Behind every well-organized, engaging course at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing is a close partnership between faculty and an instructional designer who helps translate expertise into meaningful learning experiences.
Brian Chervitz, MS, instructional designer, works alongside faculty to support the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of courses across the College. “Faculty are experts in nursing and the subject matter of the course, and I am an expert in learning and teaching,” Brian says. “So together, we create engaging, effective courses for Goldfarb students.”
That collaboration can take many forms—brainstorming new assignments, re-organizing course content, aligning learning outcomes with assessments, creating rubrics, ensuring accessibility, or helping faculty thoughtfully integrate AI into their teaching. A key priority of his role is moving courses beyond passive learning. “All courses need opportunities for active learning—not just taking notes and taking tests,” he explains.
Much of that work happens in Canvas, Goldfarb's learning management system that many faculty use daily but may not have formal training. “The biggest barrier for faculty regarding Canvas is not knowing how to use it to make their ideas for the course come to life,” Brian explains. He likens it to “having a garage of power-tools but no idea how to use them.”
That support has been transformative for instructors like Julie Berendzen, RN, MSN, CLC, who is teaching her first-ever didactic course in Ethics, Legal Issues and Health Care Policy in the RN to BSN program. “Brian has helped make an outline of the course using the learning outcomes, breaking them into weekly modules, and what assignments to utilize for the online class,” Julie says. “The fact that he was a high school teacher really helps him with this role. He's taught before and understands education.”
Julie credits Brian with helping her build confidence not only in course design, but in technology. “He is a tremendous help with Canvas,” she says. “He has taught me how to record PowerPoints, add videos, and upload them to my class. He helped with setting up the directions for the assignments in a way that is easily followed by the students.”
Kristen Neils, MSN, RN, CNE, program director for the post licensure RN to BSN program, sees Brian as a key partner in student success. “The challenges I faced weren’t about what to teach—they were about how the learning experience was being delivered online,” she says. “He is the person on campus who best understands that intersection of learning, technology, and student experience.”
With his guidance, Kristen says courses are now “clearer, more consistent, and easier for students to navigate,” with assignments better aligned to learning outcomes and a more intentional course flow. She also values his outside perspective. “Because he isn’t a nurse educator, he often notices things that faculty may unintentionally overlook—such as unclear instructions, cognitive overload, or barriers to engagement,” she says.
Brian is also helping lead conversations around AI in teaching and learning, including work on AI policies and exploring tools that could analyze Canvas data to identify trends and support at-risk students. Looking ahead, he’s especially excited about helping launch the new undergraduate curriculum and continuing thoughtful discussions about how AI can support—rather than replace—learning.
For faculty, his impact is felt in clearer courses, stronger alignment, and greater confidence. As Kristen explains, “Brian has been an amazing addition to the College. He is patient, collaborative, and proactive. Quite honestly, he has become a key partner in my work, not just a support resource.”
Brian regularly conducts workshops to help faculty, you can email Brian Chervitz at [email protected].