Robert McGraw, MBA, CPTD

The IKEA Effect teaches us that people place greater value on things they help create—even when imperfect. In digital learning, this principle holds powerful potential. This resource explores how to apply the IKEA Effect in eLearning and microlearning environments. From “build-it” activities and editable scenarios to personalized reflections, these evidence-informed techniques show how to embed ownership and effort directly into the design—no add-ons required. How have you included co-creation techniques in your digital learning solutions? #microlearning #InstructionalDesign #training #neuroscience #instructionaldesigners #elearning #elearningdesign #talentdevelopment #education #learning #PerformanceImprovement #StrategicLearning #PerformanceConsulting #LearningDesign #LxD

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If your accreditation and assessment processes feel fragmented, you’re not alone. Watermark’s Planning & Self‑Study brings assessment planning, program review, strategic planning and accreditation reporting into a single hub. ✔️ Pull in data from your LMS and other Watermark solutions in minutes, no heavy IT lift required. ✔️ Leverage our robust self‑study module with pre‑built templates and a shared evidence library to streamline accreditation reporting. ✔️ Add labor market insights from Lightcast to inform program review and strategic planning. But don't just take our word for it! See how the University of North Alabama cut accreditation reporting time from weeks to minutes with Planning & Self-Study: https://lnkd.in/eYqeYn9Q #HigherEdSolutions #PlanningAndSelfStudy #Assessment #Accreditation #ContinuousImprovement

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NEW PODCAST: How does workforce training contribute to modern manufacturing success? It plays a much more strategic role than you may think. In what ways? Learn more about key issues and opportunities manufacturers face in developing skilled, stable, future-ready teams. Join me, as I dig deeper with Gill Williams, National Sales Manager at Propelr LMS on this episode of the Talented Learning Show podcast. Tune in here ▶️ https://lnkd.in/eSdkwgU4 cc Talented Learning - Research and Consulting #manufacturing #skillsgap #training #learningstrategy #lms

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Instructional Design Approaches For Adult Learners. Most of us on LinkedIn are designing learning for adult learners. If you are new to instructional design, you may not have any background or training in adult learning. This article gets you started on 4 learning theories that can help you in your learning design.

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We've just embedded an interactive avatar in Articulate Storyline. Learners can speak directly to the avatar, and get real-time, intelligent responses. This opens up huge potential for immersive training: roleplays, coaching, language practice, and more, all inside Storyline. We explored how it works in this demo: https://lnkd.in/e8TGKbPW #Storyline360 #elearning #PharmaTraining #LxD #ImmersiveLearning

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Still stuck in the “long course, low impact” loop? 🔁 Traditional eLearning often overwhelms learners and under-delivers results. But microlearning flips the script—with focused, bite-sized modules that fit into daily workflows and boost retention. In this quick video, discover the 5 game-changing reasons why microlearning outshines traditional training—especially when speed and impact matter most. 👉 Explore your smarter training here: https://lnkd.in/gBDcum8Z #Microlearning #TrainingThatWorks #WorkplaceLearning #CorporateTraining #DigitalLearning #LearningAndDevelopment #CommLabIndia

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Whether you're scaling training programs or expanding your reach, we know what it takes to make your content resonate across cultures. Our latest guide is here to equip you with the knowledge, tools, and best practices to ensure your eLearning content connects with learners worldwide. Read more 👉 #eLearningLocalization: The Ultimate Guide to Global Success https://hubs.la/Q039n8RN0 #eLearning #Localization #GlobalTraining #LearningAndDevelopment #TranslationServices #CorporateTraining #GlobalSuccess #Andovar

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Enterprise L&D: If your upfront Performance Analysis Process for L&D doesn’t quickly determine what Ideal/Desired Performance is, and what Current State Gaps exist, and then their causes, you might continue the effort, producing L&D that wasn’t necessary and won't have much/any impact, and thereby you'll Squander Shareholder Equity. Good Stewards of Shareholder Equity don't do that. There are many good approaches to Analysis that you could learn besides mine. Find one and focus on the Performance Outputs and Tasks and the Stakeholder Requirements (the Measures) for both, and inform your project's clients and stakeholders in making the Business Decision to continue post-Analysis/Discovery - and help them address any Gap Causes within their control (not all are). Note: New Hires may need the L&D to help them learn how to perform on-the-job despite gaps and causes - and you should provide them with Performance Guides and/or Learning Experiences that help them avoid the barriers to performance, and how to recover quickly if the barriers were unavoidable - and your Master Performers likely know all of that - although it might be 'non-conscious knowledge' not easily elicited. For eliciting non-conscious knowledge, look into what Richard (Dick) E. Clark calls 'Cognitive Task Analysis - or what I called 'ThoughtFlow Analysis' in one of my books - and 'ThoughtFlow Analysis' is a term I borrowed from Deborah Stone and Steve Villachica from an article of theirs from way back the late 1980s.

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ASCM recently highlighted “25,000 new members, I believe.” That sounds impressive—but it’s only one data point, and not the most important one. In a Dec 6, 2025 Global Partner Update, the ASCM CEO stated that ASCM believes in transparency and that meaningful discussions should be based on multiple data points. I agree—completely. That’s precisely the issue. Well-governed professional associations measure membership health using total active members, net membership gain or loss, and retention rate, all reported over multiple years. New members alone do not indicate success if many fail to renew. If 25,000 members join but more than that leave, the organization has shrunk, not grown—regardless of the headline. One-year snapshots are for marketing. Leadership reports trends. If ASCM truly believes in transparency, it should publish the complete membership picture: renewals, non-renewals, net change, retention, and the ten-year trend. Tell the entire truth. Provide the complete picture.

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“𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝗲𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.” In this clip, Tim Slade reflects on the overlap between accidental instructional designers and those who view eLearning as just content output. The result? Designs that don’t always serve the learner. Great reminder that tools alone don’t make great learning; thoughtful design does. 🎧 Watch the full episode via the link is in the comments. #InstructionalDesign #eLearning #LearningTheory #AdultLearning #LearningAndDevelopment

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Attention L&D pros, IDs, and SMEs! Ever struggle to turn expert knowledge into learner-ready content? You're not alone. After years of translating SME brilliance into clear, performance-driven training, I created a no-fluff SME Guide that’s already making content collaboration smoother, faster, and smarter. This toolkit helps SMEs and instructional designers: 🔹 Set clear, actionable goals 🔹 Cut the “nice-to-know” clutter 🔹 Structure info for clarity 🔹 Align content with how people actually learn It even includes a plug-and-play handoff template to avoid endless email threads and rework. Want a copy? Just comment #SMEGuide below and I’ll send it to you directly via DM.

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Strong instructional systems depend on more than strategy. They rely on people who make the work possible.   Trevor Crandall, Relay’s Director of LMS Operations, brings a unique blend of technical expertise, creativity, and customer-centered thinking to ensure educators and leaders can focus on teaching and learning without unnecessary friction. By designing systems that anticipate user needs and reduce barriers, his work supports schools at every level, from classrooms to central offices.   Explore how thoughtful, human-centered technology leadership strengthens the work of schools and districts every day. Full story here: https://lnkd.in/g-HqKNDy . . #LeadershipInAction #LeverageLeadership #EducationExcellence #RelayGSE #professionaldevelopment

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When it comes to what makes #instructionalcoaching successful, Jim Knight believes one factor rises to the top: clarity. And that’s exactly what an Instructional Playbook provides. It helps coaches and teachers identify high-impact strategies, speak the same language, and move forward together. It reduces confusion, increases focus, and—most importantly—leads to better outcomes for students. In this blog post, Jim breaks down Success Factor 6 and shares how to build and use an Instructional Playbook that truly supports teacher growth. Read the full post here → https://ow.ly/ohnL50WqJVu #InstructionalCoaching #CoachingTools #ImpactCycle

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