Patti Shank is a learning designer and analyst at Learning Peaks, an internationally recognized consulting firm that provides learning and performance consulting. She is an often-requested speaker at training and instructional technology conferences, is quoted frequently in training publications, and is the co-author of Making Sense of Online Learning, editor of The Online Learning Idea Book, co-editor of The E-Learning Handbook, and co-author of Essential Articulate Studio ’09.

Patti was the research director for the eLearning Guild and an award-winning contributing editor for Online Learning Magazine. Her articles are found in eLearning Guild publications, Adobe’s Resource Center, Magna Publication’s Online Classroom, and elsewhere. Patti completed her PhD at the University of Colorado, Denver, and her interests include interaction design, tools and technologies for interaction, real-world instructional design, and instructional authoring. Her research on new online learners won a 2002 EdMEDIA Best Research Paper award. She is passionate about the results needed from instructional design and engaged in improving instructional design practices and outcomes.