Whether you're brand new to the field or just looking for a refresher, today's episode will help you understand what constructivism is, how it's applied in instructional design, and how you can begin to incorporate it into your own practice. Constructivist Learning Theory transforms how we understand the learning process, positioning learners as active builders of knowledge rather than passive recipients of information. Whether you're new to instructional design or looking to refresh yo...

Ever feel like your instructional design is missing that special something that makes learning truly stick? The answer might lie in the way you're structuring your content. In this episode, we explore Elaboration Theory—a powerful approach developed by Charles Reigeluth that transforms how we sequence learning experiences. Whether you're designing for a classroom, workplace training, or online learning, this episode provides actionable strategies to implement right away. As Reigeluth himself...

What happens when you're thrown into a college classroom with zero preparation and told, "You start tomorrow"? Dr. Albert Bramante faced exactly this scenario when he unexpectedly became a psychology professor overnight. His remarkable journey from panicked novice to confident educator reveals powerful lessons about authenticity, intuition, and finding your teaching voice. For educators battling self-doubt, Dr. Bramante offers practical wisdom: reconnect with your "why," surround yourself wi...

Tracy King's journey from accidental instructional designer to learning strategist reveals the transformative power of well-designed training experiences. As founder and CEO of InspirEd, they have built their career on making learning accessible and impactful for everyone—especially those whose needs are often overlooked. One in five learners is neurodivergent, yet traditional training methods frequently create barriers rather than bridges. Tracy breaks down how neuro-inclusive learning appr...

Ever wondered what separates truly effective learning experiences from those that fade from memory as soon as the lesson ends? The answer might lie in applying Merrill's First Principles of Instruction – a powerful framework that transcends delivery methods to focus on how people actually learn. This episode dives deep into Dr. M. David Merrill's five core principles that transform ordinary instruction into meaningful learning: problem-centered learning, activation of prior knowledge, demons...

Feeling overwhelmed by tight deadlines and shifting expectations in your instructional design projects? Discover how Rapid Prototyping can transform your approach to creating effective learning experiences. Rapid prototyping flips traditional design on its head by encouraging you to start with rough drafts—low-fidelity prototypes—instead of waiting until the end to test a final version. Through a continuous cycle of design, test, tweak, and repeat, you'll create learning products that genuin...

In the latest episode of the Designing with Love podcast, host Jackie Pelegrin engages in an enlightening conversation with Grant Fullenbach, founder of GO First Consulting. The episode explores the fascinating intersection between construction methodologies and instructional design principles, revealing how systems thinking can transform businesses across industries. Imagine saving your business $27,000 with just one extra measurement check. That's the power of systems thinking, and it's tra...

Have you ever struggled to create courses that truly engage your learners? The Dick and Carey model might be the game-changer you've been seeking. Unlike traditional linear approaches, this powerful framework views instructional design as a recipe where each ingredient affects the final outcome. For beginners, the model offers essential guidance through potentially overwhelming design processes. The systematic approach helps you resist the temptation to skip crucial planning stages. By spend...

Navigating the world of instructional design can be confusing when similar-sounding concepts appear to overlap. That's exactly the challenge many ID professionals face when distinguishing between human-centered design and learner-centered design. The key differences emerge in their focus (all users versus learners only), goals (holistic experience versus learning outcomes), and methodologies. Human-centered design employs design thinking, empathy mapping, and prototyping, while learner-cente...

When Jim Edwards graduated with a history degree in the 1980s, he never imagined he'd become a pioneer in AI-powered copywriting. After bouncing between seven sales jobs in 18 months, he discovered his talent for persuasion, eventually building a six-figure career in mortgage sales before turning to entrepreneurship. What followed was a fascinating evolution from rejected author to software developer to AI innovator. During our conversation, Jim delivered a powerful message about AI that chal...

Struggling with designing effective learning for complex skills? The Four-Component Instructional Design Model (4C/ID) might be exactly what you need in your instructional design toolkit. Most traditional learning models start with content and theory, expecting learners to somehow piece together application later. The 4C/ID model flips this approach on its head by starting with realistic whole tasks and building support around them, making learning immediately relevant and practical. This po...

What happens when you launch a learning experience that misses the mark despite solid content? The critical missing ingredient might be a deep understanding of your audience. In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked foundation of effective instructional design: learner needs assessment and persona creation. Drawing from years of experience, Jackie breaks down why understanding your audience is step one of truly human-centered design. She explores five practical methods for assessing ...

When the classroom feels like a battlefield, who's there to pull you through? In this illuminating conversation with Dr. Goodier, we dive deep into the concept of "educational trenches" – those challenging periods when educators question their professional path. For instructional designers and those developing professional development, she provides actionable advice: know your audience, focus on outcomes, scaffold appropriately, and respect educators' time with blended learning approaches th...

Shannon Boyer shatters the myth of passive income in online education, revealing why high-quality courses require active engagement and student-centered design. Drawing from her 17 years of experience developing innovative college programs, she now helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs transform their expertise into meaningful learning experiences. Shannon's passion for student success shines through as she discusses the critical components many course creators mistakenly eliminate: guided pract...

Ever wondered why traditional learning designs feel increasingly outdated in our digital world? The answer lies in Connectivism: a revolutionary approach that's reshaping how effective learning happens today. Connectivism recognizes that in our networked age, learning isn't confined to classrooms or individual minds. Instead, it flows through connections between people, technologies, and information sources. As George Siemens wisely noted, "The pipe is more important than the content within ...

Have you ever created a learning experience that left you wondering whether your learners truly understood the point? Backward Design might be the solution you've been seeking. This transformative approach flips the traditional instructional design process on its head by starting with clear learning outcomes before planning activities or selecting content. Throughout this episode, I break down each stage with practical examples, like designing customer service training where representatives ...

How do you know if your learning experiences actually worked? The answer goes far beyond handing out smiley face surveys at the end of training. The Kirkpatrick Model stands as one of the most trusted frameworks for evaluating training effectiveness, and for good reason. Developed in the 1950s, this four-level approach helps instructional designers measure what truly matters, from learner reactions all the way to organizational results. Whether you're creating corporate training or education...

What if everything we thought we knew about dyslexia was backward? Russell Van Brocklen, who is the self-described "Dyslexic Professor," turns conventional wisdom on its head with a revolutionary approach that's changing lives and saving families thousands of dollars in specialized education costs. Russell's methodology produced remarkable results in a New York State Senate-funded program. His three-part approach starts with students' special interests (whether Disney, Theodore Roosevelt, or...

Accessibility isn't an afterthought; it's the foundation of great instructional design. Have you ever designed a course only to realize not everyone can access it? Or did you receive an accessibility requirement that left you scratching your head? You're not alone. Universal Design for Learning, also known as UDL, offers a powerful framework that transforms how we approach learning design, and it's simpler than you might think. Ready to elevate your instructional design practice? Pick one le...

Struggling to create multimedia content that truly engages your learners without overwhelming them? This episode delivers the solution you've been searching for. Mayer's 12 Multimedia Principles provide a powerful, research-based framework that transforms how we approach instructional design. Based on cognitive science and the realities of how our brains process information, these principles offer clear guidance for creating content that genuinely enhances learning rather than simply decorati...