About Me

I'm Michael Birkeland and I design for learning. Throughout my career, I've focused on creating equitable, engaging, and exciting learning materials. 

With eight years of teaching experience, I am skilled in designing learning experiences for a wide range of learners. While teaching online the last three years, I have grown proficient in a variety of technologies, and understand when and when not to rely on technology. I'm always exploring new tools and strategies to integrate innovative solutions into the design process, like AI and microlearning. I take pride in crafting educational materials that not only facilitate learning but also inspire curiosity and critical thinking. 

No matter the audience, my favorite part of education is creating learning materials. As such, I have also created and facilitated professional development for my organization and for educators across South Dakota. Earning my Master's degree in Learning Design & Technologies from Arizona State University further helped me to further hone my knowledge in adult learning and eLearning.

For the last couple years, I have also served on our local board of education. Outside of education, you'll usually find me playing Nintendo with a cat or two on my lap, tinkering with my 3D printer, or tending to my houseplants and garden.