JJ

Juli James

Where Instructional Design Meets Software Development

Game-based learning • Healthcare education • Entrepreneurship

View My Work Download CV

About

Instructional designer. Game developer. Educator. Entrepreneur.

For over 15 years, I've been building learning experiences that push boundaries - from interactive health literacy games to entrepreneur incubator programs to game design courses at UNT. I don't just design learning - I build the tools to deliver it.

I bring together instructional design frameworks (ADDIE, UDL, backward design) with technical development skills (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Canvas LMS) to create accessible, engaging learning experiences across healthcare, higher education, and entrepreneurship.

Currently supporting medical education at UNT Health Science Center while expanding my technical toolkit through a software engineering bootcamp and MicroMasters program. Always learning, always building.

Quick Facts
Current Role
Instructional Designer
UNT Health Science Center
Education
M.A. Communication Studies (ASU)
B.A. Journalism (ASU)
Currently Pursuing
Software Engineering Bootcamp
Experience
15+ Years
Publications
5+ Peer-Reviewed
Games Created
10+ Learning Games

Skills & Expertise

Bridging the gap between pedagogical excellence and technical implementation

🎓

Instructional Design

  • • ADDIE, SAM, Agile
  • • Universal Design for Learning
  • • Backward Design
  • • Bloom's Taxonomy
  • • Assessment Design
  • • Curriculum Development
  • • Rapid Prototyping
  • • QM & Accessibility Standards
💻

Technology

  • • HTML, CSS, JavaScript
  • • Canvas LMS Administration
  • • Adobe Creative Suite
  • • Camtasia, Captivate, Descript
  • • WordPress Development
  • • Game Design & Development
  • • Project Management Tools
  • • Video Production & Editing
🎯

Domains

  • • Healthcare Education
  • • Medical Training & CE
  • • Higher Education
  • • Entrepreneurship Education
  • • Game-Based Learning
  • • Adult Learning
  • • Online Course Development
  • • Journalism & Media

Learning Games & Interactive Tools

10+ years creating game-based learning experiences that engage learners and drive outcomes across healthcare, education, and social impact.

2015 🏆 Grant Winner

Story Builder Game Design System

Interactive platform enabling educators to create narrative games without coding. Won Knight Foundation Prototype Fund grant for innovation in digital storytelling.

Skills:
Game Design Web Development UX Design
2016 📄 Published

Health Care America

Learning game designed to improve health insurance literacy among young adults. Published peer-reviewed study showed significant improvements in participants' understanding.

Skills:
Healthcare Ed Game Design Research
2019

Hoaxes & Havoc

News literacy game helping students identify misinformation and understand media manipulation tactics. Designed and developed for journalism education.

Skills:
Media Literacy Game Design Development
2013

Can You Make it in the VA?

Interactive experience helping veterans navigate the VA healthcare system. Produced to improve understanding of veteran services and benefits access.

Skills:
Healthcare Ed Game Design Production
2013

DOPESTRONG

Educational game addressing substance abuse prevention through interactive storytelling and decision-making scenarios.

Skills:
Health Ed Game Design Development
2013

Gambling with Guns

News game exploring gun policy and public safety through data visualization and interactive decision-making.

Skills:
Journalism Data Viz Game Design

+ 4 more learning games including #MeToo, MacGyvering Advocacy, and Rigged or Rigorous?

Instructional Design Projects

Creating accessible, outcome-driven learning experiences across healthcare, higher education, and entrepreneurship

Current Healthcare

UNT HSC Medical Education Courses

Designing and building online courses for HSC microcredentials and academic education programs. Collaborating with clinical faculty to implement backward design and integrate adult learning principles.

Key Achievements
  • Aligned courses with QM and CE standards
  • Implemented accessibility best practices (WCAG)
  • Developed asynchronous and synchronous components
  • Led project timelines for high-quality course delivery
Tools & Skills:
Canvas LMS Backward Design QM Standards Accessibility
2022-2025 Entrepreneurship

AccelerateHER Business Incubator

Designed and managed comprehensive incubator curriculum for women entrepreneurs. Created mentorship framework and networking opportunities to support business growth.

Key Achievements
  • Increased program enrollment and satisfaction
  • Iteratively improved curriculum based on feedback
  • Established as key community resource
  • Integrated best practices in program delivery
Tools & Skills:
Curriculum Design Mentorship Program Management Coaching
2015-2022 Higher Ed

Media Entrepreneurship Certificate Program

Spearheaded creation of innovative certificate program at UNT Mayborn School of Journalism. Developed curriculum, objectives, and assessment methods integrating cross-disciplinary approaches.

Key Achievements
  • Created first-of-its-kind certificate program
  • Taught web design, applied design, and game design courses
  • Brought first Journalism School Hackathon to UNT
  • Partnered with industry professionals for relevance
Tools & Skills:
Program Development Curriculum Design Assessment Innovation
2024-Present Entrepreneurship

EQALL Entrepreneur Education

Leading curriculum design for entrepreneur education programs focused on early-stage founders, including underserved and non-traditional learners. Creating self-paced online experiences with Canvas.

Key Achievements
  • Designed self-paced learning experiences
  • Emphasized applied learning and digital fluency
  • Developed AI-powered learning supports
  • Aligned outcomes with learner needs
Tools & Skills:
Canvas LMS Self-Paced Design AI Integration Templates & Tools

Experience

15+ years building learning experiences across healthcare, higher education, and entrepreneurship

Instructional Designer

UNT Health Science Center

Designing online courses for medical education programs, implementing QM and CE standards.

2024

Present

2024 - Present

2024

Curriculum Developer

EQALL Business Solutions

Leading curriculum design for entrepreneur education programs focused on early-stage founders.

Associate Director, Entrepreneur Education

Stoke Coworking

Managed AccelerateHER incubator, designed Denton Pitch Competition curriculum, created entrepreneur programs.

2022

2022 - 2025

2015 - 2022

2015

Senior Lecturer

UNT Mayborn School of Journalism

Created Media Entrepreneurship Certificate, taught web design, applied design, and game design courses.

Senior Initiative Coordinator

Center for Games & Impact

Designed Story Builder tool, won Knight Foundation grant, developed educational game initiatives.

2012

2012 - 2015

Earlier

Additional Experience: Faculty Associate at ASU New College, Public Information Officer at Arizona-Mexico Commission, Broadcast Specialist in U.S. Army (European Command)

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