Now that I have completed the process of redeveloping the HUM 1020 course, I wanted to let you know what a positive experience I have had. First of all, you and Ruthann really made me feel like I had the full support of the Virtual College and that my course was a priority. You demonstrated this support by assigning Alex Strzyzewski to the course as the Instructional Designer. At the beginning of the process, when I was shown Alex's work, I was impressed and knew that we would make a good pair, but I did not realize until we really started working on the class that Alex's creativity and expertise is above and beyond anything that I could have imagined. It goes without saying I certainly could not have achieved such excellent results on my own. Moreover, it wasn’t just about the design. Alex took an active role in becoming familiar with the content of the course. Then he created activities that highlighted the concepts. I have never had an Instructional Designer do this. In fact, he did things with the content I didn't even know I wanted! Each time I looked at one of the modules that he worked on, it was like getting a gift. I was always so caught off guard by his creative design, and each time I thought he could not match what he did in one module, he would out do himself in the next.
This brings me to my other point, on top of his amazing skills as an Instructional Designer, Alex is a diplomat. We all know that discussing changes to something as personal as a course developed from scratch over many years and hundreds of hours can be difficult. Alex was always careful to listen to my concerns and to make sure to ask me about a change before he did it. He did this with the utmost respect. More importantly, he was not offended if I said no, which by the way, I rarely did. As I said, his changes enhanced the course, so I almost always agreed. Alex’s talent is really remarkable, but his personality and ability to work with people is what make him a true asset to the Virtual College.
Again, I want to thank you for allowing me to work with Alex. It has been an incredible experience, and I believe that the resulting class proves what an excellent choice the Virtual College made in hiring him. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.
Professor Sarah Garman - Dev. Ed. & Humanities UFMDC Co- Vice President
Miami Dade College
I really want to thank you for coming down to Homestead and working with me yesterday. Your technical prowess, work ethic and tenacity are very impressive and I want you to know how much I appreciate that you spent the whole day working with me. Integrating the Pearson homework directly into the class is something I have been wanting to do for a long time. I know it was challenging and another ID might have given up after a couple of hours, but you just kept after it until you figured it out. Thank you again and I look forward to working with you to make my class the best it can be. I think we are going to work very well together and I am excited about moving forward with our plans to prepare the class for Quality Matters review. I think it is important for your supervisor to be aware that you are providing faculty with a superior level of support, so I hope you don't mind that I am copying Donna on this message. Yesterday was huge for me, and I could not have done it without you.
Dr. Jessica B. Anderson - Senior Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biology
Miami Dade College
And not to blow smoke either…
This is the best designed/built Bb courses I’ve ever seen. This is fantastic. Thank you.
Patrick Devlin - Senior Vice President
FishTree Inc.
I am not sure if I am allowed to do this or not, and I am certainly not communicating anything official from Blackboard, but I just reviewed your course and wanted to thank you. It was beyond excellent. Have a good day.
Dr. Robert Douglass
Ashland University
I just wanted to drop you a quick line to thank you for the support of your organization. I have just completed an online PSC1515 class and I probably went well beyond what was required. But Alex Strzyzewski did everything I asked and more. I could not have done it without him.
Dr. Michael McGauley - Associate Professor, Senior Department of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science
Miami Dade College
Hard to believe, but Alex has been on our team for close to 3 months now! He has done some incredible work – as you’ve seen! He has created very good rapport with his assigned developers, and has coaxed several ‘hard cases’ into adopting very positive changes to improve Master Courses.
Dr. Marcia Williams - Manager of Instructional Design
Miami Dade College
What you've done with MUM2704 is incredible. It's very engaging and the information is presented in is small doses for the students. I'm inspired!
Dr. Richard Rose - Professor
Miami Dade College
Thanks to Alex for all his help. Terrific Instructioal Designer and very professional.
Dr. Susan Epstein Garcia - Professor, Music Theory and Composition
Miami Dade College
I just wanted to say that Alex was a pleasure to work with today. He is patient and very knowledgeable. What a great asset he is. I am certain that his participation in the development process will lead to outstanding results for our students.
Dr. Z. Dennis Kalam - Assistant Professor, School of Justice
Miami Dade College
I love the HLP 1081 Blackboard Course Design. I actually been interactive with it….You Rock!
Professor Susan Summons - Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Miami Dade College
I just wanted to thank you again for helping me understand how to best develop an online course in Black Board. The course you have developed for us to learn is excellent. Yet your additional personal tutoring time makes it so much even better for me to learn quickly. I appreciate the time and effort you give me. And of course your patience and smarts!
Dr. Caryn Horwitz - Associate Professor School of Justice
Miami Dade College
You are the "Worlds Best Instructional Designer".
Dr. Patricia Lassiter - Professor, Health Sciences and Related Studies
Miami Dade College
Also I want to let you both know that Alex Strzyzewski did a wonderful job in the conversion of my course from Angel into BBL, his support and guidance and technical help have been also superb.
Dr. Tony Barros - Oceanography Department
Miami Dade College
Alex's work has been brilliant. The work Alex has done with CLP 2140 has been truly exceptional.
Dr. Sheryl Hartman - Professor, Psychology
Miami Dade College
NSU has been most fortunate to have had your expertise and dedication for the last seven and a half years! The Fischler School, myself in particular, is most appreciative of everything you have done for us!
My sincerest best wishes to you as you pursue new professional goals. Your new employer has no idea how fortunate they are, YET!
Lifes best to you Alex. You will be missed.
Sue Fassanella - Operations Manager
Nova Southeastern University