Claudie
Massicotte, PhD

Learning Experience Designer

portrait by the sea

About me

I am a Learning Experience Designer with expertise in instructional design, curriculum development, and adult learning. My background spans higher education, global nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations

As a former professor and published scholar, I bring a research-driven, learner-centered approach to every project I design. I specialize in translating complex, interdisciplinary content into coherent and engaging learning experiences — whether delivered online, in person, or in hybrid formats. I partner closely with faculty and subject matter experts to develop curriculum that is rigorous, accessible, and aligned with meaningful learning outcomes.

My work is grounded in adult learning theory, backward design, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion in learning. I am particularly drawn to learning environments where education has real-world impact and where thoughtful design can shape not just what people know, but how they lead, create, and contribute to their communities.

My Approach to Learning Development

My approach blends strategic planning with human-centered design to create learning experiences that are both impactful and inclusive. I align each learning initiative with real business goals and learner needs, while fostering an engaging experience that resonates across diverse audiences. Below, I outline the core principles that guide my work:

Strategic, Data-Driven Design

Every program I design begins with a thorough needs analysis. I collaborate with stakeholders and subject-matter experts to understand business objectives, audience skills, and cultural context. Using data from prior trainings and learner feedback, I make informed decisions about objectives, content, and delivery methods. This data-informed strategy ensures each course aligns with organizational goals and produces measurable results.

Innovative Tools & Interactive Learning

I leverage industry-leading tools to create immersive, interactive training experiences. My development toolkit includes Articulate Storyline and Rise for course design, Synthesia for AI-driven video creation, and a range of visual communication tools—including Canva, Genially, and Photoshop—to bring content to life. I integrate these solutions with LMS platforms to deliver scalable, user-friendly learning. By embedding multimedia simulations, scenario-based learning, and gamified elements, I ensure every experience drives engagement and long-term retention.

Global Collaboration & Inclusive Learning

I thrive in cross-functional environments, partnering with stakeholders at all levels—from subject matter experts to IT teams and senior leadership—to develop learning solutions aligned with real business needs. Having managed international instructional design teams, I am adept at coordinating complex projects across time zones and cultural contexts. I also champion inclusive design practices, ensuring every program is accessible, culturally responsive, and equitable for remote and global learners.

Portfolio

Below are some recent projects for elearning and blended environments.

computer with image of wooden blocks and title Scenario-Based
Scenario-Based Learning
eLearning Scenario-Based Modules |
Articulate Storyline, Rise, Vyond, NotebookLM
Computer with image of game remote and title Gamified Learning
Gamified Learning for Team Building
Interactive Quiz and Virtual Game |
Articulate Storyline, Genially, Canva
Computer with image of building blocks and title Onboarding & Enablement
Onboarding and Enablement
LMS Customization Training for Instructional Designers building on Canvas |
Canvas LMS, html
Computer with image of apple and title Learning Theory
Learning Strategy & Theory
Interactive Modules and Images |
Articulate Rise, Synthesia, Genially

Books

Before becoming a learning designer, I worked as an Assistant Professor researching creativity, gender, and the history of psychology. My academic work explored how women have used unconventional forms of expression to challenge social norms and claim space for authorship, identity, and imagination.

Trance Speakers: Femininity and Authorship in Spiritual Séances, 1850-1930 (McGill-Queens University Press)

My first book, Trance Speakers (McGill-Queens University Press), looks at how women in nineteenth-century Canada used trance and spiritual communication to negotiate the limits of femininity and authorship. I explored how mediumship thus became a space of resistance and creative agency.

To write this work, I drew on historical archives and qualitative data analysis to trace recurring patterns across letters, photographs, and spiritualist publications—work that helped me uncover how women quietly reshaped public discourse through private practices.

Learn More
Cover of the book Trance Speakers

Hélène Smith: Occultism and the Discovery of the Unconscious (Oxford University Press)

My second book, Hélène Smith (Oxford University Press), focuses on a French-Swiss medium whose séances captivated early psychologists. Her imagined journeys to Mars and past lives helped shape new ideas about the unconscious mind and women's creative autonomy at the turn of the twentieth century.

In this work, I combined archival research with analysis of early psychological writing to examine how Hélène Smith’s case influenced emerging theories of creativity, dissociation, and cognitive identity—concepts that would later form the foundation of cognitive science. While rooted in historical inquiry, the project deepened my understanding of how mental models, memory, and narrative shape learning—insights that continue to inform my approach to instructional design today.

Learn More
Cover of the book Hélène Smith

Keep in touch

Email

claudie.massicotte@gmail.com

Address

San Francisco, California, 94115

Linkedin

linkedin.com/in/claudiemassicotte