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In this episode of Demystifying Instructional Design, guest host Nicole Taylor sits down with Ethan Webb, CEO and co-founder of Mindsmith, an AI-powered course authoring tool. They explore how AI is reshaping the instructional design workflow, the evolution of Mindsmith from a college startup to a leading corporate learning platform, and what the future holds for AI-driven learning. From dynamic SCORM innovations to designing for accessibility and real-time collaboration, Ethan shares insights on building edtech with purpose, embracing disruption, and empowering instructional designers to work smarter—not harder.

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In this podcast episode, Rob Pearson, a seasoned instructional designer with nearly 40 years of experience, shares his journey into the field and his current role as an instructor at UMass Boston. He highlights his early start in instructional design and his long career working on the vendor side, particularly during the early days of e-learning. Rob reflects on the diverse backgrounds of students entering the field and emphasizes the importance of integrating learning theories with instructional design models like ADDIE. He finds teaching to be an eye-opening experience, deepening his understanding of the profession.
Rob also discusses the evolving nature of instructional design and the rapid changes in both technology and learning science. He stresses the need for instructional designers to innovate and adapt, especially in an era where tools like AI are revolutionizing the field. Rob highlights AI’s potential to enhance productivity, particularly in tasks like analysis and content development, which can be done much faster using AI tools like ChatGPT. He encourages aspiring instructional designers to embrace AI to streamline processes, though he also cautions against seeing it as a shortcut for critical thinking and creativity.
Looking ahead, Rob remains optimistic about the future of instructional design, particularly in the areas of analysis and design within the ADDIE framework. He encourages newcomers to see themselves as problem solvers and valuable contributors within organizations rather than mere course creators. Rob also believes there is great potential in making instructional design an undergraduate discipline, as many people only discover it later in their careers. His advice to students is clear: embrace your role as creative problem-solvers.d

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In this episode of Demystifying Instructional Design, I sit down with the Jane Bozarth for a candid, insightful, and often hilarious conversation about how our field has evolved, the impact of communities of practice, and what still holds true in instructional design today. Jane takes us through her journey from being an enthusiastic classroom trainer back in the pre-Internet days to becoming a well-respected voice in e-learning, social learning, and workplace training. Her stories bring to life the real-world changes she’s witnessed over the years, from mailing out VHS tapes to working with Dreamweaver and now navigating the fast-paced world of AI.

A big theme in our conversation is the difference between groups, interest-based spaces, and genuine communities of practice. Jane breaks down what really makes a community thrive. Spoiler alert: it takes more than just creating a discussion board and hoping people will engage. We talk about how communities function as living systems, with different levels of participation, and how they need purpose, intention, and care to really grow. Jane also shares some of the challenges that can come up, like groupthink, elitism, or performative participation, and how these can easily derail even the most well-intentioned efforts.

Another topic we dig into is the tension between education and entertainment. Jane doesn’t hold back when it comes to the rise of “dancing cats” and over-the-top gamified experiences. Sure, they might be fun, but are they actually helping people learn? We discuss how easy it is to get swept up by new tools and trends, and why it’s so important to stay grounded in evidence-based practice. This part of the conversation leads us into learning styles, where Jane shares some fascinating research that challenges the idea that teaching to a learner’s preferred style improves outcomes. Despite the evidence, this myth still lingers in our field.

We also talk about the role of social media in shaping our professional identities. Jane reflects on her early days in Twitter-based spaces like #LearnChat, how those communities helped shape her career, and how she’s now experimenting with newer platforms like BlueSky. Her message is simple but powerful: what you put into a community is what you get out of it. If you never speak up, ask questions, or share, you’re unlikely to build meaningful connections. But if you show up consistently and contribute, those networks can become incredibly valuable.

To wrap things up, Jane offers a thoughtful look at what has stood the test of time. Tools and technologies may come and go, but the heart of instructional design remains steady: understanding learners, setting clear goals, and designing with purpose. Her advice is a reminder to keep learning, stay focused on what matters, and continue showing up for the communities that support us.

This is an episode for anyone who cares about building better learning experiences and stronger professional communities.

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In this episode of Demystifying Instructional Design, Rebecca interviews Dr. Luke Hobson, an instructional design leader at MIT and educator at the University of Miami, to explore the intersection of instructional design and generative AI. Dr. Hobson shares his experiences integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into the ADDIE model to streamline processes such as crafting learning objectives, creating simulations, and personalizing learning tracks. He emphasizes the importance of experimentation in mastering AI and highlights the challenges, including limitations in accuracy and adaptability. Together, they discuss the future of instructional design, from immersive learning environments to AI-powered personalized education, offering insights into how AI can enhance, rather than replace, the work of instructional designers.

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Unlock the secrets to harnessing the power of generative AI in instructional design with our special guest, Jeremy Tuttle, Director of Learning Design at Niche Academy. Jeremy shares his firsthand experiences using tools like ChatGPT and Adobe Illustrator, revealing practical insights on their applications and limitations. Learn why creating effective learning materials still demands significant human intervention for editing and fact-checking, and discover the challenges of aligning AI-generated images with specific design needs.

As we explore the broader landscape, we draw intriguing parallels between the current AI integration process and the early days of UX/UI design. Hear about the balance required between pushing the boundaries of innovation and maintaining practicality, underscored by a nostalgic anecdote about the evolution from MySpace's customizable pages to today's streamlined interfaces. We also delve into future trends such as learner personalization, chatbots, and the critical role user feedback plays in refining AI applications.

Finally, we tackle the ethical dimensions of using AI in creative fields. From the necessity of artists' consent and fair compensation to the complexities of AI training pools, we leave no stone unturned. Drawing a provocative analogy to the Napster era, we question the implications of AI-generated art on the value of creativity. This episode is a compelling exploration of the intersection between technology and artistry, advocating for stronger protections to ensure art continues to thrive in the age of AI. Join us for an essential conversation that challenges and enlightens.

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Stephanie Smith is the Learning and Design Manager for Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. located in Westminster Colorado. She has experience in training and development for a variety of industries including energy, safety, software, sales, customer service, medical management industries. Specializing in eLearning, learning architecture, learning platforms, and learning management systems, Stephanie has a proven track record of successful implementation of learning systems. She has experience creating solutions for human performance issues, leadership development, apprenticeship programs and change management course development. Stephanie has a BA in Speech and Media Communications from Colorado State University, a BA in Education, and a Master’s in Information Learning Technologies, eLearning Design and Implementation from University of Colorado. Stephanie manages the Learning and Development and Training Managers Group on Facebook, which supports members with management issues, metrics, ROI and other instructional design issues. As well as the Instructional Design and eLearning Community page.

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Jeremy Tuttle is the Director of Learning Design for Niche Academy where he leads a fantastic team of creative people. He has designed instruction for asynchronous online delivery since 2016 and has been in the education space since 2009. While At Niche Academy he has overseen the creation of over 400 tutorials, and for his previous employer he wrote microcredentials on topics like Criteria and Rubrics and Formative/Summative Assessments. He has a Bachelors of Science in Digital Film and Video Production from the Art Institute of Salt Lake City, and he will graduate in Spring 2023 with an M.Ed in Instructional Design from the University of Massachusetts Boston. 

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In this episode I interview Autumm Caines and Lance Eaton about ChatGPT and how they see it affecting higher ed and instructional design from a variety of perspectives. This episode is insightful and also humorous at times.

Autumm Caines:
Autumm Caines is a liminal space. Part technologist, part artist, part manager, part synthesizer she aspires to be mostly educator. You will find Autumm at the place where different disciplines and fields intersect, always on the threshold, and trying to learn something new. Autumm currently works full-time as an Instructional Designer at the University of Michigan – Dearborn and part-time as Instructional Faculty at College Unbound where she teaches courses in Digital Citizenship as well as Web and Digital Portfolio.

Lance Eaton:
Lance Eaton is the Director of Digital Pedagogy at College Unbound, a part-time instructor at North Shore Community College and Southern New Hampshire University, and a PhD student at the University of Massachusetts, Boston with a dissertation that focuses on how scholars engage in academic piracy. He has given talks, written about, and presented at conferences on artificial intelligence generative tools in education, academic piracy, open access, OER, open pedagogy, hybrid flexible learning, and digital service-learning. His musings, reflections, and ramblings can be found on his blog: http://www.ByAnyOtherNerd.com as well as on Twitter: @leaton01

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Mindsmith is an AI-powered microlearning authoring tool built for the average user. They focus on intuitive interfaces and collaboration that empowers anyone to create beautiful elearning lessons/trainings, whether you are a manager of a small team, a full-time instructional designer, or a busy college professor.

Their BookerAIᵝ features enable users to overcome writer's block and the intimidation of starting lessons from scratch. Currently, users can generate outlines, individual cards, or large sections of multiple cards. In the future, users will be able to generate full lessons from scratch or upload their current pdfs/powerpoints to generate content.

In this episode I have a conversation with: Ethan Webb (Head of Product), Zack Allen (Chief Technology Officer), and Christy Graves (Head Designer).

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Janet Lee (Janet’s LinkedIn Profile) is an Instructional Designer specializing in practical professional development strategies and content development for professors wishing to transition meaning-full training from face-to-face to online learning. She has a varied background in international K-12/higher education including curriculum development publications, international speaking, media literacy, and micro-learning video production. Currently, she is a Lead Learning Architect and inspirational speaker working on various projects in higher education. She likes being known for inspiring teams with a fun practical approach @fenixliteracy

Darlesa Cahoon (Darlesa’s LinkedIn Profile) has been an instructional designer and learning technologist for over 15 years with 10 of those working for the Port of Seattle at Seattle Tacoma International Airport. She holds an MA in Instructional Technology from University of Colorado at Denver. She gets excited about imagining and developing online, hybrid, and instructor-led learning experiences which grab attention, encourage reflection, get learners laughing, sharing, and playing and motivating them to improve their lives … and at times simply making compliance training as painless as possible!

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