It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we keep creating “champagne learning” when we’re working with a tap-water budget?
On this episode of the our Coffee Chat, the topic was all about getting scrappy, smart, and a little bit creative with the tools we already have. It’s that time of year when budgets tighten, priorities shift, and somehow the expectation still remains to deliver polished, high-impact learning. The challenge? Making it sparkle without spending a fortune.
The group shared clever ways to stretch every dollar—using project management tools like Smartsheet, Trello, or Asana for learning paths and workflows. Others found creative substitutes for full-blown LMS platforms by using SharePoint, Confluence, or even Google Sites to organize and deliver learning content. It was proof that innovation often comes from limitation.
We also explored design tools that do more than their job description. Canva and Vengage stood out for creating beautiful workbooks, infographics, and learning assets, while newer AI tools like Notebook LM and Napkin AI opened doors for curation, quick visuals, and even podcast-style learning recaps. When paired smartly, free and low-cost tools like these can create the illusion of a big-budget experience.
The conversation wrapped with a simple reminder—great learning design isn’t about price tags, it’s about creativity and resourcefulness. Whether you’re repurposing tools, experimenting with AI, or reimagining what “good” looks like, the goal is the same: to make learning feel valuable, no matter the budget.
Stay curious!
-Shannon
Video
Transcript
Transcript Summary
Chatbox
Resources
Notebook LM Overview
Cost-Effective Training: Leveraging Free Tools And Resources
From AI to Interactivity: What’s New (and Next) in Canva
Figjam: A collaborative online whiteboard that helps teams brainstorm, map out ideas, and create training workflows in real-time.
7 Taps: A mobile-first microlearning platform that lets you quickly create short, engaging learning modules with no design skills required.
Napkin.AI: An AI-powered tool that helps visualize and map out complex ideas or concepts into simple diagrams and knowledge graphs.
Manifestly: A checklist and workflow automation tool that helps streamline recurring training processes and improve accountability.
Camtasia: A powerful screen recording and video editing software ideal for creating polished instructional videos and tutorials.
Genially: A versatile tool for creating interactive presentations, infographics, and training materials with built-in gamification.
H5P: An open-source tool that enables you to create interactive learning content—like quizzes, presentations, and videos—directly in your LMS or website.
Slidemodel: Offers professional PowerPoint templates that help educators and trainers quickly build visually appealing slide decks.
Screencastify: A browser-based screen recorder that allows you to create quick, shareable video tutorials directly from Chrome.
Vyond: A user-friendly platform for creating animated training videos that explain concepts clearly and boost learner engagement.
Wellsaid: Uses AI voice technology to turn text into realistic voiceovers, perfect for narrating training videos and eLearning content.
Envato: A marketplace offering templates, graphics, and stock assets to enhance the visual design of training materials.
Amazon Polly: Converts text to lifelike speech using AI, allowing you to add natural-sounding voiceovers to training content.
Intellum: A comprehensive learning management platform that supports scalable employee, customer, and partner education programs.
Books
Instructional Design on a Shoestring by Brian Washburn
Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology by Robert A. Reiser, Alison A. Carr-Chellman, and John V. Dempsey
50 Ways to Speed Up Instructional Design with AI (Training with AI) by Steve Rosenbaum
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Host: Shannon Tipton
Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
