Ep. 20: Experiment First, Design Later with Tom McDowall

In this episode, Tom McDowall joins us for a deep dive into learner autonomy, performance-focused design, and the real role of L&D in a fast-changing world. We unpack what it means to give learners control, how to balance autonomy with compliance, and why experimentation - not training - is often the better answer. From Dungeons & Dragons to chatbot-driven learning, Tom shares sharp insights and practical ideas for rethinking how we support performance at work.

Connect with Tom

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcdowall/

Website: https://tommcdowall.com/

The iDeas Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvjaaAi-H8MW_yYwpqgtKXgL15cFaKhd

Instructional Design Tips YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/InstructionalDesignTips

Connect with Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Connect with Vidya

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/