Episode 014: Re-Connections

Keywordspodcast, education, AI, instructional design, accessibility, ethics, learning experience design, technology, higher education, updatesSummaryIn this episode, Brandon and Rebecca reconnect after a long hiatus to share updates on their professional lives, discuss the evolving landscape of instructional design, and delve into the implications of AI in education. They explore the transition from traditional instructional design to learning experience design, the challenges of accessibility in AI, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI usage in educational settings. The conversation highlights the importance of critical thinking and engagement with material, as well as the need for collaboration in developing ethical AI practices. They also touch on the tools and technologies they are currently exploring to enhance learning experiences.TakeawaysIt's been about four and a half years since the last episode.Rebecca has experienced significant changes in her professional life.The shift from instructional design to learning experience design is underway.AI is a hot topic in higher education, especially regarding accessibility.Accessibility challenges persist in AI-generated content.Ethical considerations in AI usage are crucial for educators.Collaboration is key in developing AI policies in education.Critical thinking is essential when using AI tools.The importance of engaging deeply with educational material is emphasized.Brandon is exploring new technologies to enhance learning experiences.Chapters00:00 Welcome Back and Updates02:56 Shifts in Instructional Design05:53 Accessibility and AI in Education08:40 Refocusing Efforts and Team Dynamics11:45 Open Source Tools and Collaboration14:36 AI's Role in Accessibility17:35 Exploring AI's Impact on Representation20:13 Tools for Enhancing Accessibility23:12 Comparing AI Tools and Their Outputs28:35 Navigating Ethical AI Usage34:01 Collaborative Understanding of AI in Education44:36 Innovations in AI Tools for Educators53:41 The Future of AI in Educational PracticesShow Notes and ResourcesLomellini, A., Reese, R. M., & Grennell, K. (2023). The Imperfection of Accessibility in Instructional Design: An Ethical Dilemma. Applied Ethics for Instructional Design and Technology: Design, Decision Making, and Contemporary Issues. https://doi.org/10.59668/270.17103Dousay, T. A., Reese, R. M., & Asino, T. I. (2025). Guest Editors' Introduction: AECT24: Framing the Future of Learning and Technology. The Journal of Applied Instructional Design: May 2025, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.59668/2222.21454Cornell University webpage - AI and AccessibilityGoldenthal, E., Park, J., Liu, S. X., Mieczkowski, H., & Hancock, J. T. (2021). Not all AI are equal: Exploring the accessibility of AI-mediated communication technology. Computers in Human Behavior, 125, 106975. Image accessibility creator for creating atl text for images.