The Learning Alchemy Lab: A Modern Approach to Teaching Online with Dr. Alexis Bjelica

The Hidden Cost of Bad Learning Design (And How to Avoid It)

What happens when a learning designer gets brought into a project way too late? Chaos, confusion, and a whole lot of rework. In this episode, Dr. Alexis shares a real-life case study that highlights one of the biggest mistakes organizations make when building learning programs: bringing in the instructional designer too late. After being asked to “fix” a leadership development program that had already been in development for six months—with launch only three months away—Dr. Alexis walks through the hidden costs of poor instructional planning, disconnected content, unclear learning outcomes, and designing around topics instead of transformation. From overlapping sections and AI-generated surface-level content to cognitive overload and lack of learner engagement, this episode is a powerful reminder that effective learning experiences don’t happen by accident. They are intentionally designed from the start. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Why instructional designers should be involved at the very beginning of a project * The risks of designing training around topics instead of learning outcomes * How unclear audience definitions lead to bloated, unfocused programs * Why too much content creates cognitive overload and disengagement * The hidden problem with multiple SMEs building content in isolation * How AI-generated training content can fall flat without proper context * What backwards design is and why it creates stronger learning experiences * How experiential learning helps information actually stick * Why live cohort programs need interaction, reflection, and practice—not just lectures * The true cost of retrofitting a poorly designed program at the end Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/] Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter [https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter] Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

When Should You Create an Accelerated Online Course? (And When You Shouldn’t)

Accelerated programs are everywhere right now—but faster doesn’t always mean better. In this episode, Dr. Alexis breaks down what actually makes an accelerated course effective (and where most people get it wrong). With a doctorate in online education and deep expertise in course design, she shares how to evaluate whether an accelerated format is the right fit for your content, your learners, and the transformation you’re promising. From cutting unnecessary content to designing for clarity and momentum, this episode will help you avoid the biggest pitfalls—and create a learning experience that truly works, even on a compressed timeline. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * What “accelerated learning” really means (and where it came from) * Why faster does not mean easier—or more effective * How to identify the true non-negotiables in your course content * The difference between sequential vs. modular learning (and why it matters) * How to design for clarity, momentum, and learner success in a compressed format * Why most accelerated programs fail—and how to avoid it * The critical role of instructor presence, feedback, and check-ins * How to balance speed with real transformation (especially for mindset or behavioral work) * The biggest design mistakes that derail learners in fast-paced programs Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/] Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter [https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter] Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

6 Essential Questions for Choosing the Right Learning Management System (LMS)

When you're ready to create an online course, one of the first questions that comes up is: "What LMS should I choose?" In this episode, Dr. Alexis breaks down the learning management system (LMS) selection process so you can make a confident, informed decision without getting overwhelmed by all the options. An LMS can be a powerful tool for housing your course materials, tracking learner progress, facilitating community, and creating a seamless learning experience. But with so many platforms available—and so many bells and whistles being marketed—it's easy to feel stuck before you even begin. Dr. Alexis shares her top six questions to ask when evaluating an LMS, drawing from her experience using at least 12 different platforms throughout her career in education and instructional design. This episode will help you become a savvy consumer of educational technology and choose a platform that truly serves your needs and your learners. What You'll Learn in This Episode: * What an LMS actually does and whether you even need one * The six essential questions to ask before purchasing a platform * How to evaluate pricing structures and avoid overpaying for features you won't use * Why mobile responsiveness and integration capabilities matter * The difference between testing a platform as a creator vs. as a learner * How to assess support services before committing to a platform * Budget-friendly alternatives to traditional LMS platforms Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/] Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

AI for Course Creators: When It Helps—and When It Hurts Your Teaching

AI made your content sharper, faster, "better"—but quietly stripped out the one thing your students actually needed: you. In this episode, Dr. Alexis unpacks the real shift happening in education right now: not whether you should use AI—but how it’s quietly reshaping your voice, your thinking, and your students’ learning experience. Drawing from her own experience of over-relying on AI (and losing her ability to write in the process), she breaks down where AI actually supports great teaching—and where it subtly undermines it. Whether you’re a coach, course creator, or educator, this episode will challenge how you’re using AI—and help you return to more intentional, human-centered teaching. In This Episode: • Why relying on AI for learning outcomes creates more confusion—not clarity • The difference between AI as a tool vs. a crutch (and how to tell which one you’re using) • How overusing AI can lead to losing your voice—and your confidence • Why “productive struggle” is essential for learning (and how AI can accidentally remove it) • The hidden cost of AI-generated feedback—and why it often feels empty to learners • Why human presence, vulnerability, and nuance can’t be automated • How AI can overload your curriculum with ideas—and lead to burnout • Where AI actually shines: refining, simplifying, and brainstorming with intention • How to use AI as a thought partner instead of a decision-maker • The role of AI in improving accessibility without sacrificing quality • The mindset shift that helps you use AI without losing what makes your teaching powerful Evaluate How You're Using AI in Your Teaching: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/aisurvey [https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/aisurvey] Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/] Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

How to Handle Awkward Silence in Virtual Training Without Panicking

You ask what you think is a brilliant question. Then… crickets. That awkward silence makes you wonder: Was it my question? Is it me? Should I just start talking for them? In this episode, Dr. Alexis tackles one of the most uncomfortable moments in facilitation—when participants stay silent and you're left scrambling. Drawing from her own experience in a leadership training program full of awkward pauses, she breaks down the real reasons people don't speak up (hint: it's usually not what you think) and shares evidence-based strategies from instructional design to create conditions where engagement feels natural, not forced. Whether you're leading webinars, workshops, coaching sessions, or online courses, this episode will change how you think about silence—and give you practical tools to work with it instead of against it. In This Episode: • Why silence doesn't always mean disengagement—and the three types of silence you need to recognize • The psychological risk of speaking first that keeps your most thoughtful participants quiet • How vague or overly abstract questions sabotage participation (and what to ask instead) • The "one word" strategy that lowers cognitive load and invites everyone into the conversation • How to use chat, polls, and emojis to create multiple on-ramps for participation • The power of breakout rooms for reducing social pressure • The icebreaker technique that creates psychological safety without being cheesy or awkward • How to acknowledge vulnerability in a way that unlocks the room and encourages brave sharing • Why silence feels twice as long to you as the facilitator—and how to get comfortable with the pause • The mindset shift that transforms facilitation Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/] Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ [https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/] Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.