Instructional Design Episodes

In this episode, Holly discusses the topic of transitioning into a career in learning and development (L&D), specifically in instructional design. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being intentional and strategic in the career transition process. She suggests five key steps to take before applying for roles in the L&D industry: 1) identify what you want in a role, 2) determine which sector of L&D you want to work in (e.g., education, corporate, government, freelance, etc.), 3) conduct re...

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, we interviewed Dr. Katie Wolfe-Burelson and Marissa Gilbert from Anderson University. They discuss the Instructional Design and Learning Technology program at the university. The program is a 30-credit hour, 100% online master's degree that offers courses on various topics such as instructional design, online learning, mobile learning, and media development. The program also emphasizes collaboration, both between students and with instructors, and provides oppor...

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, hosts Holly Owens and DaNadia Johnson interview Dr. Phil Hickman, the CEO and founder of Plabook, an innovative reading technology that uses artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and speech recognition to help children learn how to read. Dr. Phil shares his extensive background in education, from being a teacher, counselor, school psychologist, assistant principal, principal, to superintendent in some of the largest school districts in the nation...

In this episode, we got to interview Josh Kamrath, CEO of Bongo, an EdTech company that uses video assessment to help learners demonstrate skills or competencies. Kamrath shares his journey from being the first employee of Bongo to becoming its CEO. He discusses the role of AI in education, particularly in facilitating personalized learning and validating learners' knowledge. Kamrath also highlights the importance of data privacy and security in EdTech, and how Bongo ensures both. He envisions a...

In a fabulous demo, Anna Poli, a senior instructional designer with iSpring, demonstrated the capabilities of iSpring's suite of tools. The tools include a demo of IPR, a tool that allows users to create interactive content, and iSpring Space, an online course builder and sharing service. Poli also highlighted the tool's AI capabilities, which can suggest course titles, create course outlines, write assignments, create quiz questions, and simplify language. The AI also supports multiple language...

Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson discussed their experiences transitioning into instructional design and ed tech roles. They emphasized the importance of knowing what you want to do, conducting thorough research, and networking. They also highlighted the value of freelancing to gain experience and build a resume. They recommended using Teal, a job search platform that helps track applications and provides resources for job seekers. They also suggested spending 20 minutes a day on job searching to a...

In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the visionary Luis Malbas, the brilliant mind behind the Training, Learning Development Community and Conference (TLDC). Join us as we delve into Luis's inspiring journey, from his early days in video stores and manufacturing to becoming a trailblazer in the e-Learning Guild and ultimately founding TLDC to address crucial gaps in the learning and development (L&D) industry. Join us in this enlightening conversation with Luis Malbas as we...

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, the hosts interview Aaron King, a solutions engineer at Blackboard Anthology and the owner of Snack Size Learning. Aaron shares his journey from being a rapper and music producer to becoming an instructional designer and e-learning developer. He discusses the importance of personalization and competency-based learning in the future of education. Aaron also highlights the role of technology, such as AI and Universal Design for Learning, in enhancing the learning ...

In this episode of EdUp EdTech we got to chat with the amazing Anna Poli, a Senior Instructional Designer at iSpring Solutions. Anna shares her journey from technical support engineer to instructional designer, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and growth. She discusses the various features of iSpring, including its user-friendly platform for creating interactive e-learning courses and its robust feedback system. Anna also reveals upcoming features, such as improved social learn...

Chelsea Averitt, founder of SKIP, a job board for remote roles in education technology, discussed the current state of the EdTech job market. She highlighted the top three remote roles that educators are transitioning into customer success, program management, and instructional design. Averitt also emphasized the importance of salary transparency and the need for educators to identify and leverage their skills when transitioning into these roles. She noted that educators often undersell themselv...