TRAUMA-INFORMED · FAITH-INTEGRATED · RESTORATIVE · LEARNING OUTCOMES
The Architecture of Healing
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
John 1:5 NIV
Nurturing Talents
From Radio Airwaves to Trauma-informed eLearning
A Journey To Intentional & Compassionate eLearning
- Where It Began — 7 years on air, behind the board
- Digital Literacy — Channeled for today's online learners
- Intercultural Humility — A decade teaching in Seoul
- Academics — 92.9% GPA Master of Educational Technology
- Gentle By Design — Trauma-informed practice
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) — Act of joyful service
- Human Warmth, Scaled — An intentional AI stack
- The Mission — Every learner, seen and valued
Human story. AI-hosted.
Zuri is an AI-generated presenter created with professional AI voice/video tools — shown here as an example of compassionate, media-rich eLearning.
Entrusted to Serve
A Faithful Record in Learning Experience Design
Fifteen years of bearing witness to what becomes possible when learning environments are built on safety, dignity, and grace — from higher education in South Korea to higher education in Canada to the financial services and clinical healthcare in British Columbia.
Featured Case Study
Deep Dive Podcast
- The Neurobiology of Stress
- Cognitive Load Theory
- Trauma-informed Learning Design
The Work in Practice
Designing Trauma-Informed Learning Experiences
In a world where the weight of past trauma often feels unbearable, the mission of Agape Learning Design is to illuminate a path toward healing through understanding and compassion rather than judgment. True learning flourishes in a nurturing environment, where each individual is met with empathy and respect.
The video below demonstrates the rationale and methodologies that have guided Gary in his healing approach to learning architecture for decades.
Architecting the Healing: A Step by Step to Whole Student Learning
The steps below provide a detailed step-by-step workflow that is show visually in a colorful infographic.
The Trauma-Informed Framework
Moving beyond a passive list of links to an intentionally architected Digital Sanctuary—where every design decision prioritises learner safety, predictability, and inclusivity.
Native LMS vs. The Sanctuary
Replacing disorganised repositories and fragmented navigation with a unified, predictable interface—eliminating the extraneous mental work that stands between the learner and learning.
Design for a Visually Calming Experience
Articulate Rise and Storyline are used to build clean, responsive, intuitive interfaces—minimising distraction and lowering cognitive load at every point of contact.
Adherence to WCAG 2.1 Standards
An inclusive environment is non-negotiable. Meeting WCAG 2.1 standards is a core expression of serving the whole student—and a pillar of honouring every learner's dignity.
Active Engagement through Branching
Complex branching scenarios place students in genuine decision-making roles—applying knowledge in context and experiencing the real consequences of their choices.
Transformative, Active Learning
The final synthesis: sophisticated design and technical precision converge to create space for deep reflection, critical thinking, and genuine student-centred growth.
The Philosophy Behind the Practice
Safe Online Spaces for Academic and Spiritual Growth
Agape Learning Design functions as a learning consultancy that serves every walk of your story. We build engaging, multimedia-rich learning environments anchored in safety, dignity, and grace.
"Love, the basis of creation and of redemption, is the basis of true education."
Ellen G. White — Education, p. 16
A Faithful Body of Work
Featured Case Studies
Bridging Spirit of Prophecy and 21st-Century Cognitive Science
Faith-integrated learning design meeting modern neuroscience
Federal 101: A National eLearning Award Winner (98.6% Completion Rate)
Student-facing resource built with NotebookLM, Gemini, and Claude
Using Emerging AI to Create Engaging Digital Stories
HeyGen, ElevenLabs, Dreamina, and Kling in a podcast workflow
A Record Worth Noting
Professional Distinctions
Teaching · Broadcasting · Design
Decades of Excellence in Education
Teaching Adults and Designing Courses
During nearly a decade of teaching higher education students and another decade of designing eLearning for universities and corporations, my body of work is packed with numerous groundbreaking accomplishments. Many of those accomplishments are featured here, along with insights into how my success in both broadcasting and teaching continues to shape my approach to instructional design.
Canadian Credit Union Association
National Award for Learning Excellence
Federal 101 – Federal Continuance Employee Training
%
Completion Rate
Employees
Award Year
Federal 101 received a prestigious national award for outstanding learning excellence from the Canadian Credit Union Association — a course demonstrating exceptional effectiveness and value in the professional development realm.
Latest LinkedIn Recommendations
From the Learning & Instructional Design Team at Island Health
Each colleague’s recommendation was kindly posted on my behalf via LinkedIn. Open any card to read the recommendation in full.
Sarah Mabbott
Senior Specialist, Clinical Informatics · Clinician Education
“His strong work ethic and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable team member.”
Read the full recommendation
Letter of Reference for Gary Bartanus
Sarah Mabbott
Senior Specialist Clinical Informatics – Clinician Education
Island Health
Sarah.Mabbott@islandhealth.ca
250 889-xxxx
25-Mar-2025
To Whom It May Concern,
I am pleased to provide this letter of reference for Gary Bartanus, an exceptional instructional designer with whom I have had the pleasure of working. Gary is a skilled professional who brings an impressive combination of creativity, innovation, and technical expertise to every project he undertakes. His ability to embrace new technologies as an early adopter has consistently placed him at the forefront of instructional design, ensuring that learning experiences are engaging, effective, and cutting-edge.
Gary is a self-motivated, self-starting individual who thrives on problem-solving and creative thinking. He has a keen ability to develop innovative solutions while maintaining a sharp focus on meeting deadlines and managing his time effectively. His strong work ethic and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable team member.
Beyond his technical and creative skills, Gary is an outstanding collaborator. He works seamlessly with colleagues, always eager to lend a helping hand when needed. His sense of humor and positive attitude contribute to a work environment that is both productive and enjoyable. Additionally, his ability to listen to and incorporate feedback demonstrates a level of professionalism and adaptability that is rare and highly valued.
I have no doubt that Gary will be an asset to any organization seeking a talented and dedicated instructional designer. His combination of technical skills, creativity, and teamwork makes him a standout professional. I highly recommend him without hesitation.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any additional information.
Sincerely,
Sarah Mabbott
Senior Specialist Clinical Informatics – Clinician Education - Island Health
Lanka Dimitrijevic
Instructional Designer, Learning & Performance Support
“A talented and dedicated professional with a strong focus on integrating AI into modern learning solutions.”
Read the full recommendation
It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation for Gary Bartanus, with whom I worked closely at Island Health for the past 2 years to develop and implement education and training for multiple electronic health record activations across Vancouver Island. I can confidently say that Gary is a talented and dedicated professional in the field of instructional design and he consistently demonstrated a strong focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into modern learning solutions. Gary’s contributions have left a lasting positive impact on our organization and the teams Gary supported.
Gary had a pivotal role in designing and developing high-impact learning experiences that significantly improved learner engagement and knowledge retention. Whether working on e-learning modules, videos or a knowledge base platform, Gary consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of learning theory, adult education principles, and technology integration. One of his most impressive contributions was his integration of AI and computer programming solutions to redesign our onboarding program and create engaging videos. He approaches projects with creativity, critical thinking, and a collaborative spirit, ensuring that stakeholders' goals are met. Gary is a proactive communicator, innovator, and a passionate lifelong learner who effectively partnered with a multitude of subject matter experts to ensure the seamless implementation of high priority learning initiatives.
I wholeheartedly recommend Gary for any role requiring instructional design expertise, or learning strategy leadership.
Anna-Leiza Barthorpe
Instructional Designer, Learning & Performance Support
“Gary’s creativity and dedication to his craft are truly exceptional, and his wealth of experience shines through.”
Read the full recommendation
I am more than happy to write this recommendation for Gary, a highly skilled and passionate Instructional Designer with whom I have had the pleasure of working closely for the past few years.
Gary's creativity and dedication to his craft are truly exceptional, and his wealth of experience shines through in every project he undertakes.
Gary's eagerness to innovate and improve the learning experience is unparalleled. He continuously seeks out new ways to make educational content more engaging and effective, always striving for excellence. His ability to think outside the box and deliver top-notch solutions has been a significant asset to our team.
Moreover, Gary is not only a talented professional, but also an incredibly supportive colleague. He is always willing to lend a helping hand and is genuinely invested in the success of those around him. His collaborative spirit and positive attitude make him a joy to work with.
I wholeheartedly recommend Gary for any future opportunities. His expertise, creativity, and unwavering commitment to his work make him an invaluable addition to any team. Any employer would be fortunate to have Gary on board.
These recommendations also became an AI-generated infographic series — see the case study →
HIGH-FIDELITY LEARNING ARCHITECTURE
Trauma-Informed Interactive Learning Examples
Immerse Yourself in a Branching AI Scenario
Test your communication skills and see if you can navigate a difficult customer conversation with a high-fidelity AI avatar. Realistic avatars offer an immersive, highly economical alternative to human talent, allowing learners to safely practice critical de-escalation tactics and learn from mistakes without real-world risk.
- Format: Multi-path branching scenario
- Length: 3 decision tracks (~5 minutes)
- Agency: Unrestricted navigation (Skip, jump, or review anytime)
- Tech Stack: Articulate Storyline 360 & AI Avatar Architecture
Rapid AI Adaptation: Enhancing Stock Frameworks
Discover how standard corporate training modules can be rapidly localized and humanized. By integrating bespoke AI video assets into pre-canned architectures, organizations can drastically scale production while maintaining high engagement.
- The Custom Asset: Click the player on the right to watch the tailored AI avatar video directly on this page.
- The Full Framework: Click the button below to launch the complete, interactive microlearning experience.
Cultivating Digital Sanctuary
Traditional LMS portals often feel rigid and isolating. This introductory video reframes the digital gateway into a calm, trauma-informed space. By pairing clear, accessible media with a predictable design architecture, it actively minimizes onboarding anxiety and prioritizes emotional safety—empowering learners to navigate their educational journey with confidence and absolute autonomy.
AI Literacy in Action
Can You Spot the Bot?
Think you can tell the difference between human-created and AI-generated content? This short, personalized Articulate Storyline experience puts that instinct to the test. Featuring ElevenLabs voices and HeyGen AI avatars - it gives you polite and personalized feedback – just like your favourite classroom teacher did!
Built with: Articulate Storyline | ElevenLabs | HeyGen | Google Labs Flow | TechSmith Camtasia | Envato Elements | AI Literacy | Digital Literacy | Personalized Learning