Are you thinking about moving into a leadership role? Here are my top 5 lessons on what I wish I knew before becoming an instructional design manager. ๐ Mentioned Resources: AI for Higher Ed Webinar ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn Confessions of a Learning Nerd YouTube Learning Nerd Group ๐ Suppo...
Jan 15, 2026โข16 minโขSeason 2Ep. 133
Let's talk about 5 AI-proof assessments you can add into your online learning experiences! ๐ Mentioned Resources: AI in Education Webinar by UMass Amherst ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn Confessions of a Learning Nerd YouTube Learning Nerd Group ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: B...
Nov 14, 2025โข17 minโขSeason 2Ep. 132
Has AI created a spark for community? On today's episode, we'll explore three reasons for this surge of communities in practice around AI. ๐ Mentioned Resources: Newsletter and transcript EdTech IDEAS Digest ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn Confessions of a Learning Nerd YouTube Learning Nerd Group...
Oct 16, 2025โข12 minโขSeason 1Ep. 131
Today's episode explores the potential of part-time entrepreneurship for educators. This seems to be something many of you have been thinking about, but don't know where to begin. I'll share my thoughts around this topic, the importance of starting small, identifying a niche, and building a community. I'll share some real-life success stories and offer practical advice on diversifying income streams and avoiding common mistakes. ๐ Mentioned Resources: Project Management for Instructional Design...
Oct 09, 2025โข21 minโขSeason 2Ep. 130
On today's episde, we are joined by Dr. Guieswende Rouamba. He's the author of the book the Instructional Designer's Guide to Project Management and a Learning Designer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In this conversation, you'll hear about his journey into instructional design and the critical role project management plays in the field. We discuss why project management often doesn't get the attention it deserves, the challenges instructional designers face today, the power of s...
Sep 25, 2025โข58 minโขSeason 2Ep. 129
We know about the importance of evaluation, especially from the ADDIE process. But most evaluations end with adding in more content. What if the solutions to our learning design problems were to destroy clutter? On today's episode, let's talk about making our designs clearer and concise. Read the transcript / article with this link ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐ So, you want to become ...
Sep 08, 2025โข13 minโขSeason 2Ep. 128
Let the girl dad life commence! Here's what I've been up to recently. ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace...
Jul 09, 2025โข8 minโขSeason 1Ep. 127
Can you even remember life before 2021? On today's episode, let's reminicse about the good ol' days! ๐ Mentioned Links: Confessions of a Learning Nerd Newsletter ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace...
May 29, 2025โข26 minโขSeason 1Ep. 126
On today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Chris Hakala and Dr. Leslie Cramblet Alvarez as we discuss the folks who work at teaching and learning centers. They wrote a tremendous new book called, "Understanding Educational Developers: Tales from the Center." In this book and in our conversation, we explore the diverse pathways into educational development, the role of teaching and learning centers, and the skills necessary for success in this field. They share insights on the impact of AI, the import...
May 08, 2025โข52 minโขSeason 1Ep. 125
What is the relationship like between faculty and instructional designers? In this episode, we'll hear from Ian August, Assistant Director of Online Learning and Adjunct Professor at St. John's University. Ian shares his research findings from speaking with both IDs and faculty about the course design and revision process. ๐ Mentioned Links: Connect with Ian Transcript Confessions of a Learning Nerd Newsletter 2025 Instructional Design Podcast Award by Feedspot ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your ...
Apr 17, 2025โข1 hr 3 minโขSeason 1Ep. 124
An off-chance conversation sent me down the rabbit hole of the psychomotor domain. Why is it that this domain doesn't get as much attention as the cognitive domain? So, I did some research and sifted through the origins of this domain. How did we get here? Who created it? Were there any signs that this domain was going to be looked down upon from the start? Well... I discovered some interesting takeaways that led to a few theories. This is the story of the psychomotor domain and why we don't tal...
Apr 04, 2025โข24 minโขSeason 1Ep. 123
What will Instructional Designers be called in the future? In this episode, I revisit a fun question from a recent webinar that got me thinking. Our field has gone by many names over the years, from training specialists and curriculum developers to multimedia designers and learning engineers. These shifts often reflect the trends, tools, and technologies of the time, from Gagnรฉ's Nine Events to the rise of LMSs and now AI. So, what's next? While job titles may continue to evolve, our core compet...
Mar 21, 2025โข19 minโขSeason 1Ep. 122
In this episode, I sit down with Anna Lebedinets, a researcher and instructional designer exploring how empathic listening and culturally nuanced communication can transform language learning. Her and her colleagues recent study examines how integrating psychological and sociocultural components within the 4C/ID model can bridge performance gaps and enhance students' preparedness for real-life cross-cultural interactions. We discuss why traditional language teaching often falls short in developi...
Mar 05, 2025โข31 minโขSeason 1Ep. 121
What's it like working as an instructional designer in higher education? Let's talk about it all: the day-to-day, rewards, growth, compensation, politics, etc. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and Blog ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightsp...
Feb 20, 2025โข34 minโขSeason 1Ep. 120
What happens when you upload 30 shorts in 30 days? Here's what I learned and what you can pickup from doing these kind of timed challenges. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and Blog ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace...
Feb 06, 2025โข25 minโขSeason 1Ep. 119
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Matt Kinservik, a literary expert and professor, and Rachel Lapp, a self-proclaimed Taylor Swift expert and instructional designer, as they share the behind-the-scenes journey of co-creating a one-of-a-kind college course focused on Taylor Swift. Together, they discuss how their distinct expertise combines to craft an innovative curriculum and how they not only marketed the course with social media, but how they let students use Gen AI. Swifties and educators...
Jan 22, 2025โข56 minโขSeason 1Ep. 118
๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post Breaking the Humdrum of "Post Once & Reply to 2" Online Discussions ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace...
Jan 09, 2025โข17 minโขSeason 1Ep. 117
In a recent poll, I asked educators (instructional designers, professors, teachers, developers, etc.) if they had a side hustle. 578 educators voted and 56% said yes. What opportunities are out there for educators though? In this episode, I'll share with you common side hustles for educators. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course Dr. Tom Tobin's Episode Christy Tucker's Episode Dr. Jason Gulya's AI Services Dr. Nicole LEtoile's New...
Dec 12, 2024โข18 minโขSeason 1Ep. 116
As instructional designers, we have our go to models for designing learning experiences. What do you do though when you have to pivot? On today's episode, I'll share with you a crazy project I worked on where I had to heavily modify the backward design model. Also, Happy Thanksgiving! ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ค My interview platform r...
Nov 27, 2024โข26 minโขSeason 1Ep. 115
Let's dive into immersive learning today and explore some real world examples! ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ค My interview platform recommendation (Riverside) โ Backwards Design Course ๐ฅ Join our Group ๐ Connect with me: ๐จโ๐ผ LinkedIn ๐ฆ Twitter ๐จโ๐ป Blog ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace...
Nov 15, 2024โข21 minโขSeason 1Ep. 114
What can Disney World teach us about instructional design? Well, quite a bit! Here are some insights from the most magical place on earth. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post WCAG Dr. Nicole's New Course New YouTube Video on SMEs ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learning Developers (IDOLs) ๏ฟฝ...
Oct 31, 2024โข19 minโขSeason 1Ep. 113
Don't you just love when you're working on a project, and suddenly your SME ghosts you? You have no idea why or what happened, but what you do know for sure is that your project is dead in the water until you hear from them again. So, how do you reengage? In today's blog and podcast, I'll share five tips to help you get things back on track. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ So, you want to become an ins...
Oct 16, 2024โข17 minโขSeason 1Ep. 112
Google's NotebookLM can generate a podcast about your material in a matter of minutes. What does this kind of technology mean for instructional design, online learning, and higher education? On today's episode, you'll hear a sample of what an AI generated podcast sounds like and we'll break down the pros, cons, and things to mindful of in the future. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post Notebook LM Example of NotebookLM ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the ...
Sep 26, 2024โข39 minโขSeason 1Ep. 111
Let's say your beloved project has become a total dumpster fire. What do you do? How do you handle this situation? On today's show, we will talk about steps to help you and to put out that fire. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learning Developers (IDOLs) ...
Sep 13, 2024โข15 minโขSeason 1Ep. 110
What can you use a GPT for? Under the right circumstances, these can be fantastic to help you and your students. On today's episode, I'll share with you three real world cases for how I'm using custom GPTs. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learning Develop...
Aug 30, 2024โข28 minโขSeason 1Ep. 109
Let's say you're an instructional designer and you're trying to get promoted. How do you achieve this goal? Well, there are a few ways you can go about this, and on today's podcast, I'll share with you 10 tips on how to get promoted as an instructional designer. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide...
Aug 15, 2024โข18 minโขSeason 1Ep. 108
There are certain types of phrases that can trigger an instructional designer. Learning styles, using "understand" in learning objectives, cognitive overload, last minute stakeholder changes, and more are enough to drive the best instructional designer crazy. Over the years, I've had to channel these grievances into more productive ways with sharing best practices. But even now, there are still some things that pop up where I shake my head and pray for divine intervention. So come commiserate wi...
Aug 01, 2024โข18 minโขSeason 1Ep. 107
Are you planning on going to a learning conference soon? I just came back from D2L's Fusion and it was amazing. There were a few changes I made compared to my normal conference routine and it made a huge difference. On today's episode, you'll hear my top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your next conference. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Boo...
Jul 17, 2024โข14 minโขSeason 1Ep. 106
How do amazing concepts turn into disasters? Well, I can think of quite a few reasons. On today's show, you'll hear about some real-life examples and blunders about how ideas can quickly take a turn for the worse. ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post ๐ Recommendations: ๐ Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐ So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learning ...
Jul 03, 2024โข23 minโขSeason 1Ep. 105
Joseph Diaz joins the show to shares his insights on networking on LinkedIn and how to do it effectively without feeling slimy. On this episode, you'll hear about: ๐ Key Takeaways: ยท Engaging with Other People's Content: Emphasizing the importance of engaging with other people's content through comments. Discussing the strategy of starting meaningful conversations. ยท Curating and Sharing Valuable Resources: Curating and sharing valuable resources in carousels to spark discussions. ยท Benefits of...
Jun 20, 2024โข56 minโขSeason 1Ep. 104
