer these questions? →
Are you processing and addressing the suggestions you receive?
Do you have timelines in place for minor reviews and major overhauls?
Need a tailored solution? No problem!
We can work on whatever your organisation needs.
Let me explain my overall philosophy in a little more detail.
There are four main stages to creating extraordinary learning resources.
We’ll work together – from wherever you’re at – to ensure the project is completed on time, on budget, and does exactly the job you need it to. The four videos below explain more about the 4 stages and exactly why they’re so important.
What do you get when you work with me?
Personalised Action Plan
For moving forward with your content and task planning and creation. No more confusion, overwhelm and stress regarding what to do next, or how to go about creating a learning experience that you KNOW is going to be extraordinary.
A mentor who cares
Helping others OUT of their overwhelm and into a calm, organised, RELIEVED headspace, while we create extraordinary learning experiences, is what I excel at – my clients refer to me as a cheerleader for content creation – I’m there every step of the way – especially when the going gets tough!
A team of professionals
I’ve spent the past 13 years building a team of professionals I know, like and trust – so whether you need copy-editing, graphic design, video editing, legal or web development, I have professionals I will work with, to get your project done RIGHT the first time.
Relief
You get to hand all the organising and systemising over to someone who (nerd alert!) loves doing that stuff and know that it’s going to come back as a cohesive learning experience that produces raving clients.
Confidence
Know your learning materials are 5 star quality. Know you have the skills to deliver it well. Start falling back in love with what you do – the content, how it can change lives, and getting that message out there to the people who need it the most.
Focus
Stop second guessing yourself and stressing out about what you should be doing next. Start focusing on creating awesome content (which you’re best at doing anyway).
Maria brings a wealth of international education and training experience
I have worked closely with Maria over the past 18 months in my role as Registered Training Organisation Manager. Maria has worked with the organisation over this time on various learning resource development projects, and specifically with our Learning & Organisational Development department over a 4 month period.During her time working with our department, Maria has created online professional development modules of self directed learning for our trainers, focusing on best practice teaching and feedback strategies. In that role Maria has worked with our team to create an engaging and solid curriculum, tailored to the needs of our training staff and produced a set of high quality learning materials including interactive online learning modules, workbooks and teacher training guides. During this time Maria met all timelines, maintained strong long lines of communication and was able to keep our team on task and motivated.
The resources have been piloted by a multi-cultural group of staff, who have challenged the content and nature of the assessment tasks; Maria has worked alongside these staff members to create highly positive outcomes and the changes in staff performance as a result is testimony to her ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders. Maria is able to overcome the obstacles of distance and I personally often felt that when communicating with her in a digital environment that she was right in the room with me, such is her down to earth nature and communication skills.
Maria brings a wealth of international education and training experience, flexibility, a good sense of humour and a commitment to produce the highest quality products possible.
Organisations I've worked with
- All
- Universities / Colleges / Schools
- Corporates
- Government Organisations
- Not For Profits
- Small Business / Thought Leaders
Every project is different, so every quote is tailored directly to what your organisation needs.
Need some specific examples?
I worked with Debbie and her team to create an 8 part animated video series from a 25 page policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs, for a large, state wide government department.
Full of energy, accurate and engaging
As the project manager for the Alcohol and Other Drugs management policy implementation project I chose Maria to work with because during our initial meeting she claimed to be highly motivated, professional and passionate about her work. The project has now been completed and Maria was true to her word, she was full of energy and ideas and clearly loved the work she did which resulted in an educational package which is accurate, engaging and suitable for a diverse audience of over 30,000 people.
Ready to get started?
Let’s talk practicalities. You can work with me on any of the 4 stages of learning materials development. It’s like having an L&D expert on call, without having to go through the rigmarole of employing someone on a long term basis. We can work on any or all of the following stages intensively, or at your own speed.
Stage 1: Design Your Product
Stage 2: Write your Curriculum
Stage 3: Build Your Resources
Stage 4: Review your Content
It’s best to work in packages that combine only the parts of each stage that your organisation needs – regardless of whether you’re creating a course from scratch, or revamping an existing course. Phased packages and deliverables can be tailored to suit your specific organisation’s needs (NB: below are sample packages only).
Deliverables
- A complete user experience plan for your learning products including (but not limited to)
- What learning materials will be provided (including practical tasks and assessments if required)
- How the course works in terms of support, facilitation, inclusions, cost, learning resources
- A list of features required to deliver the learning experience which will help inform the platform or software required
- Human resources required to fulfil the learning resource creation tasks, including contact details for appropriate contractors
- Pre-, Mid- and Post-Course Review Questionnaires
- Curriculum Map Template including:
- The list of intended modules that will be delivered
- Personalised best practice module structure to suit your target audience needs: pain points, outcomes, theory, demonstrations, practical activities and resources guide
- One module mapped out according to the agreed structure
Deliverables
- Curriculum Mapping
- A fully worked version of the Curriculum Map: A personalised document which will provide an overall structure (the 'birds eye view') of the learning content including (but not limited to)
- Lesson Plans completed in depth, covering what the pain-points, outcomes, theory, demonstrations, practical activities will be
- Alignment to a competency (or industry standards) framework if required
- Resource Mapping:
- One full module built out: we work together to develop one complete module. You bring the content, I bring the educational background to make your content as engaging, motivating and user friendly as possible. The content will be reviewed and recommendations made to improve the structure and/or delivery.
| You provide: | I provide: |
|---|---|
|
Base learning content (theory) as slides or script
|
Base learning content (theory) as slides or script
|
|
Draft video (maximum 30 minutes)
|
Video feedback (length, structure, delivery) Workbook questions Assessment or quiz questions |
| You provide | I provide |
|---|---|
|
Base learning content (theory) as slides or script |
Best practice structure and sequencing |
|
Draft video (maximum 30 minutes)
|
Video feedback (length, structure, delivery)
|
- Quote for moving forward depending on what products or parts of the process you’d like help with:
- Graphic design
- Online module creation
- Workbook development
- Assessment development
- Teacher training manuals
- Mentoring, accountability and support for the DIYers
- Review services
Comprehensive Learning Product Review Service
- Initial consult:
- Identify known SWOT regarding the learning resources that currently exist (including previous review feedback or testimonials)
- Identify target audience and intended outcomes
- Learning Resources Recommendations including but not limited to:
- Expectations of the learning experience
- Curriculum structure
- Delivery methods
- Opportunities for Additional Learning Resources (inclusion of additional resources such as templates, guides, diagnostics etc)
Prefer to DIY with mentoring support?
View our ongoing coaching option below.
For those who need accountability and an on call L&D Consultant to guide you through the learning resources creation process, whichever stage you’re working on. Monthly packages include:
- Weekly coaching sessions to assess progress and set weekly goals
- Review and feedback on learning materials, including ‘done for you’ services as required
- Email and phone access as required (within reason)
Not sure what you need?
All good. Sometimes you just need a few hours of strategic planning, sometimes you need a short-term consultant to manage a project. I hear you.
Book your Complimentary 30 minute Strategy Session so I can help you move forward with your content and delivery plans.
Every client is different, every solution is different.
Impeccable approach ... an exceptionally high standard of work
Maria is effervescent, passionate and energetic with the resilience to focus tirelessly until the job is done. She is a compassionate person who considers issues and challenges from a holistic perspective ensuring outcomes and decisions are inclusive of all stakeholders. Maria’s impeccable approach and keen attention to detail culminates in an exceptionally high standard of work in terms of presentation and output.
I worked with Tony and his team to bring some pizazz to a week long professional development and strategy conference for the managers of Cash Converters, a national company.
I would highly recommend... an absolute pleasure to work with
What a Sensational Session!!!Maria presented an empowering session on “Presentations that Engage, Inspire and Motivate” to both my HR team and National Operational leaders. The value was unanimous and all participants, including myself, were impressed with the delivery, structure and excitement created by Maria. All participants regularly develop and deliver presentations on a day-to-day basis and at the end of this session, all participants were able to identify a number of opportunities to improve and enhance the quality of training and presentations being delivered within the business.
So if you need to re-energise and empower your HR team or Business leaders to become better presenters, even if they have been doing it for years, then I would highly recommend Maria and this workshop.
Thank you Maria for being so effective in your delivery and an absolute pleasure to work with – I will certainly look forward to booking you again.
In short, learning and education lights me up - and that's what it should do for your learners too. Ready to get started?
In short, learning and education lights me up - and that's what it should do for your learners too. Ready to get started?