

The Dr. Luke Hobson Podcast
Dr. Luke Hobson
The Dr. Luke Hobson Podcast discusses designing learning experiences, teaching, and learning. The purpose of this show is to help folks, like yourself, learn about best instructional design practices by sharing stories and bringing on incredible guests. We also discuss career tips and guidance for transitioning into instructional design and related learning and development positions. Other podcast topics include higher education and online learning. If you are a learning nerd, you are welcomed here.
Dr. Luke Hobson is the Senior Instructional Designer and Program Manager at MIT xPRO and a Lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development. He's also the author of the book What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer, the host of the Dr. Luke Hobson Podcast and YouTube Channel, and the Instructor for Instructional Design Institute. Dr. Hobson was named as one of the top learning influencers in 2022 and top e-learning experts in 2023.
Dr. Luke Hobson is the Senior Instructional Designer and Program Manager at MIT xPRO and a Lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development. He's also the author of the book What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer, the host of the Dr. Luke Hobson Podcast and YouTube Channel, and the Instructor for Instructional Design Institute. Dr. Hobson was named as one of the top learning influencers in 2022 and top e-learning experts in 2023.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 5, 2025 • 31min
4C/ID for Foreign Language Communication Teaching with Anna Lebedinets
In this episode, I sit down with Anna Lebedinets, a researcher and instructional designer exploring how empathic listening and culturally nuanced communication can transform language learning. Her and her colleagues recent study examines how integrating psychological and sociocultural components within the 4C/ID model can bridge performance gaps and enhance students' preparedness for real-life cross-cultural interactions. We discuss why traditional language teaching often falls short in developing meaningful communication skills and how this innovative approach can help learners become more culturally adaptive. 👉 Learn more about Anna and her research: LinkedIn Publication ResearchGate 👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript and Blog 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructional design skills to the next level 🙌Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course 📚So, you want to become an instructional designer? 📙 My Book 👉 Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube 👉 Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Feb 20, 2025 • 34min
Inside the Life of an Instructional Designer in Higher Education
What's it like working as an instructional designer in higher education? Let's talk about it all: the day-to-day, rewards, growth, compensation, politics, etc. 👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript and Blog 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructional design skills to the next level 🙌Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course 📚So, you want to become an instructional designer? 📙 My Book 👉 Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube 👉 Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Feb 6, 2025 • 25min
30 Shorts in 30 Days - What I learned from a YouTube Challenge
What happens when you upload 30 shorts in 30 days? Here's what I learned and what you can pickup from doing these kind of timed challenges. 👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript and Blog 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructional design skills to the next level 🙌Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course 📚So, you want to become an instructional designer? 📙 My Book 👉 Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube 👉 Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Jan 22, 2025 • 56min
Teaching and Designing a Taylor Swift Literature Course with Dr. Matt Kinservik and Rachel Lapp
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Matt Kinservik, a literary expert and professor, and Rachel Lapp, a self-proclaimed Taylor Swift expert and instructional designer, as they share the behind-the-scenes journey of co-creating a one-of-a-kind college course focused on Taylor Swift. Together, they discuss how their distinct expertise combines to craft an innovative curriculum and how they not only marketed the course with social media, but how they let students use Gen AI. Swifties and educators alike—this one’s for you! 👉 More About the Course and Staff: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tortured_profs_dept IG: https://www.instagram.com/torturedprofs/ Rachel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-lapp-a8255519/ Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-kinservik-80a85226/ University of Delaware: https://www.udel.edu/academics/winter-summer/ 👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript and YouTube video 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructional design skills to the next level 🙌Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course 📚So, you want to become an instructional designer? 📙 My Book 👉 Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube 👉 Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Jan 9, 2025 • 17min
Why Discussion Boards Get a Bad Rap and How to Fix Them
👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post Breaking the Humdrum of “Post Once & Reply to 2” Online Discussions 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructional design skills to the next level 🙌Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course 📚So, you want to become an instructional designer? 📙 My Book 👉 Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube 👉 Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace
Dec 12, 2024 • 18min
Side Hustles for Educators
In a recent poll, I asked educators (instructional designers, professors, teachers, developers, etc.) if they had a side hustle. 578 educators voted and 56% said yes. What opportunities are out there for educators though? In this episode, I'll share with you common side hustles for educators. 👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course Dr. Tom Tobin's Episode Christy Tucker's Episode Dr. Jason Gulya's AI Services Dr. Nicole LEtoile's New Course 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructional design skills to the next level 📚So, you want to become an instructional designer? 📙 My Book 🎤 My interview platform recommendation (Riverside) ✍ Backwards Design Course 👥 Join our Group 👉 Connect with me: 👨💼 LinkedIn 🐦 Twitter 👨💻 Blog 🙌 Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Nov 27, 2024 • 26min
What to Do When You Can't Follow Your Instructional Design Model
Discover the challenges of instructional design when traditional models meet chaotic project demands. The host shares a personal experience of adapting the backward design model, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and teamwork. Perfect for those navigating the complexities of designing learning experiences in unpredictable environments!

Nov 15, 2024 • 21min
The Power of Immersive Learning: Why It Works and Real-World Success Stories
Explore the fascinating world of immersive learning and its transformative power in education. Discover how technology like virtual reality and simulations enhances training in fields such as healthcare and athletics. Learn about innovative approaches to foster empathy in rehabilitation programs, and uncover the challenges of accessibility and cost-effectiveness in implementing these technologies. The discussion is filled with real-world success stories that showcase the effectiveness of immersive strategies in engaging learners.

Oct 31, 2024 • 19min
Imagineering Instructional Design: Insights Inspired by Disney World
What can Disney World teach us about instructional design? Well, quite a bit! Here are some insights from the most magical place on earth. 👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post WCAG Dr. Nicole's New Course New YouTube Video on SMEs 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructional design skills to the next level 📚So, you want to become an instructional designer? 📙 My Book 📗The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learning Developers (IDOLs) 🎤 My interview platform recommendation (Riverside) ✍ Backwards Design Course 👥 Join our Group 👉 Connect with me: 👨💼 LinkedIn 🐦 Twitter 👨💻 Blog 🙌 Support the Channel! Check out IDOL Courses Academy Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Oct 16, 2024 • 17min
What to Do When Your SME Ghosts You: 5 Strategies to Re-Engage
Don't you just love when you're working on a project, and suddenly your SME ghosts you? You have no idea why or what happened, but what you do know for sure is that your project is dead in the water until you hear from them again. So, how do you reengage? In today's blog and podcast, I'll share five tips to help you get things back on track. 👉 Mentioned Links: Transcript and blog post 👉 Recommendations: 🎓Take your instructional design skills to the next level 📚So, you want to become an instructional designer? 📙 My Book 📗The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learning Developers (IDOLs) 🎤 My interview platform recommendation (Riverside) ✍ Backwards Design Course 👥 Join our Group 👉 Connect with me: 👨💼 LinkedIn 🐦 Twitter 👨💻 Blog 🙌 Support the Channel! Check out IDOL Courses Academy Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace


