In this episode of Inside the Learning Experience, host Omid Fotuhi, the former Director of Learning Innovation at WGU Labs, sits down with Katy Kappler, Co-founder and CEO of InScribe, to explore how digital communities are transforming online education.

Katy shares her journey from the early days of eCollege to founding InScribe, a platform designed to foster connection, belonging, and social capital among nontraditional and online learners. Together, they discuss why a sense of belonging is critical for student success, how AI can support (without replacing) human connection, and why the future of online education depends on designing for community.

🎧 Tune in to learn how intentional community-building can turn isolation into inclusion — and make online learning more human than ever before.

This episode highlights students' perceptions, usage, and expectations regarding AI in higher education, particularly within online learning environments. Data from WGU Labs’ survey of over 4600 students suggests that respondents are largely optimistic about AI's potential for personalized learning, however, significant gender disparities in AI confidence and usage exist. The findings underscore the critical need for expanded AI literacy, ethical implementation, and student-centered design of AI tools in education. Access the published report here.

Inside the Learning Experience explores the future of education through conversations with experts in learning design, technology, and academic research, diving into the evolution of learning, the challenges students face, and how we can create more effective, equitable, and impactful educational experiences.

How can artificial intelligence transform the way we teach and learn? In this episode of Inside the Learning Experience, host Omid Fotuhi, Director of Learning Innovation at WGU Labs, sits down with Lita Simanga-Hooper, a seasoned educator and instructional design expert at Labs, to explore the fast-changing role of instruction in a world transformed by artificial intelligence. 👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights on the future of education.

What does it mean to “live in the tension” of AI and education? In this episode, host Omid Fotuhi speaks with Tadd Farmer, Senior Learning Experience Designer at WGU Labs, to explore the tensions and opportunities at the intersection of learning design and artificial intelligence.

Omid Fotuhi and Katrina Wehr Gould, lead learning experience designer at WGU Labs, explore how AI is transforming assessment from a one-time judgment into a personalized, ongoing learning journey. They discuss the potential for technology to capture authentic growth, support intrinsic motivation, and create a more inclusive, empowering educational experience.

Inside the Learning Experience features conversations with experts in learning design, technology, and academic research—unpacking the future of education, student challenges, and how innovation can drive more effective and equitable learning environments.

A new microcredential from WGU Academy and WGU Labs is helping adult learners build practical leadership skills for frontline roles in retail, hospitality, and food service—bridging the gap between education and employment with research-driven, scenario-based design.

Inside the Learning Experience explores the future of education through conversations with experts in learning design, technology, and academic research, diving into the evolution of learning, the challenges students face, and how we can create more effective, equitable, and impactful educational experiences.

New research from WGU Labs and SAVI sheds light on who is struggling most as student loan payments resume. This episode explores what the data reveals about repayment challenges, persistent disparities, and the borrowers left behind.

Inside the Learning Experience explores the future of education through conversations with experts in learning design, technology, and academic research, diving into the evolution of learning, the challenges students face, and how we can create more effective, equitable, and impactful educational experiences.

In this episode of Inside the Learning Experience, WGU Labs delves into the challenges faced by students who leave college without completing their degrees. Through expert insights and data-driven analysis, the discussion sheds light on the systemic barriers and personal circumstances that contribute to non-completion. The episode also explores strategies that institutions can implement to better support these students, aiming to foster a more inclusive and effective higher education system.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how higher education can evolve to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring that more students have the opportunity to achieve their academic goals.

From WGU Labs, Research Director Dr. Bethany Gross and Learning Experience Designer Christine McDonough explore what it really takes to build AI tutors that go beyond question-and-answer exchanges. They discuss how learning science, adaptive instruction, and multi-agent systems are transforming the way students engage with content—and how AI can create more personalized, dynamic, and scalable learning experiences rooted in real mastery.

Inside the Learning Experience explores the future of education through conversations with experts in learning design, technology, and academic research, diving into the evolution of learning, the challenges students face, and how we can create more effective, equitable, and impactful educational experiences.

From WGU Labs, Research Director Dr. Betheny Gross and Lead Learning Experience Designer Lesley Reilly, discuss the impact of AI on educational assessments and how it’s shaping the future of teaching by creating interactive scenarios that allow students to practice skills in a safe, low-risk environment.

Inside the Learning Experience explores the future of education through conversations with experts in learning design, technology, and academic research, diving into the evolution of learning, the challenges students face, and how we can create more effective, equitable, and impactful educational experiences.