Human by Design: Nano Learning Lessons from the People's Professors
A mechanic explaining engine repair. A barista demonstrating latte art. A knitter teaching cable stitches. None have instructional design training. Most don’t identify as educators. Yet they teach millions daily through TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
Researchers call this “nano learning”: focused learning objectives delivered in brief, highly engaging segments. These creators intuitively apply strategies that align with cognitive load theory, Mayer’s multimedia principles, and social learning theory. They do this without ever studying them.
This session demonstrates “The People’s Professors,” an interactive game-based learning experience that helps instructional designers recognize and apply nano learning strategies from accidental educators. Participants will explore the “Kingdom of Engagement,” collect five Pedagogical Artifacts (Hook Gem, Chunk Crystal, Visual Scroll, Participation Orb, Series Compass), and interact with the “Spot the Strategy” game.
The project addresses “Human by Design” on two levels. First, it studies the most human teachers: ordinary people who connect with audiences through intuition, not algorithms. Second, it models AI as a developer sidekick, not a replacement. Using “vibe coding” (AI-assisted development), I built this tool by describing what I wanted and iterating with AI. This approach makes game-based learning development accessible to designers without traditional programming skills. The AI helped me build. The human insights made it meaningful.
Participants leave with practical frameworks for translating creator techniques into formal learning contexts and a model for using AI as a creative partner.
Emily Green, Full Sail University, USA
Emily Green is the founder of Caboodle Design, a learning design consultancy that helps Fortune 500 companies like Apple, Airbnb, GitLab, and Intuit turn complex behavior-change challenges into learning experiences that actually work. With 14+ years in the field and a freshly minted M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology from Full Sail University (Salutatorian, 2026), she operates at the intersection of instructional design, behavioral science, and media production.
Dr. Rebecca Meeder, Full Sail University, USA
Dr. Rebecca Meeder is currently a Course Director at Full Sail University’s Instructional Design and Technology Master’s program and teaches online courses in Corporate Training & Motivational Development and Digital Media & Learning Applications. She has worked at various companies and organizations including University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Nintendo, Ellucian, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Northwest University, and the Bellevue School District.
Dr. Reo McBride, Full Sail University, USA
Dr. McBride has a PhD in Instructional Psychology and Technology from Brigham Young University, an MAED in Education Administration from East Carolina University, and a BS in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University. He works at Full Sail University Online as a Course Director for both Instructional Design and Evaluation, as well as Instructional Design and Technology Capstone Project. He enjoys helping both educators and corporate trainers create interactive and engaging eLearning modules and presentations.
