Category: Blog

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…

I never thought I’d be co-hosting a podcast with an AI captain—but here we are. Boat, Brain, and Beyond: Sailor’s Mindset isn’t just a podcast about sailing. It’s a reflection of everything I’ve been learning about adaptive leadership, emotional resilience, and what it means to hold steady when everything feels like it’s going sideways. My…

Throughout this engaging journey of developing my Blue Edgewater Training website, I’ve gained invaluable insights into creating effective, ethical, and impactful communication strategies specifically tailored to adult learners and stakeholders. Reflecting on this experience, it’s clear that communication isn’t just about information delivery—it’s about cultivating trust, credibility, and meaningful connections. Plus I had a blast…

Adult learners are a specific group that needs to be expertly marketed to, and a website can enhance credibility for the teacher. Otherwise, the students will simply go somewhere else to take lessons on topics like language, photography, art education, and even sailing instruction. Thoughtfully designed websites can be used for consultants like Tony Vincent…

When I first considered joining Purdue University’s Learning Design and Technology (LDT) program, the concept of digital badges caught my attention immediately. During a conversation with Zach from admissions, he introduced me to the idea of LDT Badges. He described these badges not merely as digital stickers, but as powerful assets that transform a portfolio…