Here’s the Latest EduJedi Podcast

The EduJedi podcast series features in-depth conversations with leaders across education and the ed‑tech industry. Each episode combines thoughtful interviews, current research from the Learning Counsel, and the seasoned perspectives of LeiLani Cauthen, who brings more than two decades of experience in education reform, computing, and learning software. The series explores the real, ongoing transformations in teaching and learning and highlights practical insights for school leaders, instructional designers, teachers, and technology specialists.

About This Episode

In this episode of the EduJedi Leadership Society podcasts, host LeiLani Cauthen sits down with Sakon Kieh, a UI/UX and instructional design expert from the D.C. Public School System. Together they examine the evolving relationship between traditional instructional design practices and an emerging digital instructional design paradigm. The conversation focuses on how design approaches are shifting in response to recent disruptions, including the national COVID‑19 crisis, and why those shifts are likely to continue as digital learning becomes more central to schooling.

The episode outlines broad themes rather than prescribing a single path forward. It explores how design thinking, user experience (UX) principles, and careful instructional planning intersect to create learning environments that are engaging, equitable, and sustainable. It also emphasizes that while many fundamentals of instructional design remain valuable, the tools, delivery methods, and user expectations of digital environments require different emphases and new workflows.

Key Themes and Topics Covered

• How the COVID‑19 pandemic accelerated the move toward digital instruction and exposed both opportunities and challenges for instructional design.
• The role of UI/UX in education: creating intuitive, accessible interfaces that support diverse learners and reduce friction for educators.
• Differences between traditional instructional design processes and digital instructional design, including content modularization, interactive elements, and learner analytics.
• Practical considerations for scaling digital learning solutions across districts and schools while keeping equity and access central.
• Strategies for professional learning and teacher support that align with digital design needs.
• How data and user feedback can inform iterative improvements to learning experiences without compromising pedagogical goals.

Who Should Listen

This episode is relevant for district leaders, school administrators, instructional designers, curriculum specialists, classroom teachers, ed‑tech vendors, and anyone interested in the mechanics of designing digital learning experiences. Listeners will find useful context for decision making, whether they are piloting new tools, planning professional development, or refining curriculum to work more effectively in hybrid or fully digital environments.

Benefits of the Conversation

Listeners can expect a balanced, practitioner‑focused discussion that highlights both the design principles that hold true across modalities and the practical shifts required by digital environments. The episode aims to help listeners better understand how to:

• Apply user‑centered design practices to educational contexts.
• Design learning experiences that are accessible, engaging, and scalable.
• Support teachers as they adopt new tools and workflows.
• Use evidence and feedback to refine instructional design iteratively.

Listen to the Podcast

To hear the full conversation between LeiLani Cauthen and Sakon Kieh, search for the EduJedi podcast on your preferred podcast platform or visit the EduJedi podcast directory. The episode provides valuable perspective on where instructional design is headed and practical ideas you can begin to apply in your local context.

For leaders and practitioners seeking to navigate the transition from traditional to digital instructional design, this episode offers grounded insights and perspectives that highlight both challenges and opportunities. It encourages a thoughtful approach to design—one that centers learners, supports educators, and leverages technology deliberately to improve learning outcomes.