Zahraa Khalil

Your Instructional Designers need an efficient path to course readiness. Our interactive resource, "Over 100 Ways to Prep Your Courses for Success" demonstrates the power of automated course reviews using Simple Prep. • Explore by Level: See course validations grouped from Basic to Advanced, showcasing deep flexibility. • Scan by Source: Connect validation checks directly to elements in your LMS (quizzes, assignments, etc.). • See the Logic: Understand the transparent rules Simple Prep uses to automatically assess content quality and compliance. ➡️ Check out the interactive resource here: https://hubs.ly/Q03Y7shL0

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One of the biggest gaps I see with new and aspiring instructional designers is this... They spend a lot of time consuming info about instructional design… But not enough time actually practicing instructional design. That’s why I’m such a big believer in monthly design challenges. So, for February’s challenge, we’re tackling a deceptively simple problem: Helping people learn how to interpret nutrition labels and make better food choices based on specific health conditions. Not through a slideshow. Not through a definition-heavy course. But through a digital learning experience that gives learners the opportunity to practice making decisions, weighing tradeoffs, and seeing consequences. Because that’s the real work. If you can design learning that helps someone DO something differently or better…you’re building the same muscles required for performance-focused instructional design in the real world. If you've never participated in our monthly challenges, we created them to help you can put your skills into practice, build a new portfolio sample, and get more confident in your ability to design real learning. And yes…there’s also a $100 Amazon gift card on the line. 😉 👉 So, if you want a realistic, low-pressure way to stretch your skills and create something portfolio-worthy, check out February’s challenge here: https://lnkd.in/gGaxf-9g #InstructionalDesign #eLearning #LearningAndDevelopment

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Every Instructional Designer has lived this reality… from Need Analysis to LMS upload 😅🎯 If you are an instructional designer, you know the journey is never as smooth as the process models suggest. From need analysis to learning objectives, from SME expectations to storyboarding, every step in eLearning development comes with surprises. Some days the design looks perfect. Some days the SME changes everything. Some days the storyboard makes sense. And some days the course upload on LMS feels like the real victory. 🎉 This is the real life cycle of instructional design, eLearning development, and L&D project workflow that every designer silently experiences. If you work in ✅ instructional design ✅ learning and development ✅ elearning development ✅ curriculum design ✅ corporate training ✅ LMS implementation You will understand this completely 😄 #instructionaldesign #elearning #learninganddevelopment #corporatetraining #elearningdevelopmen

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Most instructional design portfolios fail before hiring managers even open them. Not because of the projects. Because of the website. Your portfolio isn’t just a container for projects. It’s a design artifact. And instructional designers forget something important: eLearning is basically a miniature website. If your portfolio site is: • cluttered • hard to navigate • visually inconsistent • slow or confusing Hiring managers immediately see a problem. Because they assume: “If the portfolio website is poorly designed, the learning experiences probably are too.” A strong portfolio website should show: • clear navigation • thoughtful structure • clean visual hierarchy • simple user experience In other words, it should demonstrate good learning design. Before anyone opens your projects, they’re already evaluating how you design experiences. Your website is the first learning experience they see. Curious: What’s the biggest mistake you see in instructional design portfolios?

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IDs who use AI have a competitive edge over those who don’t. Here are 14 AI tools that can help Instructional Designers ⤵ 💾 Save this list for later AI for Content Creation → Storyline AI Assistant – Prompts for sound effects, images, and more. → Poe.com – Chat with AI from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google in one place. → Skybox AI – Generate stunning 360° images in minutes. → ElevenLabs – Realistic voiceovers + voice cloning. → Canva AI – Magic Edit, remove backgrounds, create images/videos. → Synthesia – AI video with human-like avatars. → Invideo – Turn ideas into videos automatically. → ImagineArt – AI for image and video creation. AI for Collaboration → Notion AI – Automates notes, brainstorming, content structure. → Otter AI – Meeting transcripts + summaries to share with SMEs. → AI Auto-Captioning – Live captions in Google Meet/Zoom. AI for Course Design & Storyboarding → Boords – Storyboarding, scripting, e-learning planning. → ClueLabs – Storyboards, chatbots, subtitling. → Gamma.app – AI slide decks that double as storyboards. ✨ 🤖 Want to use AI to create a standout ID portfolio that showcases AI proficiency and immersive learning — in just 12 focused hours, from topic selection to polished portfolio? 🎁 Comment “Standout” to get the free 12-Hour ID Portfolio Formula + a bonus directly in your inbox! 💬 Then, let me know in the comments which of these you've tried & if there are any other AI tools you swear by.

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Are badges really evil? 👿 It's actually a bit more complicated than that. 👇 Every week, I get questions like from instructional designers stuck in the same cycle: 👉 Deadlines are tight 👉 SMEs have ghosted 👉 And the only “gamification” option on the table is badges In my latest video, I answer the most common questions I hear—like: 🧠 What do you do when your stakeholders insist on badges? 🧠 What's the first step to quickly make content dumps more engaging? 🧠 How do you know if your training will be engaging or just shiny? 🧠 Can you even engage learners in a serious corporate environment? If you're in doubt about how to engage learners successfully, this is for you. Watch the video here: 👉https://lnkd.in/eP4uVzd2

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Most instructional design teams are not slow. They’re trapped inside a production model that is. One hour of eLearning still takes months to build. Too many handoffs. Too many review cycles. Too much production work. And instructional designers spend more time formatting slides than designing learning. That model is overdue for replacement. On March 26, we’re hosting a live LinkedIn session: The 10x Instructional Design Team A practical look at how modern learning teams are building faster, thinking deeper, and delivering stronger outcomes without adding headcount. 📅 March 26 ⏰ 1 PM EST / 10 AM PT Register here: https://lnkd.in/gY5SXjPG Stop building learning like it’s 2010. #eLearning #MissionFuelAI #InstructionalDesign #LandD #FreeWebinar #LiveStreaming

I am excited to see that Guieswende Rouamba Ph.D.'s new book on project management for instructional designers is now available! As someone who had the privilege of reviewing the manuscript, I can attest to how well this book addresses a critical gap in our field. While we excel at learning theories and pedagogical approaches, project management skills are often overlooked; yet, they're essential for bringing our best instructional designs to life. What sets this book apart is its human-centered approach. It's not just about timelines and task lists, but about understanding team dynamics, communication, and the psychology behind successful project execution. Through the compelling narrative of Bob's journey managing multiple design projects, readers gain practical insights that apply whether you're in higher education or corporate training environments. The integration of frameworks like the SCARF Model and Transactional Analysis, combined with real-world strategies for navigating scope creep, stakeholder expectations, and tight deadlines, makes this an invaluable resource for instructional design students and professionals, faculty developing course content, learning experience designers, and team leaders in educational settings. In our rapidly evolving field (especially with AI transforming how we work) the ability to manage complex instructional design projects efficiently isn't optional anymore. It's essential. Congratulations, Guieswende, on this important contribution to our profession! #InstructionalDesign #ProjectManagement #LearningDesign #Education #Training #Leadership

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How an Instructional Designer and Project Management mindset led me to build my own French learning framework Learning French has been one of my biggest challenges. I set this goal not only for personal growth but also to align with my dream of moving to Canada. And honestly, who hasn’t felt stuck when trying to learn a new language? In the middle of my struggles, I started analyzing the process. Instead of pushing harder, I asked myself: how can I make this easier, structured, and more engaging? Little by little, I applied the same lens I use at work, optimizing learning experiences. Before I knew it, I was sketching the foundations of a modular framework for language learning: a system that breaks French A1 into thematic modules, each divided into practice cycles (listening, reading, speaking, writing, integration), with exposure to short texts and dialogues right from the very first lessons. To keep motivation alive, I included gamified challenges and a progression that feels practical and replicable, rather than overwhelming. ❇️ And here’s where Instructional Design and Project Management naturally came together: - Instructional Design → structuring objectives, mapping learning flows, applying Bloom’s taxonomy. - Project Management → defining scope, milestones, and iterative cycles to ensure the framework was practical and replicable. What started as a personal need turned into a professional project (still in development, but already showing potential). And then I thought: why not create something that could also help others facing the same struggles? It reminded me that as Instructional Designers and Project Managers, our skills are not confined to corporate projects. They can empower us in any area where learning, structure, and efficiency matter. 👉Have you ever used your professional toolkit to solve a very personal challenge? I’d love to hear your story. #InstructionalDesign #ProjectManagement #LearningExperience #FrenchLearning #CanadaDream #CareerGrowth

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I'll let you in on a secret. You're designing learning experiences wrong, and it's killing your team's engagement and performance. Here's how to bridge instructional design and technology to create training that actually works. Here's the truth most L&D leaders don't want to hear: Your training is broken, and traditional approaches are failing your team. The old divide between instructional design and technology isn't just a semantics problem—it's costing you real money. While you're stuck debating methodologies, your competitors are creating immersive learning experiences that actually move the needle on performance. Did you know that 70% of employees report being 'checked out' during traditional training? That's not a learner problem. It's a design problem. The most successful organizations are now bridging instructional design and technology, using no-code platforms to create engaging, scenario-based learning that feels more like an experience than a lecture. Imagine training that: • Adapts to individual learning styles • Provides safe practice environments • Delivers measurable performance improvements • Takes hours to create, not weeks or months The future of learning isn't about choosing between instructional design or technology. It's about seamlessly integrating both to create training that employees actually want to participate in. Get the 5-step framework for immersive learning experiences → Read the full strategy

The last Learning Designers Community (LDC) meetup brought together 17 learning designers from ed tech, L&D, K12, and LX design to reflect on #CarlHendrick’s webinar on the Five Illusions of Learning. Like all LDC meetups, the focus was on practice in real learning contexts. As I co-facilitated for the first time, three things stood out for me. #Illusion1: engagement does not always mean learning. We ideated on how to look beyond visible cues, what deep learning means & how activities remain in memory & not learning! #Second, discovery learning may not work for novice learners. We spoke about sequencing content more carefully, providing clearer guidance to new leaners while amping up self-learning challenges for advanced ones. #Third, Small wins help retain continued motivation, especially among younger learners. Most of us were raking our brians on how to find the balance between designing for easy wins vs friction for deeper learning. This space helped access a sense of validation, engagement & fun! Big shout out to Shraddha Rawat Miriam Elnaggar #LDC #LandD #peerlearning #learningcommunity

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Top Tools Every Instructional Designer Should Know in 2025 Creating impactful learning experiences requires the right mix of tools — from content design and eLearning development to AI-powered writing and media production. I’ve compiled my essential toolkit that keeps my projects efficient and engaging. Check it out and let me know which tools you use or recommend! 👇 Share your favourites below! #InstructionalDesign #Elearning #LearningAndDevelopment #EdTech #AItools #ContentCreation #Training

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Instructional Designers have a lot to learn from design thinking. Empathize with learners. Define the real problem. Prototype learning solutions quickly. Test and refine. Too often, training skips empathy and jumps to delivery. That’s how we end up with content that checks boxes but doesn’t change behavior. What if we treated every course as an experiment in solving a human problem, not just a knowledge gap?

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Want to BECOME A BETTER INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER? 🤩 Learn how to: 1. Design solutions that create high return on investment. 2. Confidently know your worth and how you contribute to better results. 3. Master all that goes into creating better learning solutions immediately without spending the time to research blogs, books and videos. 4. Influence stakeholders and get their buy-in through effective communication, which demonstrates the value of your work and your solution. 5. Launch a solution that makes a difference, changes behaviour and matches or exceeds expectations. Includes: ✔️ 4 x 2 hours of group coaching ✔️ 2 hours of personal coaching ✔️ our online course ✔️ our playbook ✔️ project based learning. Who is it for? -Current/aspiring instructional designers -Teachers and those in higher education -Learning and development practitioners -Change managers -Those with qualifications and those without. Go check out our ultimate human-centred design learning experience for instructional designers. Our 8 week 2026 cohort is open for enrolment. 👉 Enrol now (we dare you): https://lnkd.in/gE83qt62 Oh, and we’d appreciate it if you tag someone that may find value in this. 💙💜 #instructionaldesign #learningexperiencedesign

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Want to BECOME A BETTER INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER? 🤩 Learn how to: 1. Design solutions that create high return on investment. 2. Confidently know your worth and how you contribute to better results. 3. Master all that goes into creating better learning solutions immediately without spending the time to research blogs, books and videos. 4. Influence stakeholders and get their buy-in through effective communication, which demonstrates the value of your work and your solution. 5. Launch a solution that makes a difference, changes behaviour and matches or exceeds expectations. Includes: ✔️ 4 x 2 hours of group coaching ✔️ 2 hours of personal coaching ✔️ our online course ✔️ our playbook ✔️ project based learning. Who is it for? -Current/aspiring instructional designers -Teachers and those in higher education -Learning and development practitioners -Change managers -Those with qualifications and those without. Go check out our ultimate human-centred design learning experience for instructional designers. Our 8 week 2026 cohort is open for enrolment. 👉 Enrol now (we dare you): https://lnkd.in/gE83qt62 Oh, and we’d appreciate it if you tag someone that may find value in this. 💙💜 #instructionaldesign #learningexperiencedesign

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Want to BECOME A BETTER INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER? 🤩 Learn how to: 1. Design solutions that create high return on investment. 2. Confidently know your worth and how you contribute to better results. 3. Master all that goes into creating better learning solutions immediately without spending the time to research blogs, books and videos. 4. Influence stakeholders and get their buy-in through effective communication, which demonstrates the value of your work and your solution. 5. Launch a solution that makes a difference, changes behaviour and matches or exceeds expectations. Includes: ✔️ 4 x 2 hours of group coaching ✔️ 2 hours of personal coaching ✔️ our online course ✔️ our playbook ✔️ project based learning. Who is it for? -Current/aspiring instructional designers -Teachers and those in higher education -Learning and development practitioners -Change managers -Those with qualifications and those without. Go check out our ultimate human-centred design learning experience for instructional designers. Our 8 week 2026 cohort is open for enrolment. 👉 Enrol now (we dare you): https://lnkd.in/gE83qt62 Oh, and we’d appreciate it if you tag someone that may find value in this. 💙💜 #instructionaldesign #learningexperiencedesign

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Knowledge Resources Update: 1. AI Prompts for Course Creation by iSpring 2. Claude Co-work Guide for eLearning Professionals Download these useful tool kits here for free: https://lnkd.in/dwMN3nXA

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