Author: jboursier

As an instructional designer focused on real-world impact, I’ve recently led the design of a change management plan for Safe Kids Advocates—a non-profit dedicated to empowering volunteer guardians ad litem (VGALs) to advocate for children’s best interests. I want to share both the plan and the lessons I’m learning in the process, because successful change…

If you’ve ever wondered how someone ends up designing immersive, AI-powered learning experiences for everyone from ski bums to future sailing captains, you’re in the right place. My journey in training and development started on the snowy slopes of Crested Butte Mountain Resort back in 2000, where I was teaching skiing while working my way…

If you asked me when would be the “perfect” time to build a capstone eLearning project, I don’t think I could have picked it better myself. The placement of this course at the tail end of my master’s program—right before my practicum—has been a gift. I came in with a solid foundation in instructional design,…

If you had told me a few months ago that I’d be building an entire e-learning experience from the ground up—with a project plan, design document, storyboard, interactive video, and more—I might have stared blankly into the wind and asked, “How do you eat an elephant?” Turns out, you do it one bite at a…

One of the most eye-opening assignments in my graduate coursework (EDCI 513) was to interview professionals in the field of instructional design. Our goal? To dig deeper than job descriptions and truly understand the scope, responsibilities, and—most importantly—the mindset behind these roles. My group connected with Debbie, a content developer for Southwest Airlines, whose daily…

There’s something about sailboats that mirrors the creative process. The wind doesn’t always blow the way you want. I use the Windy app because you can see the direction of the wind directly in the sailing area with dynamic lines showing the micro changes of the pattern as the day approaches, and the squirrelly and…

Lessons from Sales and How They Apply to Instructional Design Ahhh… scope creep—the bane of every project manager, sales rep, and instructional designer alike. It’s the result of overpromising and underdelivering, or the opposite: not defining expectations clearly enough, which leads to overdelivering just to maintain trust and credibility. In either case, it’s a symptom…

By Jason Boursier Not long ago, the job of a Learning Experience Designer (LXD) centered around well-scoped eLearning courses, instructor-led trainings, and well-worn LMS platforms. But something has changed. Or rather, everything has changed. I recently had a revelation: as AI rapidly transforms how people work, learn, and make decisions, a new role must emerge…

When I began this course, I didn’t have a clear set of expectations. At first glance, the syllabus suggested a continuation of the digital badges I had already been progressing through on my own. I had assumed these were more of a supplemental opportunity, not central to the coursework itself. But I’m glad I was…

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a calling. A few months ago, I stood at a crossroads. Not on land, but in life. Caught between what I’d learned as an educator and what I’d lived as a sailor, I knew I was carrying something real—something raw—that could help people lead, adapt, and stay grounded when the…