Become an IDOL: Instructional Design and Online Learning (Dr. Robin Sargent)

In this episode, I will be chatting with Samuel Apata, currently a Senior eLearning Developer for Starbucks. He has over 8 years of experience developing and retaining talent for organizations like T-Mobile, American Airlines and GM Financial. Listen in to here us chat about accessibility! You'll want to know the accessibility minimums to  incorporate into course building, the guidelines you'll want to pay attention to on federal and state levels and finding the balance to not stifle your creativity! 

Connect with Samuel on LinkedIn 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

This episode of the Become an IDOL podcast features Michael Shackleton, an instructional designer who transitioned into the field after 14 years of teaching. Michael shares his journey of discovering instructional design, enrolling in the IDOL Academy, and building his portfolio and skills. He discusses his application process, interviews he went through, and how he landed his first job as a learning content designer at a large company in Manchester. Michael offers advice to others looking to make a career change, emphasizing the importance of being yourself, accepting feedback, and pursuing your passions.

Tune in to find out:

• How Michael discovered instructional design after leaving his teaching career and enrolled in the IDOL Academy to gain the skills needed for a career change
• How through applying to over 100 jobs, participating in interviews, and learning from each experience, Michael was able to land a fulfilling role as a learning content designer where he gets to be creative
• Michael's advice to others pursuing a career change - to pursue your passions, be yourself throughout the process, and view feedback as an opportunity for improvement rather than a criticism

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Vanessa Alzate about marketing and building your personal brand as an instructional designer and eLearning developer.

Vanessa Alzate is the Founder and CEO of Anchored Training. She received a BA in Communications & Political Science from Rutgers University, and an MS in Corporate & Organizational Communication from Northeastern University. For over a decade, she has consulted with many mid-large organizations in industries ranging from pharmaceutical sales to fashion to develop training strategies tailored to each individual organization and team. Throughout her career, Vanessa has excelled in assisting companies and individuals to expand their industry knowledge through innovative eLearning and classroom curriculum, while continuing to add consistently to her own education and training.

Vanessa is the mother of two young girls, and is committed to helping everyone become the best versions of themselves. She is an advocate for empowering women and for increasing belonging.

Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn

Anchored Training Website

Register for the FREE Anchored in Learning Summit 2021

IDOL Business Box

eLearning Freelancer's Bootcamp

In this episode, I'll be chatting with an IDOL success story, Gretchen Johanson. Gretchen is now a former teacher who made the transition to a full time IDOL role in under 3 months after she joined the IDOL courses Academy. Gretchen has not only landed her first job, but she is also now in her second role as an IDOL for Google.

She shares her journey and some incredible tips for teachers making the transition to instructional design and online learning development. Check it out!

Connect with Gretchen on LinkedIn

In this episode, I'm chatting with John Reynolds, an Instructional Designer with at Activision Blizzard, and a lifelong nerd. He strives to blur the line between creative training content creator and quest-giver. As an insatiable learner, he hopes to continuously connect with new people and gather fresh and exciting ways to change the game and keep training fun! Tune in to hear his full story and what its like to work for a video game company! 

Connect with John on LinkedIn 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Nancy Varshini. Nancy is the first IDOL courses Academy member from India. It was a huge leap of faith for Nancy to pay the tuition in USD. However, the program has changed Nancy's life and that of her family. You'll hear her heartfelt story that makes me cry and cheer at the same time. She is now a top earner in her country and giving back to her people with free training programs.  Tune in to hear her touching story!

Connect with Nancy on LinkedIn

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Andre Plaut about LXD and Human-Centered Design principles. Andre Plaut is the founder and owner of Human Machine, a learning design studio. Over the last 10 years, Andre has worked with Apple, Obama for America, General Assembly, and other clients. You'll also find Andre delivering captivating workshops on LXD or the ethics of technology design.

Andre gives advice on how to address the whole learner in your design process. A must-listen episode!

Connect with Andre here:

LinkedIn

Company Website

In this episode, I will be chatting with Barbara Taylor, IDOL alumni from cohort 3. She was able to transform her role within a fortune 100 company through her passion for Learning and Development with the implementation from IDOL courses Academy. She now serves as the training manager for 180 recruiters. Listen in now to hear more details on Barbara’s internal promotional journey. 

Connect with Barbara Taylor on LinkedIn 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon. 

In this episode, I will be chatting with Ethan Webb, the Co-Founder and CEO of Mindsmith, a learning platform that uses generative AI to make it easy to create and share course material and training. Ethan is a current student studying economics and business strategy. He has many family members who are educators and has developed a passion for pedagogy and learning theory. Don't miss this trending episode on Artificial Intelligence and how it can benefit Instructional Designers. 

Connect with Ethan on LinkedIn 

Mindsmith discount code for our listeners is IDOL1 (10% off)  

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs

In this episode, I'm chatting with Janette Wilcken about her teacher transition to instructional design. Janette shares all the details of her journey and how it was through networking and hard work in the IDOL courses Academy that she landed her new role as Learning and Development Specialist for PM Pediatrics. Janette's dedication and strategy for becoming an IDOL is an inspiration. Listen now!

Connect with Janette Wilcken on LinkedIn

Enroll in the IDOL courses Academy here: www.idolcourses.com/academy

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Dr. Sara Bania Dobyns about her journey to transition from higher education to corporate instructional design and online learning. Listen in as Dr. Dobyns shares her experience in the IDOL courses Academy and how she started landing more clients as a freelance instructional designer. 

Connect with Dr. Sara Bania Dobyns on LinkedIn

Check out the IDOL courses Academy!

In this episode I'll be chatting with Clint Clarkson about feedback for instructional designers.  In our industry feedback comes from many places. Being able to receive and give feedback is a skill. Listen to Clint share how to give and receive feedback like a pro. Show notes: www.idolcourses.com/blog/clintclarkson

In this episode, I'm chatting with Randi Myers and Teresa O from OWL which is Open World Learning, a FREE online training platform being offered to all registered charities in the US and Canada! Tune in to hear about this amazing resource and the process for volunteering as an instructional designer. 

Learn more about OWL-Open World Learning

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL Academy-click here!

It is the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning in the world. Your one stop shop for all your instructional design needs. Now including a tool suite! 

In this episode, I'm chatting with Meg Ramey. Meg is an IDOL Academy member, she is the owner of WorldKind and she is also a leader of one of our IDOL World projects. IDOL World is a volunteer section of our academy to place instructional designers with nonprofit and volunteer opportunities. Tune in to hear about the importance of real world experience and the things that make a good volunteer. 

Connect with Meg on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL Academy-click here!

It is the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning in the world. Your one stop shop for all your instructional design needs. Now including a tool suite! 

In this episode of the Become an IDOL Podcast, Tamara McLemore, a project management expert, shares her insights and strategies for effective project management, particularly in the context of learning and development. 

Tune in to find out:

• Tamara's approach to building relationships and communicating with stakeholders, including her emphasis on understanding people's perspectives and what's in it for them.
• Tamara's tips for self-management and staying productive when working on solo projects, such as the importance of understanding your own work style and environment.
• Tamara's advice on identifying and leveraging team members' strengths to improve collaboration and project success, regardless of personality type.

In this episode of Become an IDOL, I’ll be chatting with Dina Beavers about her journey from being a high school math teacher to a Senior Instructional Designer with Deluxe Corporation after enrolling in the IDOL Courses Academy.

We will be discussing how she found her way to instructional design, her experience as a part of the fourth cohort of students in the IDOL Courses Academy, and how that led to her current instructional design position.

Connect with Dina on LinkedIn

Learn more about the IDOL courses Academy: the only implementation program and pre-authorized trade school of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch, but also includes credentials, mentorship, expert coaching, and paid experience opportunities in corporate instructional design and online learning for life!

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Samuel Apata about NFTs and eLearning.  We get into what NFTs are, how to translate them into eLearning, and the benefits of minting your work. If you don't know what NFTs are or how they can benefit you as an IDOL, check out this episode. 

Check out Samuel's website

Connect with Samuel on LinkedIn

Get connected with IDOL courses

In this episode, I am chatting with Theresa Francomacaro, the owner of Why Story Works. She helps others who want to get unstuck, sell their ideas, clarify their message and attract more clients. Tune in to hear her three golden rules for storytelling and so much more. You will feel Theresa's energy in this episode! 

Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL Academy-click here!

It is the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning in the world. Your one stop shop for all your instructional design needs. Now including a tool suite! 

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Stanislav Nachev, a former K-12 technology and accessibility coach that became an IDOL. Stanislav shares his story and tips on how he landed a job at LinkedIn Learning through networking on LinkedIn! 

In this episode, I’m chatting with Ron Nakamoto, the Training Service Chief at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Academy. He is one of the most experienced people I've found in this field to talk to us about working as an Instructional Systems Specialist (ISS). He shares how to find these jobs, how to make yourself a competitive candidate, and why he thinks now is the best time to become an ISS.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have a learning and development career in the US government, this is the episode for you! 

Connect with Ron on LinkedIn.

Get on the waitlist for my book, The Do It Messy Approach.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Corry Worrell about the career transition that landed him an IDOL job at Nike!

www.idolcourses.com/academy

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Sarah Cannistra who has an L&D Career, Executive and Business coach, and the founder of The Overnight Trainer, a coaching practice that helps purpose-driven people find, land, create, grow, and LOVE the L&D career of their dreams, so that they can live a life of fulfillment, inspiration, and freedom. Sarah utilizes her past experience as a modern learning leader and hiring manager to coach and consult her clients to ultimate career success. This is one you don't want to miss! Tune in to hear more now. 

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL Academy-click here!

It is the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning in the world. Your one stop shop for all your instructional design needs. Now including a tool suite! 

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, host Dr. Robin Sargent interviews Juliana Stancampiano, founder and CEO of Oxygen Experiences.

Tune in to hear: - Juliana's journey from working at Microsoft to founding the US office of Oxygen and eventually acquiring ownership of the business - How Juliana's company creates engaging learning experiences through hands-on activities and emphasizes understanding the business perspective - Advice for new instructional designers around finding a mentor, understanding how businesses work, and tying learning outcomes to business goals

In this episode, Susan Teague shares her career journey in learning and development. 

Tune in to find out:

1. How Susan transitioned from her first training role to becoming an instructional designer and elearning project manager.
2. Susan's insights into leadership development and how she helps companies think about professional development for their employees.
3. Advice Susan gives to new instructional designers for learning about different businesses and the challenges they face.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Annmarie on her IDOL Success Story who talks about her natural transition into a training role within her school with creating professional development for teachers. Through the pandemic she learned new ways of getting information to her teachers by online learning. This sparked her passion and career towards Instructional Design. 

Annmarie shares her journey through IDOL courses Academy with details on how she felt about the #doitmessy approach, job hunting, the interview process and how the community within IDOL courses proved to be invaluable. Listen now! 

Connect with Annmarie on Linkedin 

Enroll in IDOL courses Academy here

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, Alyssa Coiro shares her journey from teacher to instructional designer. 

Tune in to hear:

- Alyssa's story of how she discovered instructional design during the COVID pandemic and decided to pursue it through IDOL.

- Details about Alyssa's experience building her portfolio within 8 weeks of the IDOL program and starting to apply for jobs.

- An overview of Alyssa's career progression so far, including her roles at Lowe's and a large construction company.

Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Anja Hartleb-Parson about using data and analytics in workplace learning. We try to break down the data that you want and need for the newbies. 

Connect with Anja on LinkedIn.

Unleash the power of your brain for training transformation with Matt Gjersten! Join me as I chat with the visionary founder of Better Everyday Studios, an instructional design consulting company. Get ready to be inspired as we delve into how Matt empowers learning teams to create a monumental impact. Don't miss out! Tune in now and discover the ultimate brain hacks for mastering behavior change in your training.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL Academy-click here!

It is the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning in the world. Your one stop shop for all your instructional design needs. Now including a tool suite! 

In this episode of Become an IDOL, I’ll be chatting with Christopher Fox, instructional designer + eLearning developer at Parr Lumber about his experience as an Idol Courses Academy member who is, of course, now an Idol success story. We will be discussing Christopher’s journey to become an IDOL.

Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn

Learn more about the IDOL courses Academy: the only implementation program and pre-authorized trade school of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch, but also includes credentials, mentorship, expert coaching, and paid experience opportunities in corporate instructional design and online learning for life!

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Leslie Marquez. She is a member of the eLearning Freelancer Bootcamp and a freelance instructional designer and eLearning developer. Her business is Inspire Learning Design and she's noticed quite a few changes in the IDOL industry when it comes to acquiring and working with new clients during the COVID pandemic. Join us and learn how you can find more clients for your freelance business in our current environment. Connect with Leslie here on LinkedIn or on her website here.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Samuel Apata about learning management systems (LMS) and how you can add this tool to your skill set as a new instructional designer.

Connect with Samuel on LinkedIn.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Moe Ash, an IDOL Mentor, Freelance Consultant, and Owner/Founder of The Catalyst.

He holds a BSC degree in Human Resources Management and a degree in Economics from Sadat Academy for Management Sciences, a master’s degree in International Development from the American University in Cairo. An associate CIPD-HR, Certified Instructional Designer by HRCI, Certified performance & competency developer - Certified learning & development manager - Certified assessment center analyst by Middle Earth HR . Mohamed is currently looking into acquiring his CPTD & a degree in business psychology aiming to blend L&D, gamification, and performance management in a tight cohesive mold.

Moe is the founder of The Catalyst, an instructional design consultancy focused on the sole purpose of creating an impeccable learning experience.

Connect with Moe on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moeash7/

Learn more about the IDOL courses Academy here: www.idolcourses.com/academy

In this episode of Become an IDOL, I’ll be chatting with David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360 Learning. David has a wealth of information about our industry and he shares tips for creating digital learning that makes an impact. 

Tune in to find out:

• How learning and development teams can help solve critical problems that come up within their organization
• How data and evidence based practice requires us to view training or learning needs as simply assumptions
• Why it's important to understand what it is that people are trying to do in service of their own goals

Connect with David on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon. 

Today I'm chatting with Barbara Faulkner, who has an adventurous spirit with a desire to help other countries in need.  

Barbara has a love for teaching and training but wanted more. She shares insight on the nonprofit world and how it requires many hats. Her inspiring journey led to work with the Peace Corps Response. Hear her traveling Instructional Design/Training adventures! 

Enroll in the IDOL courses Academy here

In this episode, I'm chatting with Murray Gray, who is a Co-Founder of a new platform called Xperiencify. It is a learning management system where you can sell digital course products with gamification to motivate learners for completion. He shares his joy of creating software solutions to help business owners get more out of their businesses and help more people. If you want to leverage your time and expertise with building a course this podcast is a must listen!  

Learn more about Xperiencify 

IDOL courses Academy is now an authroized vocational trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning. You'll learn the practical skills and knowledge that employers are looking for right out of the gate.

Enroll Here 

www.idolcourses.com/academy Enrollment is open 9/14-25/2020!

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, Dr. Robin Sargent interviews Dr. Dwayne Wood about leadership and teaching. 

Tune in to find out:

• How Dr. Wood explains how leadership and teaching are interchangeable concepts based on his military and educational background.
• Examples of leadership principles and qualities that can be applied to effective teaching and instructional design.
• How experiential learning techniques can be used in both leadership development and education, with a focus on practical application and embracing failure as a learning opportunity.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with an IDOL success story, Amanda Kulik. Amanda is now a former teacher who made the transition to a full-time instructional role in 4 months after she joined the IDOL courses Academy.  She now works with Heidi Kirby at Datatrak International.

She shares her journey and some incredible tips for teachers making the transition to instructional design and online learning development. Check it out!

In this episode, I'm chatting with Rebecca Hogue a professor of Instructional Design at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She hosts her own podcast, Demystifying Instructional Design. Her varied experience, knowledge of the field and love for students 'aha' moments  makes this such a good listen. 

Connect with Rebecca on Linkedin 

Podcast: Demystifying Instructional Design 

IDOL courses Academy is now an authroized vocational trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning. You'll learn the practical skills and knowledge that employers are looking for right out of the gate.

Enroll Here 

In this episode, Dr. Robin Sargent interviews Kayvon Touran, the CEO and co-founder of Zal.ai, about the role of generative AI in workforce learning and development.

Tune in to find out:

• How Kayvon and his company are using generative AI to enhance employee training and practice through AI-powered practice partners and feedback facilitators.
• The importance of using quantitative and binary rubrics to measure employee skills and competencies and how this data can drive personalized learning interventions.
• Kayvon's advice for aspiring instructional designers on embracing AI as a tool to augment their abilities and play a crucial role in the future of workforce development.

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Alexander about the differences between the popular instructional design models ADDIE Human performance technology and agile.

If you are interested in starting or growing your eLearning business join me, christy tucker, and dr. Nicole Papaioannou in the eLearning freelancer Bootcamp.  Find out all the details at idolcourses.com/bootcamp

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Rued Riis about his journey to become an expert explainer video creator, and now online course creator.  Rued believes in FUN learning. He helps educators use animation to create engaging, entertaining, and humorous learning—for internal training, course creations, YouTube marketing, and much more. Rued's online courses include scriptwriting, voice-over production, screen-recording, and animation. His students subscribe on RuedRiis.com. Rued and I agree that it's important to modernize an industry that has fallen behind. eLearning is where marketing was 10 years ago. We need to make FUN (engaging, entertaining, motivating, inspiring) learning content if we want it to spread and ignite someone's interest in a subject.

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, host Robin Sargent interviews Kelsie Marks, the director of resume services at Educated Exit, an organization that helps teachers transition out of the education profession.

Tune in to find out:

1. Kelsie's journey from being a preschool teacher to leaving the education field and founding Educated Exit.

2. The process Educated Exit uses to help teachers find new careers outside of education, from identifying values and skills to resume/LinkedIn profile building to networking and job searching.

3. Advice Kelsie gives to teachers looking to make an exit, such as having patience, trusting the process, and understanding it is a journey rather than something that happens overnight.

In this episode, I will be chatting with Kim Tuohy, an Instructional Design and founding Director of Belvista Studios. You don't want to miss this episode of abundance in the way Kim lives her life. Through traveling Australia in a van with solar powered panels to running her own business, she gives great tips on the balance of it all. She seeks to live a life of joy everyday!

Connect with Kim on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs. 

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Talia Taylor about her experience making the transition to corporate instructional design. 

Connect with Talia Taylor on LinkedIn

www.idolcourses.com/academy Enrollment is open 9/14-25/2020!

In this episode, I'm chatting with Sharon Tavares who currently resides in Sweden and taught ESL for 10 years. Hear her journey through IDOL courses as she landed 2 positions within the first two months. As these roles slowed down, she gained the confidence to apply for her dream role at IKEA. Her interview process is something you don't want to miss. Listen now! 

Enroll in the IDOL courses Academy here

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Nyla Spooner. Nyla is an instructional designer and eLearning developer for a giant multinational corporation. She shares her wisdom and advice for new instructional designers and she is on a mission to help 100 women of color in our field. This episode is what happens when two ID mentors get together. We chat, giggle, and teach!

Shownotes: https://www.idolcourses.com/blog/mentor

Build Your Online Portfolio Self-Directed Online Course: https://www.idolcourses.com/store/SrwqeN6V

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Zsolt Olah about his IDOL journey and his two-part article series about becoming a learning designer. You can find the show notes for this episode at: www.idolcourses.com/blog/zsolt

Becoming a Learning Designer Part 1: https://elearningindustry.com/becoming-learning-designer-part-1

Becoming a Learning Designer Part 2: https://elearningindustry.com/becoming-learning-designer-part-2

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Matt Smith, former CEO of Pure Learning, about all the things you should know before you become an IDOL. Matt is currently a senior director at a consulting agency with over 12 years of experience in instructional design and online learning. 

www.idolcourses.com/academy

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Kerri Duncan about her 2020 journey. Getting laid off from her job during the pandemic spurred Kerri to invest in herself and her skills to land her next role as an IDOL. Listen in to hear her story and get tips on how to reskill if you've been laid off.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Monica Cornetti the CEO and founder of Sententia Gamification. You'll learn about how Monica entered the IDOL world and how to apply gamified learning theory to your projects even if you're a newbie. Check out the show notes to get all the links Monica mentions in this episode.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with a former teacher, April Black about her journey to become an IDOL. April offers some excellent advice and insights for those making the transition to instructional design.

Connect with April Black on LinkedIn

Find out more about the IDOL courses Academy

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Whitney Lowe. Whitney has been a massage educator for 34 years, and teaching online since 2006. He is a subject matter specialist with massage for pain and injury treatments, has authored two books, contributed to multiple others and written hundreds of articles. He hosts a popular podcast (The Thinking Practitioner) and is committed to producing high-quality learning experiences for all his students. We discuss the IDOL World Project and how he was able to get a volunteer project completed for the Massage Therapy Foundation. 

If you are a non profit organization check out the IDOL World Project here.  We can connect you with our volunteer learning designers. 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Fe'Dricka Moore about her four year journey of finding her new purpose after she quit her teaching job. We also dive into how it only took Fe'Dricka 4 months from start to finish to become an IDOL in the IDOL courses Academy.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Kim Limon with 10 years experience in Education and English writing.  She was wanting more with flexibility. When she found IDOL courses Academy she knew it was the clear bridge to help her cross over into corporate. 

Hear how much time she put in and how she went through IDOL courses Academy while working a full time job. After 2 months she built a portfolio, revamped her resume and LinkedIn account with recruiters contacting her. She has great tips for navigating the next steps! 

Listen now. 

IDOL courses Academy is now an authroized vocational trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning. You'll learn the practical skills and knowledge that employers are looking for right out of the gate.

Enroll Here 

In this episode of Become an IDOL, I’ll be chatting with Ian Melchinger, a former Lead Instructional Designer at IDOL Talent. He recently accepted a position as a Program Manager with Learn Quest! Ian discusses his experience as an IDOL courses Academy member and his journey to become an IDOL.

Tune in to hear him talk about the importance of giving and receiving quality feedback, diving into the world of contracting and freelancing, and creating goals for continuous improvement.

Connect with Ian on LinkedIn. 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach on Amazon. 

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Jessica Oberto about her journey to land an instructional design role as the training manager at the biggest company in the world. When she joined the IDOL courses Academy, Jessica already had experience as an instructional designer. However, she wanted to enroll to shore up her foundation in the discipline and maybe land a new role. Not only did Jessica reach her goal, but she also exceeded it. Check out this inspiring IDOL journey with Jessica Oberto!

Connect with Jessica Oberto on LinkedIn

Learn more about the IDOL courses Academy

In this episode of Become an IDOL, I’ll be chatting with Tommy Sealock about how his background in education proved to be a vital stepping stone into transitioning to Instructional Design. Show notes: https://www.idolcourses.com/blog/noexperienceordegree

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, Robin Sargent interviews Destery Hildenbrand, an XR Solution Architect who helps clients realize their immersive technology dreams through virtual reality, augmented reality, and blended learning solutions.

Tune in to find out:

1. Destery's career journey from graphic designer to XR Solution Architect and how he got involved with immersive technologies.
2. Examples of use cases for augmented reality and virtual reality in learning and why certain modalities are better suited for different scenarios. 
3. Advice for instructional designers on getting started with no-code AR tools like Zappar and how to incorporate emerging technologies into their work.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Who's your ADDIE Co-founders Stephanie Bandli and Lizzy Steenkamp.

Who’s your ADDIE? is an e-learning marketplace run by practicing e-learning professionals with over 15 years of experience in e-learning design and development. They are obsessed with creating digital learning that is engaging, pedagogically (or andragogically) sound, fit for purpose, and technically well-made to create an overall excellent learning experience.

They understand that industry professionals need to specialize in a wide range of skills: instructional design, writing, graphic design, learning technologies, and user experience design. It’s not always possible for everyone to excel in all of these areas. In addition, we often work with tight deadlines that are at odds with our desire to create work that would truly benefit our students, and that we can be proud of.

They want to help passionate e-learning creators leverage each others’ skills by creating and selling high-quality e-learning templates and assets. Browse our platform to buy and sell products for every phase of the ADDIE process: analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation.

Check out Who's Your ADDIE website here: https://whosyouraddie.com/

Enroll in the IDOL courses Academy

In this episode, I will be chatting with Marilyn Day, an IDOL courses Academy member who transitioned into an Instructional Designer and landed her first contract with IDOL Talent in 6 months time. Just a few short months later, landed her next position at Google. She worked previously as a career coach. In this role, she started to problem solve for ways so she didn't have to verbally repeat the same information. She wanted to get creative with content delivery and this piqued her interest in the field of Instructional Design. Hear her story of how she was able to successfully transition into this field and also serve as a coach within IDOL courses Academy. 

Connect with Marilyn on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs. 

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, Amanda Nguyen shares her journey and advice on creativity in instructional design. 

Tune in to hear:

- Amanda's experience working as a learning experience designer at Canva and how she utilized their platform for educational purposes.

- Her creative process and workflow, including how she draws inspiration from other designers and industries to spark new ideas.

- Her unconventional path to becoming an instructional designer, including how she "bootlegged" her way into her first role through perseverance and taking chances.

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Elizabeth Pehlke. Elizabeth was a hiring manager at Pearson and she was hiring between 10-20 instructional designers a year. She shares her best interview, resume, and application tips for those looking to land their first or next instructional design job. 

The IDOL courses Academy is now open for enrollment until 1/31. www.idolcourses.com/academy

Show Notes: www.idolcourses.com/blog/hiring

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Smruti Sudarshan about educational data mining and how it can inform your learning designs. We get into the importance of data, how to capture it, and what to do with it once you have it. If you don't know what educational data mining is or how it can help you be a better IDOL check out this episode. 

Here is the blog Smruti wrote on educational data mining.

Connect with Smruti on LinkedIn

Get connected with IDOL courses

In this episode of Become an IDOL, I’ll be chatting with Brian Harris, Chief of Design and Development at Brilliant Educational Services, about his journey since enrolling in the eLearning Freelancer Bootcamp. Brian talks about how he leads conversations with his clients, manages pushback, and always keeps the needs of the learners first.

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn. 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach on Amazon. 

In this episode I'm chatting with Laura Wilczek, a former teacher who transitioned to a new career as an eLearning Developer for Hanover Research. While teaching during the pandemic she realized she had a unique set of skills and a passion for developing courses and training.   

"Investing in myself and joining the IDOL courses Academy was the best decision I ever made. " - Laura

Listen now to hear great pointers for how she navigated the course to apply what she was learning with purpose, which landed her a new role in 2 months! 

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn

Have you heard? IDOL courses Academy is now the only authorized vocational trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning! You'll learn the practical skills and knowledge that employers are looking for right out of the gate.

Enroll Here  or contact us at info@idolcourses.com if you have any questions. We'd be more than happy to chat.

www.idolcourses.com/academy Enrollment is open 9/14-25/2020!

In this episode, I'll be chatting with an IDOL success story, Star Peterson. Star is now a former teacher who made the transition to a freelance instructional designer in under 3 months after she joined the IDOL courses Academy.  She shares her journey and some incredible tips for teachers making the transition to instructional design and online learning development. Check it out!

Connect with Star Peterson on LinkedIn

In this episode, Utdam Song, an instructional designer from Cambodia, shares his career journey from being a high school teacher to landing his first instructional design job. Utdam discusses how the IDOL courses Academy provided him with practical, hands-on learning that complemented his academic studies. This helped him succeed in the interview process and secure his current role. The episode highlights Utdam's success story and the value of the IDOL program in supporting career changers and aspiring instructional designers.

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, Betty Dannewitz and Dr. Robin Sargent discuss leadership training and overcoming imposter syndrome in L&D.

Tune in to hear:

• Betty’s background in learning and development and how she became a known conference speaker
• Insights into imposter syndrome, including common causes and coping strategies discussed
• Tips for overcoming imposter syndrome during a career transition or when learning instructional design

In this episode, Jessica Evans shares her journey from classroom teacher to freelance instructional designer. 

Tune in to hear: 

• Jessica's career path from teacher to instructional designer and how she started her freelance business 
• Tips on networking, building relationships, and generating referrals as a freelancer  
• Advice for aspiring instructional designers on getting training, asking questions, and dreaming big 

In this episode, I will be chatting with Jennifer Berman, an IDOL course Academy member who transitioned into an Instructional Designer in just 14 weeks. She worked for 17 years in Elementary Education when becoming the primary virtual teacher inspired a love for online learning. She tells how IDOL gave her the skills, feedback and goal setting that she needed to make such a quick transition. Listen in to hear how her corporate role compares to teaching!

Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs. 

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Mohsin Memon who is the director of learning games at Gamitar Learning. Mohsin shares the principles of gamification, what he's been working on, and how he became interested in gamified learning experiences.  Mohsin is fun and smart! You don't want to miss this episode.

Connect with Mohsin on LinkedIn

Check out his Evivve Leadership Game certification program

In this episode, I'm chatting with Kate Udalova about microlearning principles and 7taps. Kate is the founder and CPO of the eLearning software, 7taps. 7taps is the fastest way to create mobile-first courses, summaries, and follow-ups. Kate shares tips and her story of how she founded 7taps. 

Sign up to get your free trial of 7taps here!

Connect with Kate Udalova on LinkedIn

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Maya Haritan about her journey to become an IDOL at Apple Inc. 

Connect with Maya Haritan on LinkedIn

Learn more about the IDOL courses Academy: the only implementation program and pre-authorized trade school of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch, but also includes credentials, mentorship, expert coaching, and paid experience opportunities in corporate instructional design and online learning for life!

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Dr. Jiani Wu about micro personalized learning. I ask her what micro personalization is, what does it look like, and how can newbies apply it? You might be inspired by her answers. 

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, host Dr. Robin Sargent interviews JD Dillon, the Chief Learning Officer at Axonify and author of the book The Modern Learning Ecosystem. JD discusses his background transitioning from operations management into learning and development, focusing on supporting frontline workers. He shares examples of understanding workers' needs and problems to design effective performance support solutions rather than traditional training. JD emphasizes the importance of focusing on problem-solving over learning and using a variety of tactics beyond just courses.

Tune in to find out:

- How JD made the transition from operations management into learning and development while working for Disney - JD's example of redesigning performance support for grocery store employees by understanding their workflow and challenges - JD's advice to focus on understanding problems rather than "learning" and using a variety of tactics beyond just courses to solve problems

Connect with JD on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

In this episode, I will be chatting with Tamara Schroer, the Vice President of Education and Development at Working Solutions and she is not you typical corporate executive. She is a born educator and putting her formal training and innate talents to work, helping Working Solutions to develop one of the world's most powerful and effective approaches to virtual corporate education. You will love the energy in this episode! 

Connect with Tamara on LinkedIn 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with the LinkedIn famous Dana Kocalis about her journey to become an IDOL and the eLearning community project she led and learned from last year. Dana is the owner of eLearning by Dana and a regular LinkedIn conversation starter. Last year we met when she started the eLearning Community project by posting on LinkedIn. Show notes.

In this episode, Dr. Robin Sargent interviews Dr. Natalie Berkman about her journey to becoming an instructional designer through IDOL courses. They discuss her background in higher education, achievements, and transition into a C-level role.

Tune in to hear:

- Dr. Berkman's insights on upskilling and leveraging new tools like Articulate 360 and Genially to enhance instructional design.

- Strategies she used to optimize her LinkedIn profile and portfolio, leading to significant career advancements.

- Her approach to positioning herself as a problem solver in her cover letter, which landed her a custom C-level position.

In this episode, Robin Sargent interviews Chris Skees, a Learning Product Manager at Cisco, about his career progression in the learning and development industry. He provides insights into career development and upskilling strategies, emphasizing mindset, curiosity, and stretch projects.

Tune in to hear: 1. Chris Skees discuss his career journey from content creation to learning product management and the various roles and industries he has worked in. 2. Strategies for career development and upskilling, including taking online courses, reading, conferences, and stretch projects to expand skills. 3. Advice for aspiring instructional designers on clarifying career goals, researching job descriptions, and applying instructional design skills in different professional roles.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

I'm chatting with Cynthia Berry about her teacher transition to an instructional designer role at Missouri University in this episode. Cynthia shares an inspiring story and great advice for those wanting to become an IDOL. 

Connect with Cynthia here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-berry-instructional-designer-455023216/

Learn more about the IDOL courses Academy here: www.idolcourses.com/academy

In this episode, Robin Sargent interviews Russell Sweep about his career transition from professor to instructional designer and training manager.

 Tune in to hear: 

• Russell's story of transitioning from academia to the corporate world as an instructional designer.
• How Russell prepared himself for 6 months before landing contract work and eventually a full-time role.
• Advice Russell has for others looking to make a similar career change, including building a portfolio and leveraging resources and your network.

Connect with Russell on LinkedIn

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, host Robin Sargent interviews Monica Garcia about her role as an instructional systems designer for the Air Force. Monica describes her career path which began in air traffic control and led her to become a branch chief overseeing curriculum development for 70,000 Air Force students across 180 career fields. She discusses some of the differences between developing training for the military versus corporate settings and provides advice for those looking to enter the field of instructional design.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Derek Dorsett, an Instructional Designer with LogicMonitor. Hear about his defining moment, higher education vs. corporate and the importance of a career roadmap. This was an episode to spark encouragement even in your struggles! 

Connect with Derek on LinkedIn 

Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.

Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs

In this episode, I'm chatting with Brit Crew. She is an IDOL courses Academy member who has found success and reached her big IDOL goal. 

She started the Academy in January of 2021 with a background in the multimedia field and taught multimedia in high school for 6 years. Brit dived into IDOL and learned her previous experience with teaching multimedia crossed over with ID skills. 

Find out what helped her decide on Instructional Design as her new career field and how she worked full time while going through the IDOL courses Academy. She gives details about her new role and how this compares to her previous teaching job. Passing it forward, Brit also makes time to mentor others who want to become an IDOL! 

Enroll in the IDOL courses Academy here

In this episode, I'll be chatting with the Teacher Career Coach, Daphne Williams. She has helped 100s of teachers make career pivots to all sorts of roles outside the classroom. We talk about mindset and strategies for deciding what's next!

Take the FREE quiz: What Career Outside of the classroom is right for you?

Teacher Career Coach Website

Teacher Career Coach Podcast

Should I leave teaching blog post by Daphne Williams

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Cameron Brown who is an instructional designer for Cox Enterprise. I am Cameron’s mentor and I helped him become an IDOL. You won’t believe his story.  It’s amazing to see how far he has come and where he came from. The IDOL courses Academy is now open.  Enroll before 7/3/19!  www.idolcourses.com/academy

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Christy Tucker about her experience transitioning from K-12 education to instructional design and eLearning development. We’ll be sharing tips for switching careers and landing your first job even if you don’t have a degree or experience. You’ll also learn how Christy Tucker became a name brand in the field of instructional design.

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Erika Rellstab. Erika is a recent IDOL courses Academy alumni and she wanted to share her success with the Become an IDOL family. Erika was a secondary school teacher and she knew she wanted to make the leap into corporate IDOL, so she joined the Academy and started working as a contractor at Price Waterhouse Cooper only 4 weeks into the program. Keep listening to hear her full story. It’s good. You don’t want to miss this. I’m personally blown away by her results! 

If you want to become an IDOL and you’d like to join the only implementation program of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch but also includes mentorship and experience opportunities in instructional design and online learning then go to www.idolcourses.com/academy and enroll! Enrollment closes at 10pm EST on 9/20. So hurry up and join me. The class will start on 9/30.

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Kim Tuohy about making the transition to a freelance instructional designer.  Kim shares a wealth of knowledge from her own transition from full-time employee to a self-employed business owner. Belvista Studios is an instructional design and eLearning company located in Australia and as the founder, she has a lot of experience working with clients to share.  Even if you don’t want to be a freelancer you don’t want to miss hearing from Kim. She is a bright light and so much fun to listen to. Show notes: www.idolcourses.com/bootcamp

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Rachel Hudish about the jargon and industry terms that are used in instructional design. We’ll be sharing stories, analogies, and definitions to illuminate the meaning of each word. Check out our show notes.

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Matthew Daniel about learning experience design. If you’ve heard this term before, but you aren’t sure how it’s different from instructional design you’ll definitely want to learn from Matthew. We’ll talk about the differences between LXD and ID, the process of LXD, and practical actions you can take to implement these very important principles in your next or even first-course project.

The IDOL courses Academy is open for enrollment from 9/12--9/20. Get on the waitlist: www.idolcourses.com/

Go to the show notes to grab a bunch of excellent resources from Matthew Daniel: www.idolcourses.com/blog/lxd

In this episode of Become an IDOL, I’ll be chatting with Anna Sabramowicz about scenario design. Scenario design is the secret to creating powerful messages in your learning experience design. Learning this technique early in your career will give you a huge advantage and an excellent tool for engaging your learners. Show Notes

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Bejanae Kareem about k-12 teachers and how they can incorporate instructional design practices in their classrooms.  Bejanae shares how she got interested in instructional design and helping teachers implement the principles in their own STEM classes. She also talks about teacher burn out. Bejanae is the founder of BK International Education Consultancy.  A program that offers online courses and continuing education credits for teachers.  Find the show notes at: www.idolcourses.com/blog/teachidol

Bejanae Kareem, Executive Director of BK International Education Consultancy, began her career as an education professional after earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Georgia State University. After serving in the environmental science and microbiology industries, Ms. Kareem was inspired to close the achievement gap for underrepresented children and served as an educator in high need schools for over ten years. She served as a robotics coach, conducted experimental research with NASA’s Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program, and coordinated student programs to make contact with the International Space Station. During Ms. Kareem’s experience as an education practitioner, she went on to pursue P-5 teacher certification, a Master's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership along with certifications in Reading and English to Speakers of Other Languages. Since she has taught at various levels of education from early childhood to post-secondary in virtual and traditional classroom settings; as well as have written, been awarded and implemented several grant projects centered around STEM education for preservice teachers to students. Ms. Kareem previously served on the National Science Teachers Association Urban Science Advisory Board, Georgia Department of Education’s Instructional Technology Advisory Committee, and Clayton County Public Library Board of Trustees. From her experiences, Ms. Kareem recognized the need for quality, integrated STEAM training for teachers and parents who were often not comfortable with implementing STEM/STEAM tasks in the classroom or at home. Ms. Kareem launched BK International Education Consultancy LLC in 2012 to provide quality Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) and grant acquisition workshops for K-12 educators and parents.

In this episode of Become an IDOL, I’ll be chatting with Melanie Sexton, Learning and Experience Designer, about her experience in creating graphic interfaces for online courses and E-Learning development. We will be discussing Melanie’s tools, best practices, tips, challenges, and resources for designing the most effective User experiences (UX) and User Interfaces (UI).  Check out the show notes here: https://www.idolcourses.com/blog/ux

In this episode, I’ll be chatting with Nicole Papaioannou Lugara about her expertise in writing for instructional design. She shares tips and advice on how to be a better instructional design writer. You’ll also learn how Nicole became an IDOL without an ID degree or experience. In addition, she only had one full-time IDOL job before she became a freelancer.

Show notes: www.idolcourses/blog/idolwriting