Episode Description
Interactivity is one of those words that sounds obvious until you try to design for it. If you’ve ever felt pressure to add branching scenarios, animations, or expensive eLearning interactions to prove a course is “engaging,” we’re calling that myth out directly: interactivity does not require fancy tools.
In this episode, Jackie walks you through why this belief has lasted in instructional design and education, especially when stakeholders equate visual polish with learning value. We unpack the hidden problem behind click-heavy courses that still feel passive, and we draw a clear line between decorative interactivity and purposeful engagement. The real measure is not how much learners touch the screen. It’s whether they are thinking, deciding, practicing, reflecting, and applying in ways that match the learning goal.
You’ll leave with practical, low-tech strategies you can use in online learning, classroom training, blended learning, and professional development: reflection prompts that actually drive insight, quick scenarios that create decision-making, self-checks with meaningful feedback, and simple discussion structures that move learners from exposure to performance. Jackie also shares a myth reset challenge to help you review one lesson or module and redesign it around the learner actions that matter most.
If you find this helpful, subscribe to the podcast, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review so more instructional designers and educators can build better learning experiences. What’s one “simple” interaction you’ve used that created real engagement?
🔗 Episode Links
Please check out the resource mentioned in the episode. Enjoy!
Myth Reset Case File: Low-Tech Interactivity
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