Robin Sargent, Ph.D. Instructional Designer-Online Learning's Linkedin Analytics

🚨 Still stuck thinking instructional design is just about making slides? Think again. Tomorrow, we’re going beyond the basics with Karl Kapp, a leading voice in learning science, serious games, and instructional strategy. 🧠 Whether you’re a teacher in transition, a new ID, or already in the field, this free IDOL webinar is your chance to learn: - How to leverage gamification to drive behavior change - Why engagement isn’t enough (and what really matters) - What IDs can actually learn from game design 🎯 If you’re serious about leveling up your skills (and building a portfolio that stands out), this is one event you can’t afford to miss. 🗓️ Webinar: Tomorrow, April 1st (this is not an April fools joke)- 2PM ET 🎟️ Register: https://lnkd.in/euSzs6dE Tag a fellow ID who needs this! #InstructionalDesign #IDOLAcademy #LearningDesign #Gamification #KarlKapp #IDCareers

I'm exited about this one! Join me March 20th: https://lnkd.in/eSrj-b4m

Join me live today - 2pm EST to talk about IDOL On Demand’s closeout and answer all your questions!  💥LIVE Q&A – Get your questions answered about IDOL On Demand’s last days! 💥PRIZES! – Show up live for your chance to win. 💥EXCLUSIVE BONUS #1– Enroll with a friend, tag them, and BOTH of you get free Canva Pro for a year inside our Canva Campus! Write their name during checkout and we'll take care of the rest. 💥EXCLUSIVE BONUS #2 – The next 30 people to enroll during the live session get a free private group coaching session with Dr. Robin!

Are you leveraging immersive tech for learning? Think back to when you learned a complex skill. Did reading about it in a textbook suffice? Probably not. Now, imagine stepping into a simulated environment where you can practice, fail safely, and get instant feedback. That’s the power of AR/VR in learning. 🚀 Doctors practice surgeries in VR before performing them on real patients. 🚀 Corporate teams train in simulated customer interactions to refine their skills. 🚀 Manufacturing employees learn safety protocols in risk-free environments. Immersive learning boosts engagement, retention, and confidence. Yet, many organizations haven’t tapped into its full potential. 📢 What’s your take—how have you seen AR/VR used effectively in training? #ImmersiveLearning #InstructionalDesign #EdTech

Congratulations 🎉 Nadine Chamma for earning the eLearning Development Badge! This is a huge accomplishment. Let's all give them some love 💚. If you want to earn your eLearning Developer credential from the best vocational school in the industry check out IDOL courses On Demand: https://lnkd.in/eYWrTZVB Check out the eLearning badge asset here:

Thank you Dr. Jiani Wu 🌈 for sharing your passion and platform with me. I enjoyed our magical conversation and the opportunity to get a little esoteric ✨ Check out this episode and the podcast. It’s a great time to focus on the creativity that comes from being human. It’s irreplaceable. 😘

Does your workplace learning system feel outdated? If your organization is still relying on outdated learning systems, it might be costing more than you think—low engagement, minimal knowledge retention, and ultimately, wasted resources. Modern learning ecosystems go beyond static courses. They: 🔹 Adapt to different learning needs 🔹 Encourage social and collaborative learning 🔹 Integrate technology like AI and microlearning Want to learn how to build a modern learning experience? Check out my conversation with JD Dillon on the IDOL Podcast! We break down what works, what doesn’t, and how to create a learning ecosystem that drives real impact. 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/e7wT3zVX #ModernLearning #InstructionalDesign #WorkplaceLearning

💀 Is your Learning Management System more of a digital graveyard than a thriving learning hub? We spend so much time evaluating features, integrations, and interfaces… but how often do we assess the actual learning experience housed within the LMS? You can have the most modern, intuitive platform out there—but if the content inside is uninspired, poorly structured, or disconnected from real learner needs, what’s the point? A sleek shell with lifeless material is still just a tomb for learning. 🪦 I’d argue a clunky, outdated LMS packed with thoughtful, engaging, and learner-centered content is far more powerful than a “pretty” platform that delivers forgettable click-throughs. ✨ So, let’s flip the script: What’s one flashy LMS feature you could live without? And what’s one powerful learning element you’re always fighting to make room for—whether it’s social learning, coaching, learner feedback loops, or robust analytics? Let’s talk about what really makes a learning ecosystem come alive. #LMS #InstructionalDesign #LearningTechnology #EdTech #LearningExperience

Get it here before midnight tonight EST: https://lnkd.in/eRUXybBA

Happy to be on this list. I've had the honor of interviewing awesome people in our industry, and I always learn something new. Let me know if you're a veteran who has something to share with newbie IDOLs, and I'll invite you to be a guest.

Teachers, career changers, and aspiring instructional designers—your portfolio is EVERYTHING. It’s what gets you noticed. It’s what gets you hired. But too many career changers fall into the same trap: They build a portfolio full of education-based projects instead of corporate training solutions. Here’s the problem—corporate employers aren’t looking for lesson plans or K-12 activities. They need solutions that solve business problems, improve employee performance, and impact the bottom line. So, how do you build a portfolio that speaks their language? ✅ Choose Business-Focused Topics …like onboarding, compliance, leadership, and technical training. ✅ Use the Right Formats …such as interactive eLearning, performance support tools, and Instructor-Led Training (ILT). ✅ Align with Business Goals …by applying instructional design strategies that drive measurable results. ✅ Showcase Your Tech Skills …by mastering tools like Articulate Storyline, Rise, and Vyond. ✅ Get Real-World Experience …so you’re not just learning ID—you’re doing ID. That’s exactly why IDOL Academy exists. We give you the training, mentorship, and experience opportunities you need to build a corporate-ready portfolio and land your first (or next) instructional design job—without wasting time on outdated, expensive degree programs. 💡 Ready to create a portfolio that actually gets you hired? Let’s make it happen. #TransitioningTeacher #CareerChange #AspiringInstructionalDesigner #IDOLAcademy #InstructionalDesign #CorporateTraining #LearningAndDevelopment #Elearning #PortfolioTips

Neuroscience & Learning – Why emotion matters Did you know that emotional engagement can boost learning retention by up to 30%? When learners emotionally connect with content, they: ✔️ Pay more attention ✔️ Absorb information more effectively ✔️ Retain knowledge for longer So, how do we design emotionally engaging learning? ✨ Storytelling – Real-world narratives make concepts relatable. ✨ Scenarios – Learners see themselves in the content. ✨ Visual & Emotional Design – Colors and imagery set the tone. ✨ Interactivity – Role-playing and simulations deepen engagement. Learning isn’t just about information transfer—it’s about connection. 💡 How do you use emotion to make learning more impactful? #LearningScience #InstructionalDesign #Neuroscience

Teachers + $$$ = INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNERS We had so much fun at @DLAC conference in Atlanta last month, we just had to share this t-shirt once more.

Did you know Instructional Designers work in almost every industry—including your favorite companies? 🎯 From corporate giants to tech startups, from healthcare to Hollywood, IDs are behind the learning experiences that keep industries moving forward. 💡 Corporate Training & Development – Ever wondered how employees at Google, Amazon, or Netflix stay ahead? IDs design their training! 💡 Tech & Software – Helping users and employees at Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe master new tools. 💡 Healthcare & Medical Training – Training medical professionals at Mayo Clinic, Pfizer, and beyond. 💡 Finance & Banking – Ensuring compliance and cybersecurity at JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and major banks. 💡 Retail & Hospitality – Supporting brands like Starbucks, Disney, and Nike in customer experience training. 💡 Government & Military – IDs play a role in defense, cybersecurity, and leadership development. 💡 Entertainment & Media – Even Hollywood needs instructional design! Think Disney, Warner Bros, and gaming companies training their teams. Instructional Design is everywhere. If a company needs to train, onboard, or educate—it needs an ID. What industry are you in? Or which company would be your dream ID job? 🎯👇 #InstructionalDesign #CorporateTraining #eLearning #CareerGrowth #LearningAndDevelopment

Did you know that most learners forget 70% of new information within 24 hours? 😲 The solution? Spaced repetition & practice quizzes! 🔹 Spaced Repetition: Reinforce key concepts over time instead of cramming. 🔹 Retrieval Practice: Give learners challenges to recall information instead of just re-reading it. 🔹 Chunking Information: Breaking content into smaller parts helps memory retention. These simple strategies can significantly improve retention and transform your learning programs. What’s your favorite technique for making learning stick? #LearningScience #InstructionalDesign #MemoryRetention #SpacedRepetition #Neuroscience

🔥 "Make it interactive!" — the eternal chant of stakeholders everywhere. But here’s the thing: are we mistaking activity for impact? Let’s be honest—clicking hotspots, dragging puzzle pieces, or earning virtual confetti can feel fun... but do they always deepen understanding or drive retention? Not necessarily. In fact, sometimes they distract from the actual learning goals. 🎯 True engagement isn’t about flashy interactions—it’s about intentional design. Sometimes the most powerful learning moments come from reflection, storytelling, or a well-placed case study. Not everything needs to be gamified to be effective. So let’s reframe the conversation: 🧠 What’s an “engaging” activity that actually hurt the learning? 📚 And what’s a “passive” method that led to real, lasting outcomes? Let’s stop confusing noise with meaning. #Engagement #ActiveLearning #InstructionalDesign #LearningEffectiveness #IntentionalDesign

L&D Freelancing Freedom and Success with Blaine McLaren Want to break into freelancing or scale your instructional design business? The L&D freelancing world is full of opportunities—if you know where to look. Join Blaine McLaren, an experienced talent development and instructional design expert, as he shares strategies for launching, growing, and thriving as an L&D freelancer. In this session, you’ll learn: ✅ How to start and grow a successful L&D freelance career. ✅ Finding better-paying opportunities and landing clients. ✅ Scaling your freelance business without burnout. 📅 Wednesday, APR 16th | 🕒 5PM EST 📍 Where: Live Webinar 🔥 Bonus: Get free resources when you sign up! 💬 What’s your biggest challenge in freelancing? Let’s talk in the comments! 🔗 Register now: https://buff.ly/3Q5jx1o #IDOLPresents #FreelanceSuccess #InstructionalDesign #LDfreelancing #CorporateTraining #LXD #Elearning

🔥 Still building courses the slow, hard way? You don’t have to anymore. I turned ChatGPT into my Instructional Design Assistant — and it’s been a total game-changer. 💡 Now you can build stronger courses, faster. 📋 You can simplify content. 🚀 You can automate the boring stuff. 🎯 You can focus on what really impacts learners. It’s not about replacing your creativity — it’s about amplifying it. I’ve been testing and refining prompts for months inside IDOL Academy. These are the same prompts I give our students to help them: ✅ Finish stalled course projects ✅ Reduce cognitive load ✅ Build more inclusive learning experiences ✅ Generate realistic scenario-based learning ✅ And even optimize their entire workflow If you’re an instructional designer, course creator, or learning leader — this is your shortcut to working smarter (not harder). Use them. Tweak them. Make them your own. Because the future of instructional design isn’t just about learning theory. It’s about leveraging the right tools to design with impact — and do it faster than ever before. 👇 Steal them here. You’re going to love this. #InstructionalDesign #ChatGPTforID #LXD #LearningExperienceDesign #elearningdevelopment #IDOLAcademy #DoItMessy #WorkSmarter

Had to try Mary Nunaley (MS.Ed)'s ChatGPT prompt myself! After a few creepy fails (AI really tried it 😂), I finally got something close to what I imagined. Of course I had to include my new puppy Nugget in the accessories section. I love seeing how far AI has come. While we definitely need to be mindful of how we use it professionally, I can’t help but have fun experimenting with it! Here's the prompt I used: Please create an image of an action figure in packaging. The package should be labelled "Instructional Designer' Use the attached photo as a reference for the face. She is slim build, wearing a pink suit and pink heels and holding an iPhone. The cardboard section of the package should be green. The packaging should include a dedicated section labelled 'Accessories,' which contains the following items: A laptop, a space for my labradoodle Nugget and a mug of coffee. Make the overall design visually appealing and reflective of a modern, educator Only use the attached image as a reference for the face of the character. Do not include an image of the character.

Learning styles—The myth that just won’t go away! 🚫 “I’m a visual learner.” 🚫 “I only learn by doing.” 🚫 “I need audio to understand.” Sound familiar? The learning styles myth is one of the most persistent misconceptions in education. The truth? People don’t actually learn better when material is catered to a preferred “style.” Instead, effective learning happens through research-backed strategies like: ✅ Spaced repetition – Reinforce knowledge over time. ✅ Active learning – Engage through practice and problem-solving. ✅ Scenario-based learning – Apply skills in real-world contexts. Rather than boxing learners into categories, we should focus on designing experiences that are engaging, interactive, and backed by science. 💡 Have you ever had to explain this to someone? How did they react? #LearningScience #InstructionalDesign #EvidenceBased