The “why”
Multiple Means of Engagement
I design options for interest, relevance and persistence: learner choice, coaching feedback, self-paced paths and clear progress, so people stay with the work.
Learning Design & Enablement · MSIDT
Learning that changes what people do.
I'm David Gonzales, an instructional designer and L&D leader with 15+ years of training, facilitation and program leadership. I design scalable, measurable learning, and I help teams build real AI capability.
Approach
Start with the behavior, work backward.
I define what success looks like on the job, then design the practice, feedback and support that get people there, and measure whether it happened.
01
Backward design + ADDIE
Needs and audience analysis, objectives built on Bloom's Taxonomy, then design, development, implementation and evaluation, so every module serves an outcome.
02
Design Thinking & practice
Learner-centered, scenario-based activities with immediate coaching, grounded in adult learning theory and tested with real learners.
03
Reusable & scalable
Certificate module series, job aids and templates built once and reused across cohorts of 100–350+ people.
04
Measured against impact
Program metrics tied to what the business needs, like moving shift compliance from 60% to 91% to meet client targets.
05
AI-enabled design
Credentialed in Generative AI for L&D, using AI authoring tools like Mindsmith and Claude Design to build faster and personalize learning.
06
Facilitation & leadership
From Disney Imagination Campus programs to LAUSD leadership training, I lead the room as well as design for it.
Universal Design for Learning
Design for variability, not the average learner.
I use CAST’s UDL Guidelines 3.0 alongside ADDIE and backward design. The three principles give every learner more than one way in.
The “what”
Multiple Means of Representation
I present content in more than one form: text, visuals with alt text, audio, interactive diagrams and downloadable job aids, so information is perceivable.
The “how”
Multiple Means of Action & Expression
I give more than one way to practice and show learning: drag or click, write or choose, worksheets alongside on-screen tasks, and keyboard-friendly controls.
Featured work
Selected learning experiences
Interactive eLearning, scenario-based practice and microlearning. Select a cover for a quick preview, or launch the full project in a new tab.
Job Description Coach
A scenario-based practice activity: learners name their own industry, the activity tailors three job postings to it, and they judge each as strong or weak with immediate coaching on why.
UDL in action · Engagement · Action & Expression. Learners name their own industry (choice and relevance), then judge postings and write why, with immediate coaching.
Building Your Resume & CV
A COPE Health Scholars career-readiness training module that records each learner's name and completion for the program team.
UDL in action · Engagement · Representation · Action & Expression. Self-paced Adapt course with page progress and completion tracking, mixed formats (text, graphics with alt text, accordion, narrative, hotspots, matching and MCQ), plus downloadable worksheets.
Job Analysis Drag Match
A drag-and-drop knowledge check that sorts job details into the parts of a job analysis, with hints, scoring, coach feedback and a click/keyboard alternative to dragging.
UDL in action · Action & Expression · Engagement. Drag-and-drop or an accessible click/keyboard alternative, plus hints, scoring and coach feedback.
Job Analysis for Small to Medium Sized Businesses
An eLearning module that walks small and medium-sized business owners through job analysis.
UDL in action · Representation · Engagement. Storyline module pairing on-screen visuals with narration audio, navigated at the learner’s own pace.
Locating a Book at the Library
An interactive Storyline module teaching learners how to use the online catalog to locate a library book.
UDL in action · Representation · Engagement. Storyline module pairing on-screen visuals with narration audio, navigated at the learner’s own pace.
Pour-over Coffee
A scrollable Rise 360 microlearning course that teaches the pour-over coffee brewing process.
UDL in action · Representation · Engagement. Rise 360 microlearning that pairs scrollable text and images with audio narration, at the learner’s own pace.
Case study
Read the case studyDesigning this portfolio
The full design document behind this site, from needs analysis to evaluation plan.
Leadership & training impact
Results that show up on the job
350+COPE Health Scholars developed through the in-house certificate modules I designed
60→91%Participant shift compliance, raised to meet contractual client metrics
100+LAUSD colleagues trained and evaluated each quarter on leadership and quality
200+Staff onboarded and supported as Director of Programs
- Mar 2026 – Present
COPE Health Solutions · Health Scholars
Workforce Development Program Manager & Career CoachDesigned the training and module series behind COPE Health Scholars' in-house certificates. I run quarterly training for a 200-participant program and turn program data into impact reporting for the client.
- Dec 2022 – Feb 2026
The Walt Disney Company · Disneyland Resort
Guest Talent Coordinator / Pre-Production SpecialistPresented "The Technology of Disney Parks" for Disney Imagination Campus and co-facilitated performing arts workshops with Disney Teaching Artists, adapting delivery in real time.
- Apr 2021 – Dec 2022
Boys & Girls Club of the West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside
Director of ProgramsBuilt ADDIE-based staff training and job aids for contingency thinking, onboarded and supported 200+ staff, and raised club awareness by 35%.
- Sep 2007 – Jun 2021
Los Angeles Unified School District
Area Program SupervisorTrained 100+ colleagues quarterly on leadership, conflict resolution and quality observation. I also oversaw 20+ school programs with 25,000+ yearly attendance.
AI in L&D
Building AI capability, not just using AI
Credentials
- Academic Applications of AI (AAAI) The California State University · Feb 2026
- Generative AI for Learning & Development Professional Certificate LinkedIn Learning · Mar 2025
- Build AI Literacy in Your Organization as a Business Leader LinkedIn Learning · Mar 2025
- A Practical Guide to Upskilling Your Organization on AI LinkedIn Learning · Mar 2025
- Using Gen AI to Develop Personalized Learning Plans LinkedIn Learning · Mar 2025
- The Future of Workforce Learning: AI-Powered Personalization LinkedIn Learning · Mar 2025
- Generative AI in Learning and Development LinkedIn Learning · Mar 2025
- Adobe Certified Associate, Video Communication Using Premiere Pro Adobe · 2016
Toolkit
- Mindsmith
- Claude Design
- Articulate Storyline 360
- Articulate Rise 360
- Adapt LMS
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Canva
- Microsoft Office
Frameworks
- ADDIE
- Backward design
- Design Thinking
- Bloom's Taxonomy
- Adult learning theory
- Situational Leadership
Résumé
The full story, in two pages.
MS Instructional Design & Technology, CSU Fullerton (2026) · BA Organizational Leadership, UMass Global (2024)
Contact
Let's build learning that moves the needle.
I'm open to learning design, enablement and L&D leadership roles, remote or in Southern California.