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As I sat down with my second (okay, third) cup of coffee this morning, staring at a screen full of tabs like “How to Use AI Like a Pro,” I had a moment of gratitude—for Ctrl+T and the endless curiosity that keeps this field of learning and design alive. We’re all here, wrestling with tools that are evolving faster than our inboxes can refresh, but isn’t that the joy of it? Every click, every discovery, every crash-and-burn experiment reminds me how lucky we are to work in a space where innovation isn’t a buzzword—it’s our daily grind. So, here’s to another week of finds, fails, and figuring it out together.

What’s your most unexpected ‘I can’t believe this actually worked’ moment with a tool or technology?

Thanks for reading!

🎶 What I’m Listening To

For whatever reason, I’m in the mood for ​The Cure​.

👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

​Getting started with AI: Good enough prompting​

📰 News & Notes

No Pain, No Gain: Desirable Difficulties

Nidhi Sachdeva encourages us to lean into the paradox of desirable difficulties! While making learning a bit harder—like adding spaced practice, retrieval tests, or varied scenarios—might frustrate learners in the short term, it builds brain muscles for durable and flexible knowledge. Sure, mistakes and discomfort aren’t fun, but they’re the secret sauce to lifelong learning. Embrace the struggle; your learners will thank you later (even if they grumble now).

🎯 Takeaway: Desirable difficulties make learning tougher in the moment but lead to deeper, longer-lasting knowledge and skills.

What is the effect of different types of cues in educational videos?

Educational videos can be a goldmine for learning—if done right! A recent exploration into the use of cues like highlighting (think: red markers) or eye-tracking simulations (imagine following the teacher’s gaze) in videos reveals a key truth: cues help focus learners’ attention, reducing cognitive overload. While both methods improved learning outcomes, neither significantly outshone the other. The takeaway? Instructional designers should embrace the power of cues to guide learners and help them cut through the noise and focus on what matters!

🎯 Takeaway: Effective cues in educational videos sharpen learners’ focus and lighten cognitive load, making even complex topics easier to grasp.

[ Note: Use your browser’s built-in translation to read this in English.]

The Ecstasy of an Open Brain

Critical periods are fleeting windows of rapid learning, hardwired into our brains. While once thought irreversible, emerging research suggests we may be able to reopen these windows, unlocking new potential for learning and recovery. This mind-bending exploration delves into the ​science behind these critical period​s and their implications for conditions like PTSD, brain disease, and stroke.

🎯 Takeaway: Our brains have special learning windows. New research suggests we can reopen them, boosting learning and healing.

Discover training secrets just by listening!

Tune in on your favorite podcast platform for deep-dive conversations on all things related to online training—from selecting the right system to creating custom courses to measuring results—and turn challenges into triumphs.

🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Arcade

Create interactive demos that engage audiences. It is ideal for training & marketing teams.

https://arcade.software

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Pictographic

Pictographic has 150,000+ illustrations over 10 styles that you can use for your design work

https://pictographic.io/

Warning: This Masterclass May Cause Excessive Training Flexibility (Side Effects Include Success)

Change sucks. Unless you make it your secret weapon. 🎯 On December 12th at 9:00 AM (ET), Megan Torrance and Roy de Vries are hosting a masterclass to help you design training that bends but never breaks. Stakeholder drama? Covered. Better learning experiences? Done. World domination? Optional. Sign up now. It’s free—your future self will thank you.

🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

The future of e-learning interfaces

The LMS is still standing strong. Though it’s evolved from its clunky beginnings, it remains the go-to gateway for corporate learning. But as AI and tech continue to reshape the landscape, could a new era of learning be dawning? Ben Betts joins The Mind Tools L&D Podcast to dissect the past, present, and future of the LMS.

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From Idea to Implementation: A Step-by-Step Guide to Course Creation

Does the idea of building a course from scratch leave you feeling stuck? Join our free expert webinar on December 17th at 11 a.m. EST. Holly Owens, a seasoned educator and instructional designer, will share everything you need to know about creating a course, from shaping your initial idea to delivering it to learners.

🧳 Where’s Mike?

• ​ATD 2025 International Conference​ May 18-21, Washington DC

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

sponsored by iSpring

Sign up here to get Friday Finds in your inbox every Friday.

Thanksgiving’s a time for gratitude, and I’m grateful for the chance to connect with smart people like you every week. Bianca and I are launching a new ​LinkedIn group​ to help make your L&D efforts more impactful. Join us to share insights, discuss challenges, and build a community of marketing-savvy L&D pros. Let’s level up L&D together.

Thanks for reading!

🎶 What I’m Listening To

I’ve been binging ​The Lincoln Lawyer​ on Netflix, and it has a great soundtrack.

👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

​PowerPoint Presentations: Attention & Cognitive Overload​

📰 News & Notes

Getting started with AI: Good enough prompting

Ethan Mollick emphasizes that effective use of AI requires a “good-enough” approach to prompting, not perfection or deep technical expertise. By spending about 10 hours experimenting with AI for practical tasks, users develop an intuition for what works. Treat AI as a collaborative coworker—clear in instructions, iterative in feedback, and unafraid to explore its capabilities. Recognizing AI’s quirks, such as its forgetfulness and infinite patience, helps unlock its potential for productivity, creativity, and even idea generation.

🎯Takeaway: Use AI as a collaborative partner by mastering simple, iterative prompts to leverage its strengths and navigate its limits.

How to Build a Custom GPT for Instructional Design

Dr. Philippa Hardman, shows how building a custom GPT for instructional design enhances task accuracy and consistency by tailoring AI to specific needs, such as writing learning objectives. Using tools like OpenAI’s GPT Builder, even non-tech-savvy designers can create AI “partners” that leverage structured knowledge, follow best practices, and adapt to complex instructional challenges. These GPTs save time, ensure quality, and enable designers to focus on creativity while mitigating risks like bias and context limitations.

🎯Takeaway: Custom GPTs empower instructional designers to streamline repetitive tasks and improve content quality by embedding domain-specific expertise into AI tools.

Is AI-generated video as GOOD as real video in learning?

Research confirms that AI-generated videos can match traditionally produced ones in learning effectiveness and learner perception, according to a study by ​Leiker et al​. This opens doors for scalable, cost-efficient solutions in training and simulations, from soft skills to customer interactions. Moreover, advancements in AI avatars and interactive characters enable dynamic, real-time engagement, pushing the boundaries of experiential learning. As tools like ​Synthesia​ , ​Colossyan ​and others make high-quality video production faster and cheaper, instructional designers can now integrate AI-driven media to amplify learning outcomes without compromising quality.

🎯Takeaway: AI-generated videos deliver learning outcomes on par with traditional ones, offering a scalable and cost-effective alternative for L&D professionals.

Training opportunities give your employees purpose at work

Show your employees you care about their career growth and professional development! By doing so, you’ll not only have a more productive team with a well-rounded skill set, but you may also reduce churn, allowing you to keep top talent more easily.

🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Gamma

Gamma is an AI-powered tool that helps you create presentations, documents, and websites without any design or coding skills.

https://gamma.app

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Kit

Kit is an email marketing tool that offers a generous 10,000-subscriber free plan that is worth checking out.

https://kit.com

Warning: This Masterclass May Cause Excessive Training Flexibility (Side Effects Include Success)

Change sucks. Unless you make it your secret weapon. 🎯 On December 12th at 9:00 AM (ET), Megan Torrance and Roy de Vries are hosting a masterclass to help you design training that bends but never breaks. Stakeholder drama? Covered. Better learning experiences? Done. World domination? Optional. Sign up now. It’s free—your future self will thank you.

🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

The NOCOURSE Approach to Learning Design with Anamaria Dorgo

Anamaria Dorgo flips traditional learning on its head with her bold “No Course” approach. Discover how to build thriving learning communities, spark participant-driven experiences, and harness curiosity and adaptability to fuel lasting impact.

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Master the Finish Line: Pro Tips for Flawless Course Publishing

Frustrated with unexpected errors after publishing an online course? Join a free webinar on Thursday, December 5th, to discover the top 10 eLearning publishing pitfalls that trip up even the best instructional designers — and how to avoid them.

🧳 Where’s Mike?

• ​ATD Core4​, December 4, Online
• ​ATD 2025 International Conference​ May 18-21, Washington DC

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.

sponsored by iSpring

Sign up here to get Friday Finds in your inbox every Friday.

The platform that quite literally changed my life and launched my career has become nearly unrecognizable. Going through my old Twitter threads feels like flipping through a yearbook from a school that burned down – nostalgic and more than a little heartbreaking. Those days of serendipitous connections and vibrant conversations shaped not just my professional trajectory, but connected me with new friends all over the world. While ​I’m dipping my toes into Bluesky​ and finding glimpses of that same early Twitter magic – the earnest discussions, the authentic community building, the ideas shared without all the garbage- it’s bittersweet. A reminder of what we lost, but maybe also a preview of what we might rebuild.

Thanks for reading!

🎶 What I’m Listening To

Ever rediscover an old favorite that you’d sort of forgotten? ​That’s what I did with Al Jarreau this week.​

👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked

​How ChatGPT Works: A Non-Technical Primer​

📰 News & Notes

How to Get Started on Bluesky: A Guide for Beginners

Bluesky is a decentralized alternative to X (formerly Twitter), putting users back in control of their experience. Born from Jack Dorsey’s vision of a more open, user-driven platform, it combines the familiarity of X with powerful customization and privacy features. Whether you’re building a tailored feed, managing your connections, or setting firm boundaries for content, Bluesky makes it easy to create a space that works for you. If you miss the valuable L&D connections from the old Twitter, it might be worth checking it out.

I’ve created an ​L&D Starter pack​ to help you find some of my favorite L&D people who are already over there.

🎯Takeaway: Take Bluesky for a spin if you’re looking to connect with fellow L&D pros in a space free from the chaotic vibes of Twitter/X.

PowerPoint Presentations: Attention & Cognitive Load

If you want your PowerPoint presentations to actually resonate, it’s all about working smarter, not harder. Research using eye-tracking tech shows that the secret to keeping your audience engaged is simplicity—less text, clean visuals, and strategic organization. Overloading slides with too much info? Big mistake. Instead, break it down: small chunks, clear examples before details, and handouts to back it all up. When you align your presentations with how people’s brains really work, you’ll not only capture attention but also make your content stick.

🎯Takeaway: Simplify your slides, focus attention, and align with how the brain works—because clarity drives connection.

The State of Instructional Design, 2024

A recent survey by Dr. Philippa Hardman, conducted in partnership with Synthesia, shows that AI is changing instructional design. Subject matter experts are increasingly designing learning experiences, and performance metrics now prioritize real-world impact. While AI tools streamline workflows, challenges like time constraints and outdated tools persist. The future of instructional design will be shaped by AI-driven innovation and a focus on practical, job-relevant skills.

🎯Takeaway: AI is reshaping instructional design, driving a shift towards practical, impactful learning experiences.

Create new learning opportunities with eLearning content libraries!

Join us on Wednesday, November 20 @ 12 noon CT

Learn how eLearning content libraries can help you meet growing training demands and allow your employees to learn new skills—creating more value for your organization!

🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Build Capable XCL

XCL simplifies training content sharing and tracks learner engagement. It’s a cost-effective solution for flexible learning without the complexity of an LMS.

www.buildcapable.com/xcl

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Consensus AI-powered Search Engine

Consensus is a new breed of academic search engine, powered by AI, grounded in science. Find the best papers while getting instant insights and topic synthesis.

consensus.app

Tired of the Same Old eLearning?

Learn how to design training products that stay flexible in a world of constant change. In this blended masterclass on 12 December at 9:00 am (ET), Megan Torrance and Roy de Vries will show you how to plan for change, handle stakeholder demands, and create better learning experiences for your learners. Stop letting change disrupt your work; start making it your superpower.

🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

Getting the Most Out of Generative AI at Work with Jeremy Utley

Jeremy Utley reveals why many aren’t getting the results they want from AI—and how to fix that. He advocates for active creativity and using AI as a collaborator through experimentation, roleplaying, and iteration. Embrace imperfect ideas, commit to daily practice, and turn learning into action to unlock innovation and productivity.

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Making the Leap from a Seasoned L&D to Training Centre Owner

If you’re an experienced L&D and thinking of taking the next step — opening and growing your own training centre — this guide is just for you! Inside, you’ll find engaging storytelling with legal, financial, and practical advice that will help you start your journey right away.

🧳 Where’s Mike?

• At home searching and planning for my next event.

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

Like this post? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!

Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.