What Is the Freelancer Market Like in Learning and Development?
What Is the Freelancer Market Like in Learning and Development? I get asked this question a lot: “What is the freelancer market like right now? Are there gigs out there?” It’s a fair question, and honestly, it’s a loaded one. The answer is: it depends. First, Let’s...
Lessons from My 50K Training: What Running Teaches Us About Learning
I’m training for a 50K race in October. It’s not my first one, but every time I lace up my shoes and start another training cycle, I’m reminded of one important truth: the road to the finish line is never easy. Some days I feel strong and energized, like I could run...
From Bourbon Barrels to Better Training: Lessons from a Buffalo Trace Tour
Earlier this month, I toured the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, and what I expected to be a simple walkthrough of bourbon-making turned into a masterclass in learner-centered instruction. Our guide wasn’t just knowledgeable — she radiated passion for...
The Power of the Pilot: Why Dry Runs are Essential for ILT and vILT Success
You’ve built a beautiful training program. The content is polished, the slides are sharp, and the activities are thoughtfully designed. But before you launch it live to your learners, there’s one step you shouldn’t skip—the dry run. Whether you’re designing...
From Summit to Workplace: Applying Appreciative Inquiry in L&D
After returning from the summit, I was excited to apply these Appreciative Inquiry principles to my own work in Learning & Development (L&D). Whether you’re an instructional designer, a trainer, or an eLearning developer, AI offers practical techniques to...
Appreciative Inquiry 101: Methodology, 5I Process, and Key Principles
So, what exactly is Appreciative Inquiry (AI), and why does it create such magic in group settings? At its core, Appreciative Inquiry is a strengths-focused, collaborative approach to change. Unlike traditional problem-solving that centers on what’s wrong, AI...
A Transformational Summit Experience: Personal Reflections
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend XCHANGE’s Appreciative Inquiry Summit and Certification program – a 3-day immersive gathering that turned out to be a truly transformational learning experience. Because I am part of the xchange community, I had an idea of...
Beyond Chat—Using Breakout Rooms Strategically in vILT
Research shows breakout rooms are more than optional—they’re essential. According to InSync Training, small-group discussions in virtual settings foster intellectual, emotional, and environmental engagement by reducing distractions and encouraging deeper thinking....
Camera On, Mic Off? Managing Participation in Virtual Classrooms
You log in, launch the session, and greet your learners… crickets. Cameras off. Mics muted. Not even a wave in chat. Virtual instructor-led training (vILT) can feel like shouting into the void—but it doesn’t have to. Managing learner participation starts before the...
Keep Them Awake—Strategies to Boost Learner Engagement in Virtual Instructor-Led Training (vILT)
Let’s face it—virtual training fatigue is real. We’ve all seen it: the blank stares, the cameras off, the “Sorry, can you repeat the question?” moments. But engagement in virtual instructor-led training (vILT) doesn’t have to be a battle to keep learners awake. With...
How to Make Webinars a Cornerstone of Engaging Virtual Learning
Let’s face it, too many webinars still feel like a chore. But what if virtual Instructor-Led Training (vILT) wasn’t just something your learners endured, but something they actually looked forward to? At their best, webinars can be an immersive, interactive part of...
How Gamification Enhances eLearning Outcomes
As instructional designers, we’re always on the lookout for ways to make learning more engaging, sticky, and effective. One strategy that continues to deliver exceptional results is gamification, and no, it’s not just about playing games. What Is Gamification...