Navigating the Journey: Caroline Amberson's Transformation Through Instructional Design

Curiosity turns into clarity when a seasoned teacher names the practices that work. Jackie sits down with Caroline Amberson, a K–12 demonstration teacher who completed her M.S. in Instructional Design at Grand Canyon University, to unpack how research transformed instinct into intention. She walks us through the moment Mayer’s multimedia principles gave her a common language, how UDL and cognitive load theory run alongside them, and why the Kirkpatrick model finally made evaluation feel practical across classrooms and PD.What makes this conversation sing is the translation layer. Caroline shows how she rebuilt project-based learning into nimble microlearning and scenario-based experiences that her students ask for, using Genially’s branching paths and embedded audio to differentiate without chaos. We get specific about tool choices—when linear, streamlined content suits Canva and when interactive decision-making calls for Genially—so listeners can pick the right medium without overloading learners.If you care about creating learning that actually works—clear, accessible, and grounded in evidence—you’ll find practical steps you can use today. Subscribe, share this conversation with a colleague who designs learning, and leave a review to help more educators discover it. What’s one design choice you’ll rethink this week?📢 Call-to-Action: After listening to this episode, take a few minutes to jot down one way you’d like to grow as a learning designer this year—whether that’s exploring a graduate program, updating your portfolio, experimenting with microlearning, or trying a new strategy in your classroom. Then, choose one small step you can take this week to move in that direction and put it on your calendar. Send Jackie a TextJoin PodMatch!Use the link to join PodMatch, a place for hosts and guests to connect.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show💟 Designing with Love + allows you to support the show by keeping the mic on and the ideas flowing. Click on the link above to provide your support.☕ Buy Me a Coffee is another way you can support the show, either as a one-time gift or through a monthly subscription. 🗣️ Want to be a guest on Designing with Love? Send Jackie Pelegrin a message on PodMatch, here: Be a guest on the show🌐 Check out the show's website here: Designing with Love📱 Send a text to the show by clicking the Send Jackie a Text link above. 👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!