Summary
In this conversation, David Kolmer and Josh Penzel delve into the intersection of creative processes, instructional design, and the role of AI in augmenting human performance. They draw parallels between theater and instructional design, emphasizing the importance of engagement and coaching in facilitating learning. The discussion also touches on the variability of AI and its implications for performance in various fields.
Alternate Universe Titles
All the World’s a Classroom: Theater, AI, and the Art of Learning Design
The Art of Instructional Design
Bridging Theater and Learning
Directing Learning: When Instructional Design Takes the Stage
From Stagecraft to Skillcraft: The Creative Practice of Instructional Design
Takeaways
Creative processes are integral to instructional design.
Theater metaphors can enhance understanding of learning objectives.
AI's human-like operation adds variability to performance.
Instructional designers act as directors in the learning process.
Engagement is key to effective instructional design.
Coaching learners is essential for their success.
Reading and engaging with the humanities can inspire creativity.
Performance reviews can be likened to theatrical performances.
The role of the designer is crucial in creating learning experiences.
Finding unique paths can lead to significant outcomes.
Sound bites
"AI operates more like a human."
"How do I let you do it?"
"Rock and roll."
Chapters
00:00 The Creative Journey Begins
03:08 The Role of the Director in Instructional Design
05:34 Engaging with the Humanities and AI
07:36 GL-ALIVE-Closer
Keywords
creative process, instructional design, theater, AI, engagement, performance, learning objectives, content curation, human variability, coaching
GAMELAYER Alive Gameified Podcast Creation. Recorded live on site at GAMICON 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is a mini-series that highlights experts in the field of game learning, simple practitioners, and even those who are just curious, who happen to be at the conference. These high signal micro-episodes will be released daily, January 2026.
This miniseries itself is organized through a card game that promotes conversations through self-hugging. Self-hugging is the aspect or tendency of a designer to create learning environments or artifacts that they themselves would enjoy consuming. This is seen as a negative practice in the game-learning industry. However, for a discussion, self-hugging is actually pretty useful.
In this game, practitioners will identify with one of five cards. The cards are laid out on a spectrum of potential personas. Starting with the scientist on one and the Mystic on the other, after selecting their persona card, the speaker will be guided to choose one of three topic cards. The topic of building, the topic of measuring out outcomes, or the topic of the future of the L&D industry.
CREDITS
GAMELAYER RADIO is found wherever you get your podcasts. Transcripts and swag at Gamelayer.fm
Theme Music by Caleb Willitz. calebwillitz.com/ calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music
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