Workshop Information

Facilitator Bio:

Ashley Chiasson is an award-winning Instructional Designer and eLearning Developer, with over 15 years of experience. She is the Director of Learning at Artha Learning and holds a Masters of Education (Post-Secondary Studies) and a Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics and Psychology).

Workshop Information:

Most learning experiences, such as instructor-led or eLearning, webinars, and workshops, have one thing in common: An Instructional Designer (ID) was involved. Instructional Design is a process that engages learning theories, instructional strategies, and a systematic approach to determining training needs, designing, developing, and implementing appropriate solutions to those needs, and evaluating the success of the end product.

Objectives:

• Understand the historical overview of Instructional Design.
• Explore principles and processes of Instructional Design.
• Review the concept of Instructional Design models and how they can support pedagogical best practices for teaching and learning.
• Consider methods for leveraging AI in your Instructional Design practices.

Audience: Novice

BYOD: Yes - participants are advised to bring a laptop that is fully charged to this workshop.  Power bars will be available but may need to be shared throughout the day. 

Facilitator Bio:

Bianca Baumann is VP, Learning Solutions & Innovation at Ardent Learning. Over time, she has developed processes and methodologies to help organizations meet their growth targets with the help of innovative L&D approaches, including workforce transformations, onboarding, and reskilling programs. She has spearheaded multiple projects in the marketing, automotive, financial, and events industries, creating award-winning programs along the way. She shares her expertise in her blog and at global conferences. She teaches Learning Experience Design at OISE. She co-authored the book “Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro”.

With over two decades of real-life, in-the-trenches experience designing and delivering learning experiences, Mike Taylor understands that effective learning isn’t about the latest fad or trendy new tools. Known for his practical, street-savvy style, Mike is a regular and highly-rated speaker at industry events, and consults on learning design and technology at National in Columbus, Ohio. Mike holds an MBA degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree in educational technology from San Diego State University. He co-authored the book “Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro”.

Workshop Information:

By adopting techniques from the marketing field, L&D professionals can break out of the traditional mold and create experiences that truly resonate with learners. With the thoughtful integration of AI into the design process, L&D pros can speed up the process while maintaining a high-quality level of output which will delight learners. The workshop consists of three parts:

• Part 1: Learner personas, learning journeys, and campaigns. You will create a learner persona and a learner journey for a sales consultant at KitchensLuxe Co., a fictitious company. You will also design a learning campaign that engages and excites your learners.
• Part 2: Campaign assets. You will create assets for your campaign, such as landing pages, videos, and more.
• Part 3: Shark-Tank-Style presentation. You will present your campaign to the other participants and compete for the best campaign award. You will also reflect on your learning and takeaways.

You will use ChatGPT, other AI tools, and traditional marketing tools to speed up the process and maintain quality. By the end of the workshop, you will have a portfolio of assets and an expanded network of L&D professionals. Join us and revolutionize your L&D approach!

Objectives:

• How to apply marketing principles to L&D.
• How to use AI tools to enhance and streamline your L&D process.
• How to design learner-centric solutions.
• How to create various assets for your learning campaign.

Audience: Intermediate/Advanced

Software/Platforms Used: LLMs and Marketing Tools

Bring your own device: Yes - we will be using a variety of LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini etc.) and you can pick which one you want to use for the day. Participants are advised to bring a laptop that is fully charged; power bars will be available but may need to be shared throughout the day. 

Facilitator Bio:

Josh has been creating learning solutions for corporations, government agencies, and higher education institutions for thirty years. He is an expert in Learning and development and has applied his industry experience to the use of large language models and other Generative AI frameworks for human performance. Josh is passionate about sharing his knowledge. He has a popular YouTube channel and weekly live show, Brainpower, where he teaches you how to use Generative AI step-by-step. He is a seasoned speaker who has presented at conferences such as ATD, TechKnowledge, DevLearn, Learning Solutions, NAB, and Adobe MAX. He has been a keynote speaker at ATD Houston’s Virtual Technology Conference and Learning DevCamp.

Workshop Information:

The rapid emergence of generative AI tools has revolutionized the landscape of multimedia content creation, presenting both opportunities and challenges for instructional designers. This hands-on workshop introduces participants to practical applications of generative AI tools specifically tailored for creating interactive multimedia learning experiences. Participants will explore key tools including text-to-image generators, AI-assisted video creation, interactive scenario builders, and automated content adaptation systems. Through guided exercises, attendees will learn to effectively prompt these tools, understand their limitations, and integrate them into their existing workflow while maintaining pedagogical integrity. The workshop emphasizes ethical considerations and best practices for using AI tools in educational content development. Participants will leave with practical templates, workflows, and strategies for leveraging generative AI to enhance engagement, accessibility, and learning outcomes in their instructional materials.

Objectives:

• How to select and evaluate appropriate generative AI tools for specific multimedia learning objectives.
• Techniques for crafting effective prompts that generate pedagogically sound multimedia content.
• Optimize User Engagement: The session will empower participants to creatively embed content within Rise, fostering interactive and engaging learning experiences that go beyond the typical constraints of the platform.
• Methods for adapting and customizing AI-generated content to maintain brand consistency and instructional integrity.
• Strategies for integrating AI tools into existing instructional design workflows while addressing accessibility requirements.

Audience: Novice/Intermediate

Software/Platforms Used: ChatGPT, Midjourney, Synthesia, Runway, Descript

Bring your own device: Yes - participants are advised to bring a laptop that is fully charged to this workshop.  Power bars will be available but may need to be shared throughout the day. 

Facilitator Bio:
Mike is an award winning, senior learning advisor with over 20 years in corporate training, process improvement, and performance management. He specializes in performance-based, digital learning programs that align learning to organizational goals. Mike's credentials include the CTDP from the Institute for Performance and Learning and a MSc. IPT from Boise State University. He is the co-founder of the Toronto Storyline User Group. In his personal life, Mike is a dedicated rugby enthusiast and coach, he also has a talent for cooking and is known for throwing themed feasts and parties. His also loves board games, where his current obsession is Ark Nova. Underestimate him at your own peril - he's a three-course, board gaming, rugby force of nature!

Workshop Information:

This comprehensive day-long workshop revolutionizes Rise 360 course development by combining sophisticated design systems with intelligent tool integration. The program is structured in two powerful segments: first, mastering the creation of distinctive design systems, and second, implementing smart integrations with Airtable and Mailchimp.

Morning Session: Participants will learn to break free from Rise's visual constraints by creating comprehensive design systems. Through hands-on exercises, they'll master:

• Creating distinctive visual themes using free web resources
  Developing reusable design components and patterns.
• Building and maintaining a cohesive design library.
• Implementing color theory and typography hierarchies.
• Creating template variations for different learning contexts.

Afternoon Session:

Building on these design foundations, participants will elevate their courses through strategic tool integration:

• Creating dynamic resource libraries with Airtable integration.
• Implementing learner preference collection via Mailchimp.
• Setting up NPS feedback loops throughout the learning journey
• Building automated reporting dashboards.
• Creating adaptive content delivery systems.

Objectives:

• How to build a simple but effective design system for Rise courses.
• How to integrate free web resources to enhance your Rise courses.
• How to extend Rise functionality to be a document repository.
• How to integrate simple metrics to improve learner engagement.

Audience: Intermediate/Advanced

Software/Platforms Used: Articulate Rise 360, Airtable, Mailchimp

Bring your own device: Yes - participants are advised to bring a laptop that is fully charged to this workshop.  Power bars will be available but may need to be shared throughout the day. 

Facilitator Bio:

Ron has 40 years of experience in organizational effectiveness, leadership coaching, instructional design, spiritual development, and experiential learning. His unique background has allowed him to support a wide range of customers, from schools like Duke University and Harvard Business School to multinational corporations. In 2002, Ron founded “Real-ationships”, a consulting firm and outdoor challenge course devoted to assisting individuals and organizations in increasing their performance while developing and maintaining authenticity and integrity. After joining Yukon Learning in 2008, Ron began working closely with the Articulate team to design and develop the certified training programs for the Articulate suite of tools.

Workshop Information:

With Articulate Storyline, you can build highly interactive online courses. It’s simple enough for beginners and powerful enough for experts. Storyline has many features to offer, and you can break them all down into simple, easy-to-use steps. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the building blocks of this easy-to-use software that allows you to make anything from simple, functional online courses to powerful and engaging courses, with no coding required. You will learn about using functionality such as slides, states, layers, and triggers to create engaging interactions to bolster your learning experiences.

Objectives:

• After this session, you will be able to navigate through the basic functions of Storyline.
• After this session, you will be able to define and use slides, states, layers, and triggers.
• After this session, you will be able to develop scenes and slides with course content.
• After this session, you will be able to enhance course content with multimedia.

Audience: Novice/Intermediate

Software/Platforms Used: Articulate Storyline 360

BYOD: Yes - participants are advised to bring a laptop that is fully charged to this workshop.  Power bars will be available but may need to be shared throughout the day. 

Facilitator Bio:
Tracy Parish is an accomplished instructional designer, eLearning developer, and consultant based in the Greater Toronto area. With a unique blend of skills in computer programming, adult education, and eLearning design/development, she has built a successful career in instructional design. With over 20 years of experience in instructional design, development, LMS implementation and administration, Tracy is a respected figure in her field. She is a speaker, active Articulate Community Hero, the Administrative Director | Chair of the Canadian eLearning Conference, and co-host of the Toronto Storyline User Group.

Workshop Information:

This workshop empowers instructional design beginners and those seeking fresh inspiration by providing a comprehensive foundation in visual design principles applicable to various projects, such as elearning modules, job aids, and presentations. Attendees will engage in an interactive journey, starting with exploring key sources and methods for finding design inspiration, including an overview of current trends. Through hands-on activities and group discussions, participants will dissect examples of poor design choices, collaboratively identifying strategies for improvement to enhance the learner experience. Attendees will then deconstruct existing designs to distill essential components, using them as blueprints to create their own design elements and templates tailored for delivering impactful learning content. Practical tips and techniques shared during the workshop will be immediately applied as participants sketch samples, construct mockups, and develop wireframes, preparing them to apply these newly acquired skills directly in their professional practice.

Objectives:

• How to apply visual design concepts to your projects in ways that people typically consume content.
• How to use visual design principles and color theory to make your work stand out.
  
• How to identify real-world examples that can be repurposed for successful e-learning design.
• How to use various tools and resources for creating visually stunning eLearning courses.

Audience: Novice/Intermediate

Software/Platforms Used: PowerPoint (or similar), eLearning authoring tool of choice (e.g. Storyline) [optional]

BYOD: Yes - laptop, ability to connect to conference wifi/internet, ability to connect to Google Drive and Dropbox (or USB) to access workshop files. Participants are advised to bring a laptop that is fully charged to this workshop.  Power bars will be available but may need to be shared throughout the day. 

Facilitator Bio:
Mark Sheppard - whether it’s coming up with new solutions to age-old challenges or conveying those experiences with conference or podcast audiences, Mark Sheppard embraces the opportunity to learn and share. Over the course of more than 35 years in the field, he has benefitted from being immersed in a rich milieu of working environments ranging from medical software through Indigenous governments and military aviation to automotive engineering. He is the owner and founder of 2Sphynx Innovations, an L&D consultancy serving the public and private sectors in Canada and the US. He holds certificates in adult training and development, and human resources management; a diploma in graphic communications; and a master’s degree in learning and technology.

Mark Oehlert is an anthropologist and historian who has built a career at the forefront of eLearning, innovation, and workplace transformation. I have developed strategies that harness technology to enhance organizational learning for the U.S. federal government and the technology sector. My work includes managing enterprise-level programs in online training, enterprise social networks, and workplace collaboration. I’ve partnered with Fortune 500 executives to interpret emerging technologies and drive cultural shifts that optimize their use. As a consultant, program manager, and leader, I specialize in crafting initiatives that empower organizations to thrive in a digital world.

Workshop Information:

eLearning is a space that's ripe for innovation and change. We need to contintually demonstrate value to the business and to our learners, but it's essential that you are well-equipped to take the right steps in your innovation journey. In this immersive and hands-on workshop, e-learning practitioners, designers, and leaders learn about the interconnected roles played by creativity and innovation as pillars for continuous improvement. The workshop focuses on core principles such as Systems Thinking, Design Thinking, and structured change to empower participants to leverage creativity as a driving force for innovation.

Objectives:

• The fundamental practices that drive innovation in the eLearning space.
• How to apply a Systems Thinking approach to your innovation efforts.
  
• How to leverage industry tools such as an innovation canvas to build a comprehensive innovation roadmap.
• The roles played by creativity and innovation and how to harness each one to drive meaningful change.

Audience: Intermediate