McKenzie Day, PMP’s Post

🚨 Instructional Designers, brace yourselves! 🚨 AI isn’t just a tool—it’s your new colleague. The old "divide and conquer" approach where AI handles repetitive tasks while you focus on creativity? That’s outdated. The future is in the *Partnership Model*: AI as your constant thought partner, enhancing every step of your workflow, from strategy to execution. This means mastering AI-human collaboration, prompt engineering, and critical analysis. Adapt or get left behind. The post-AI instructional designer isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about redefining the game. Link in the comments to Dr Philippa Hardman's Substack Post for more details. Ready? Let’s lead this transformation! 💥

A little peek into my neurodivergent brain: 🧠✨ For me, concepts only truly click when I can see them in some shape or form. Welcome to my world! 👀 As someone with a neurodivergent mind, ideas often remain abstract until I transform them into visuals. It's like my brain has a "visualize to understand" setting that's permanently switched on. I recently came across a LinkedIn post about how Instructional Design theories are all interrelated. To make sense of it, I created this visual to help form a cohesive picture. The final version of the visual I created has way more connected lines between each concept, but I spared you the headache of looking at what would essentially be colorful scribbles! 😆 This colorful mind map, however, made everything click for me. It's not just a drawing; it's how my brain organizes and processes information. From the ADDIE model to Backward Design, from Action Mapping to Kirkpatrick's Evaluation Model – suddenly, these concepts had a visual home in my mind. I hope this serves as a reminder to Instructional Designers (and everyone else), that there's no one "right" way to learn or understand. That's precisely why it's so crucial to differentiate instructional methods when creating training or content. We all process information differently, and embracing that diversity leads to more effective learning experiences for everyone. I'm curious if you can recognize what each icon represents under each framework. #NeurodivergentThinking #InstructionalDesign #VisualLearning #DiverseLearning

Transitioning teachers might be curious…what do instructional designers actually DO? Here is an example of a real world project I am working on this month. I am serving as the technical project manager for the creation of an internal digital product that will support our delivery teams. We have a content developer, UX designer, digital librarian, accessibility consultant, and communications specialist on the team. My role is to execute the rollout of releases like the MVP and a soft launch. Using Azure DevOps, I make sure everyone's work is visible and in alignment with the roadmap. It's a challenging and exciting deviation from standard instructional design work. There you have it, a real world instructional design project. #TechnicalTraining #CustomerEducation #InstructionalDesigner #FormerTeacher #TransitioningTeachers Image Description: A photo of a woman working on a laptop with the text “Real World Projects”

L&D folks tend to emphasize studies (learning "science") or technology (learning "tools") in their design. We rarely talk to real learners. When we do, it's often to highlight their ignorance ("Can you believe this guy said he was a visual learner?!?") or dismiss the value of their input ("No thanks, we need * real * data.") But just like user experience designers rely on user feedback experience, and service designers rely on stakeholder feedback, learning designers need to listen to learner experience. What's their environment like? What is their cognitive load? How much time do they have? What resources are available to them? Where do they feel confused, frustrated, challenged, or rewarded? How can we design learning to deliver information and skills as efficiently as possible?

Instructional Designers have been "prompt" engineers for years. Instead of prompting SMEs, now we are "prompting" machines. If you are looking for a great "prompt" engineer, look at your instructional designers. Image created by #chatgpt #promptengineer #instructionaldesigner

I always enjoy Dr Philippa Hardman's substack. This week she points to some interesting data on how Instructional Designer roles are evolving. The trend toward SMEs becoming instructional designers is interesting. I see instructional design as a significantly growing field, but with more technical and SME skill than in the past (to work with AIs). It's also a general direction I see many jobs trending. More interdisciplinary. More meta-skills. #ai #instructionaldesign #curriculum #highered https://lnkd.in/e52bVJCc

I often get asked by #transitioningteachers to share examples of good portfolios of #instructionaldesigners. So I am happy to share four remarkable instructional designers with portfolios that stand out for their vibe, innovation, and finesse. Each one showcases a unique blend of creativity and instructional prowess. 🌟 1. Cath Ellis - What sets their portfolio apart is the seamless integration of technology and pedagogy, making complex subjects accessible and engaging. Check them out: https://www.cathellis.com/ 2. Maxine Joyce - Their portfolio is a testament to their storytelling ability, transforming traditional content into compelling learning experiences. Her look is clean and modern! Check them out: https://lnkd.in/eNER6knd 3. Amanda Nguyễn 👽 - Distinguished by their focus on user experience, their designs ensure that learning is not just effective but also delightful. Check them out: https://lnkd.in/eKM2JnKr 4. Shirleen (Lin) Wong - They master the art of simplicity, demonstrating that clarity and simplicity in design can powerfully convey deep educational concepts. Check them out: https://lnkd.in/epj9_zQ2 Each of these professionals exemplifies the power of thoughtful instructional design in creating impactful learning experiences. Be sure to explore their work for a dose of inspiration and share YOUR FAVORITE portfolios below! 🚀 #InstructionalDesign #eLearning #LearningAndDevelopment #EdTech #DigitalLearning #UserExperience #VisualLearning #CreativeDesign #EducationInnovation #InstructionalDesigners #creativity #resources #branding #education

"If your audience can't understand it, does your innovation even matter?" As an instructional designer with 11 years of experience under my belt, I’ve learned that clarity is not just a skill—it’s an art. In the tech industry, where I’ve spent much of my career, innovation often comes with intricate systems and jargon. For global audiences, this poses a unique challenge. Not everyone speaks the language of APIs, integrations, or automation—but everyone deserves to understand the value those tools provide. These scenarios demand writers who can: 1. Empathize with the audience. 👥 Every person—whether a software engineer in San Francisco or a citizen developer in Berlin—brings a different perspective. Effective communication meets people where they are. 2. Cut through the noise. 🔇 Complex ideas are powerful, but only when expressed simply. Breaking down intricate processes into plain, clear language ensures that innovation is understood—and acted upon. 3. Balance accuracy with accessibility. ⚖️ Miscommunication isn’t just inconvenient; it can have serious consequences. Precision and clarity must go hand-in-hand. This ability to simplify isn’t just a “nice to have”; it’s a critical skill across industries. Strong communication fuels collaboration, inspires trust, and ensures that great ideas reach the people who need them most. Remember: the most impactful content doesn’t just inform—it connects. #ContentDesign #InstructionalDesign #TechCommunications

Earlier today I attended a webinar on AI-powered instructional design! Excited to apply new techniques, unlock the potential of prompt engineering, and take training programs to new heights! #learnworlds #coursemasters #ai #lifelonglearner #instructionaldesign #leaderscreateleaders

How are you thinking about your job descriptions and budgets when you hire instructional designers? A critical part of being effective is having the right tools and software. * In the age of #AI are you budgeting for new annual costs? * What else should be on the list? #instructionaldesign #learninganddevelopment