The Learning Experience Ops Show

Episode 21: Your Story From the Inside Out- Simon Greenwold on Why Internal Communications Is the Most Underestimated Driver of Organizational Health

Summary In this conversation, Jason Gorman and Simon Greenwold discuss the power of storytelling as a strategic tool for organizations, particularly in higher education. Simon, co-founder and CEO of Story as a Service and Jason's business partner, draws on over 25 years of experience at Northwestern University and EdTech company 2U to explain how organizations can clarify their core story and communicate it effectively, both internally and externally. They explore real client work at Princeton and Excelsior University, the current state of higher education under political and economic pressure, and why storytelling is a practical superpower for faculty, learning designers, and institutional leaders. Takeaways * Internal communications are the most important and least understood part of organizational health. * Every organization has a core story that must be clarified before strategy can be built. * Storytelling translates academic jargon into language anyone can understand. * People remember three things, so be concise and intentional. * Stakeholders hold stakes; understand what they care about before you communicate. * Higher ed is being disrupted by AI, politics, and economics all at once. * Most workplace turbulence feels severe but is usually mild. * An organization's core story is like a Shakespeare play: same story, new forms over time. * AI will disrupt learning design but will not replace the humanity it requires. * Storytelling is a learnable skill that can become a professional superpower. Watch the full episode Your Story From the Inside Out- Simon Greenwold on Why Internal Communications Is the Most Underestimated Driver of Organizational Health [https://youtu.be/opvEWEYTJ-Y]

Episode 20: Joy Is the Metric We Keep Forgetting- Fadia Rostom on Bringing Human-Centered AI Into Classrooms One Community at a Time

Summary In this conversation, Jason Gorman and Fadia Rostom explore the deeply human side of AI adoption in education. Fadia, founder of Vision Scholar and a former school principal with over 30 years in education and technology, shares how her journey as a Syrian immigrant shaped her passion for helping teachers rediscover the joy of teaching through AI. They discuss the layers of fear that hold educators back, from the intimidating name "artificial intelligence" to the broader resistance to change, and why teachers need the same permission to experiment and make mistakes that they give their students.  Takeaways * AI can help teachers rediscover the joy of teaching. * The name "artificial intelligence" itself creates fear and resistance. * Teachers need permission to experiment and make mistakes. * AI policies should be built from each community's unique context. * AI works best in education through interdisciplinary approaches. * How we measure success in education needs to be rethought. * Change in education is slow and requires brave leadership. * Celebrating what we share as humans matters now more than ever. * Education needs to bring back life skills and critical thinking. * Fear is real, but we owe it to students to move through it. Watch the full episode: Joy Is the Metric We Keep Forgetting- Fadia Rostom on Bringing Human-Centered AI Into Classrooms One Community at a Time [https://youtu.be/3Qxc4-NSU9Y]

Episode 19: Already Smarter Than You Think- Jeff Bergin on the Beliefs That Block Learning and the Strategies That Actually Move People Forward

Summary In this conversation, Jason Gorman and Dr. Jeff Bergen discuss the evolving landscape of learning, the importance of self-regulation, and the impact of AI on education. They explore the challenges learning professionals face, including fear and misconceptions, and emphasize the need for effective measurement of learning outcomes. Dr. Bergen shares insights from his book 'Already Smarter' and highlights the significance of actionable strategies for learners. The discussion also touches on the future of learning design and the essential skills needed for lifelong learning. Takeaways * The pace of change in learning is accelerating. * Self-regulation is crucial for effective learning. * Fear and misconceptions often hinder learning. * AI can enhance the measurement of learning impact. * Learning happens in various forms every day. * The role of learning designers is evolving with AI. * Effective learning requires actionable strategies. * Lifelong learning is becoming a necessity. * Coaching and mentoring are vital for skill development. * Understanding learner needs is essential for success. Watch the full episode Episode 19: Already Smarter Than You Think- Jeff Bergin on the Beliefs That Block Learning and the Strategies That Actually Move People Forward [https://youtu.be/Csu8vRNiw-0]

Episode 18: What Happens When a 2000 Course Audit Takes 90 Minutes?- Louis NeJame on the Early Evidence That Freeing Up Time Actually Unlocks More Demand for Real Expertise

Summary: In this episode of the Learning Experience Operations Show, Jason Gorman interviews Louis NeJame, co-founder and CEO of Bevel, an AI-powered platform built for higher ed instructional design teams. They explore what happens when instructional designers spend 60 to 70 percent of their time on operational tasks like course audits, accessibility fixes, and content maintenance instead of actual learning design. Louis shares how his background in strategy consulting at Titan Partners and AI product development at McGraw-Hill led him to build Bevel, and how conducting over 200 interviews with higher ed instructional designers revealed a massive misallocation of talent. The conversation covers the tension between what AI can do and what it should do in education, how automating tedious quality checks is already unlocking demand for the relational and strategic work that matters most, and why the entry-level job market disruption from AI will reshape higher education itself. Louis also reflects on the philosophical difference between finite and infinite games and how that shapes his approach to building in ed tech. Takeaways: * 60 to 70 percent of instructional designers' time goes to operational tasks, not learning design * Just because AI can do something doesn't mean it should * Change management is the hard part, not building course materials * Automating audits increases demand for designers rather than replacing them * Baseline AI literacy is a prerequisite for productive strategy conversations * Quality checks now cost near zero, shifting evaluation from summative to formative * AI job market disruption will ripple directly through higher education * Existing courses need competency mapping too, not just new programs * Instructional designers are positioned to be change agents during this disruption * The pace of AI change is outrunning society's adaptive systems Watch the full episode: What Happens When a 2000 Course Audit Takes 90 Minutes?- Louis NeJame on the Early Evidence That Freeing Up Time Actually Unlocks More Demand for Real Expertise [https://youtu.be/Y9e_N4MLmaA]

Episode 17: Tinder for L&D, 12 Years of Data- Donald Taylor on What Learning Professionals Think Is Hot and How Often They Are Wrong

Summary In this episode of the Learning Experience Operations Show, Jason Gorman interviews Donald Taylor, a prominent figure in the Learning and Development (L&D) field. They discuss the evolving landscape of L&D, the impact of technology, particularly AI, and the importance of networking and collaboration. Donald shares insights from his annual Global Sentiment Survey, highlighting trends and challenges in the profession. The conversation also delves into the Transformation Triangle, which outlines three potential future roles for L&D: skills authority, enablement partner, and adaptation engine. The episode emphasizes the need for L&D professionals to adapt to changing circumstances and to build strong relationships within their organizations. Takeaways * The L&D profession is evolving with technology and societal changes. * Inclusivity has improved in L&D, but challenges remain. * Clinging to past methods can hinder progress in L&D. * AI is a transformative force in the future of learning. * Building networks is crucial for success in L&D. * The Transformation Triangle outlines future roles for L&D professionals. * Voice recognition technology will significantly impact L&D. * Proactive engagement is necessary for L&D to thrive. * Understanding organizational context is key to L&D strategy. * The human element in L&D is essential for effective learning.  Watch the full episode Tinder for L&D, 12 Years of Data- Donald Taylor on What Learning Professionals Think Is Hot and How Often They Are Wrong [https://youtu.be/xvmFM0wMXyo]