PORTFOLIO FOR GARY BARTANUS, MET
Learners Matter
Putting Learners First: Innovative eLearning Solutions
- ZChanneling 10+ years of experience in shaping engaging, effective eLearning
- ZExcelling in Higher Education and Corporate Training with a proven track record
- ZImplementing Agile methodology for continuous learning enhancements
- ZCultivating a reputation for engaging, effective creativity and innovation
- ZExhibiting comprehensive learning design, as demonstrated in this ePortfolio

First Nations Acknowledgement
This site operates on the traditional territory of three W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations: Tsartlip, Tseycum, and Tsawout. We wish to convey our profound respect and gratitude to the W̱SÁNEĆ People for their vibrant culture and for granting the privilege to live, work, study, and enjoy recreational activities on these ancestral lands.
LinkedIn Profile
Master of Educational Technology (MET), Award-winning eLearning Designer & Digital Storyteller | Web Developer | Innovative Media Content Creator | Friendly Facilitator | Adult Education & Corporate Training Expert | Digital & Media Literacy Advocate | Public Speaker | Licensed Drone Pilot

National Award
Federal 101 – Federal Continuance Employee Training in 2022 received a prestigious national award for outstanding learning excellence from the Canadian Credit Union Association. This exceptional course boasted a 98.6% completion rate among 1200+ employees, demonstrating its effectiveness and value in the professional development realm. Tap/click on badge to see CCUA screenshot.
Specialty: Interactive Videos
Specialty: Interactive Videos
Branching Scenarios with AI
Articulate Storyline 360 Demo
Realistic avatars – like those from Synthesia – are perfect for creating immersive learning activities where students make choices in realistic situations and safely learn from their mistakes. Because avatars cost less than human talent, these eLearning activities are economical while providing a high level of engagement and interactivity. To check it out, please tap/click on either the Demo (below left) or the image above.
Corporate Kudos
Corporate Kudos
More Videos That




How Effective is Video for Learning?
According to the latest research...
Well-produced and well-designed video can also have a powerful emotional effect on learners. It is a particularly important medium for students who have grown up in a digital age. Students more easily identify with topics or approaches that are represented through video presentations. (Bates, 2022)
Video has emerged as one of the most powerful and widely used formats for delivering training and instructions, regardless of who your audience is. 83% of people prefer watching videos to accessing instructional or informational content via text or audio.
Keep this in mind: research is demonstrating that using video in learning improves student performance. Notably, in a study by researchers at the University of Maryland, videos, especially interactive videos, improved student performance by as much as 30 percent.
Interactive video permits user-driven decision-making and a sense of user control. This can enable a more personalized learning experience and greater choice for the learner. Videos can be structured to permit learners to select based on their role, staff level or knowledge gaps.


Interactive Video with Quiz
This video features embedded quiz questions that prompt learners to self-check their own understanding of key content (formative assessment). It can be hosted in either an ordinary website or in a Learning Management System with SCORM tracking so responses can be used for summative assessment.
Interactive Video with Articulate Storyline
This interactive Storyline slide is an adaptation of a short video posted on YouTube by Digital Learning Pills International. It’s an example of how one can find excellent Creative Commons content and repurpose it for engaging microlearning activities.
Testimonials from First West leaders:
LAUNI SKINNER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just wanted to say thank you and let you know how impressed I was with the Teams training! It was so helpful and easy to understand…Thanks for looking at ways to meet learning needs in a flexible and agile way – it worked!
SUSAN COULSON, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL ACCOUNTS
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just finished Module 1 for Federal Continuance and I am obsessed with Gary!…this was the best Module I have taken in my 20 years here, and there have been some great ones over the years!
LIZ BAILEY-CONNOR, CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary is our instructional designer who worked on this learning and he is SO talented! We are very fortunate to have his expertise and experience.
ALICIA PETERS, DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE INITIATIVES
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary is an absolute rock star and genius, it has been an exciting learning journey working with him and seeing his creative brilliance in action.
DEBBIE WILSON, FORMER LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
He shoots, he scores with yet another great learning experience. Thanks for always giving us your creative best, Gary.
SHELLEY BESSE, CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary I love the enthusiasm and fun you put into this module – especially the hockey commentary during the quiz section!
KENNETH D'SENA, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER EXPERIENCE
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary, appreciate your support, advice and expertise in developing an excellent training session for staff on “How to Resolve Member Concerns.” I really liked how you utilized the latest digital and tehnology to generate an innovative way of learning.
SHELAGH MCINTYRE, SENIOR ADVISOR - LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just finished module 1 of Federal 101 and wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your personality showing through with this engaging learning webinar! You did a fantastic job and I can’t wait to see you in action in future modules. Well done! I’m super-impressed!
JAMES FUNFER, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Module 1 of Federal Continuance was informative, fun, and engaging, just like I knew it would be! I especially loved how you made the knowledge check fun.
LIZ BAILEY-CONNOR, CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER; DEBBIE WILSON, FORMER LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Thank you for the talent and expertise and focus you bring to make our learning so incredibly impactful for our employees…
More Videos To Elevate Learner Engagement
Interactive Video with Quiz
This video features embedded quiz questions that prompt learners to self-check their own understanding of key content (formative assessment). It can be hosted in either an ordinary website or a Learning Management System with SCORM tracking so responses can be used for summative assessment. Tap on the image to interact with the video.
Interactive Video with Articulate Storyline
This interactive Storyline slide is an adaptation of a short video posted on YouTube by Digital Learning Pills International. It’s an example of how one can find excellent Creative Commons content and repurpose it for engaging microlearning activities. Tap on the image to view the video.
Testimonials from First West leaders:
LAUNI SKINNER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just wanted to say thank you and let you know how impressed I was with the Teams training! It was so helpful and easy to understand…Thanks for looking at ways to meet learning needs in a flexible and agile way – it worked!
SUSAN COULSON, DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL ACCOUNTS
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just finished Module 1 for Federal Continuance and I am obsessed with Gary!…this was the best Module I have taken in my 20 years here, and there have been some great ones over the years!
LIZ BAILEY-CONNOR, CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary is our instructional designer who worked on this learning and he is SO talented! We are very fortunate to have his expertise and experience.
ALICIA PETERS, DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE INITIATIVES,
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary is an absolute rock star and genius, it has been an exciting learning journey working with him and seeing his creative brilliance in action.
DEBBIE WILSON, FORMER LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
He shoots, he scores with yet another great learning experience. Thanks for always giving us your creative best, Gary.
SHELLEY BESSE, CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary I love the enthusiasm and fun you put into this module – especially the hockey commentary during the quiz section!
KENNETH D'SENA, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER EXPERIENCE
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Gary, appreciate your support, advice and expertise in developing an excellent training session for staff on “How to Resolve Member Concerns.” I really liked how you utilized the latest digital and tehnology to generate an innovative way of learning.
SHELAGH MCINTYRE, SENIOR ADVISOR - LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
I just finished module 1 of Federal 101 and wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your personality showing through with this engaging learning webinar! You did a fantastic job and I can’t wait to see you in action in future modules. Well done! I’m super-impressed!
JAMES FUNFER, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR
FIRST WEST CREDIT UNION
Module 1 of Federal Continuance was informative, fun, and engaging, just like I knew it would be! I especially loved how you made the knowledge check fun.