profile

Sarah A. Barker, PhD
Learning Researcher | Instructional Designer | Audio Content Creator

I spent nearly 20 years in the classroom training adult learners to perform in high-stakes, real-consequence environments — live broadcast studios, film sets, professional media production.

That experience taught me something that no textbook quite captures: people learn best when the design respects both the complexity of what they're being asked to do and the very human way their attention actually works.

That insight led me to a PhD in Media Psychology at Fielding Graduate University, where I focused my research on attention, self-regulation, and performance in technology-enabled environments — including a large-scale meta-analysis of VR-based mindfulness interventions examining how immersive experience affects psychological and physiological outcomes.

I am now bringing that combination — two decades of applied training design, doctoral-level research in learning and cognition, and a long practice in sound and media production — into a new chapter focused on instructional design, learning research, and content creation.

I write about adult learning theory at the intersection of science and practice. Every post comes with an audio companion, because good ideas should be accessible to everyone.

What I bring:

• 15+ years designing and running structured training programs for adult learners

• PhD-level research in cognition, attention, and technology-enabled learning

• Deep background in audio production and sound design applied to learning content

• Expertise in SCORM/xAPI, Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, and LMS integration

• ISTE Certified Educator | CITI Human Subjects Research Certified

I'm currently open to: Remote roles in instructional design, learning research, or content development — particularly with organizations working at the intersection of learning, wellness, and emerging technology.