Debra Fisher, M.S.Ed, B.A., is president and owner of an independent education, learning, and communications consulting company that serves both individual graduate learners and institutions of higher education. When working with graduate learners, Debra perceives her role as that of a personal writing coach and academic advisor, providing guidance and encouragement during the prospectus, proposal, analysis, and publication phases of scholarly writing. Whether helping clients brainstorm a researchable thesis; providing theoretical guidance relative to research focus and/or positional development; recommending structural and organizational revisions to enhance the clarity and cohesion of an argument; or editing for grammar, mechanics and punctuation, she customizes her services to meet the specific needs of her clients. More than achieving the completion and committee approval of a scholarly manuscript, clients appreciate Debra’s emphasis on the development of skills that help them communicate effectively using all the techniques of good writing—skills that serve them well beyond their graduate program. Debra has enjoyed coaching-advising relationships with hundreds of learners who represent a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, and all have been awarded their graduate degrees.

Debra graduated summa cum laude (B.A.) with double majors in English and education from Grand Canyon University, a Christian liberal arts university in Phoenix, Arizona. With a minor in philosophy, critical thinking permeates all her professional work. She received her M.S. in education from Capella University with a specialization in instructional design for online learning, and she is presently pursuing her Ph.D. in educational leadership for higher education.

Instructional Designer, Instructional Technology, Distance Education, Online Learning, Education Grant Writing, Thesis & Dissertation Help

Specialties

Academic Writing Consultant/Advisor/Editor

Coaching and advising graduate learners on the completion of their theses and dissertations is one of Debra’s passions as an education, learning, and communications consultant. She specializes in adult learning theory and carries that expertise into her interactions with clients. Whether a client is returning to academic work after a lengthy hiatus, launching from an undergraduate background that included little or no scholarly writing, or balancing the demands of writing English as a second language, Debra customizes her relationship with each person in order to focus on specific needs and academic goals. She is proud of the numerous accomplishments of her clients—all have received their graduate degrees and some have continued on to publish future works.

Debra focuses on the basic techniques of good academic writing. She works with clients to: (a) design and plan their research, focusing on the selection of designs and methods appropriate for maximizing research goals and the development of phased timelines of activity based on degree-granting institutions’ calendars and requirements as well as the clients’ demanding schedules; (b) strengthen research/literature reviews, (c) address content and organizational weaknesses, (d) set the proper academic tone, (e) rewrite for clarity and cohesion; and (f) edit for grammar, mechanics, and punctuation.

As an academic writing consultant, Debra’s research specializations are in qualitative (with special skills in the area of heuristic paradigms) and mixed-methods designs. In her role as Director of Public Education and Communications for Canyon Institute for Advanced Studies, a Christian interdisciplinary research center, Debra interacts with scholars from around the world who represent multiple disciplines, assisting them with the presentation of their research for public audiences through formal lecture and publication. She has coached and advised graduate learners from multiple academic domains, including: religious studies/theology, philosophy, education (theory, administration, and practitioner action research), medical/healthcare/nursing, justice/law, political science, environmental science/law, business, information technology/knowledge management, behavioral sciences, marketing/communications/public relations, creative arts (literature and music), international studies, and instructional design for distance learning.

Debra’s research specializations are in the areas of higher education and religious studies with emphasis on the theories of adult learning (andragogy) brain-based learning, multiple intelligences, emotional intelligence, and spiritual intelligence.

Instructional Designer

As an instructional designer who specializes in Web-based learning, Debra assists subject matter experts (faculty and for-profit/nonprofit professionals) who are developing new curriculum or adapting face-to-face curriculum for online delivery. Her services include the provision of theoretical guidance on issues relative to adult learning and distance education. She focuses on developing collaborative relationships with subject matter experts to address issues ranging from the nature and frequency of course assignments to the use of online technologies (e.g., Web authoring and delivery programs, portals, email, bulletin boards, chat rooms, and intelligent pedagogical agents) to enhance learner-instructor and learner-learner interactions while building virtual communities of learning.

Education and Honors

Doctoral Learner, Education Studies, expected completion 2010.
Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Master of Science, Education, Specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning, 2006. Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, English and education majors with a minor in philosophy, 2002. Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona.
Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education
Alpha Chi College Honor Society
Who’s Who Among American Women
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges

Scope

• Distance education
• Web-based learning
• Online learning
• Instructional design
• Heuristic inquiry paradigm
• Qualitative research designs
• Mixed-methods research designs
• Research methodology
• Education
• Higher education
• Educational leadership
• Religious studies
• Theology
• Spirituality
• Multiple intelligences theory
• Emotional intelligence
• Spiritual intelligence
• Brain-based learning
• Writing coach
• Academic writing
• Academic editor
• Academic advisor
• Dissertation editor
• Thesis editor
• Adult learning theory
• Andragogy