Robert Belliveau and Reed Dixon discuss the integration of AI in education. Reed, who directs online faculty experience and innovation at Pima Community College, emphasizes AI's role as a learning companion, sharing personal experiences of using AI for health and learning. They explore AI's potential in creating inclusive learning environments, enhancing student-centered learning, and improving course design and assessment. Reed advises educators to experiment with AI tools, ensure ethical use, and foster student expertise. They highlight the importance of adapting AI to support cognitive processes and maintain academic integrity, suggesting practical steps for educators to incorporate AI effectively in their teaching practices. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reeddickson/

Rob Belliveau sits down with Eryn Steele from Halifax Learning to explore their bold mission: ending illiteracy across Nova Scotia and Canada.
Led by a dedicated team of female educators, Halifax Learning implements the Spell Read program—developed by Dr. Kay McPhee and grounded in structured literacy and reading science. Since launching in 1996, they've transformed countless reading journeys.
When in-person training became challenging, Halifax Learning partnered with NeonTrain's Brightspace platform to bring their methods online. This digital shift has dramatically improved reach, learning outcomes, and teacher training capabilities.
Eryn also discusses how policy initiatives like the No Child Left Behind Act and the Right to Read report have created momentum for evidence-based literacy approaches like theirs. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eryn-steele-514a3465/

Robert Belliveau invites Rhys Waters to discuss the evolution and impact of podcasting on education and learning. Rhys highlights the shift from traditional lectures to podcasts, emphasizing the benefits of storytelling and verbal communication for information retention. They explore the use of podcasts in various settings, including internal corporate training and accessibility for visually impaired individuals. Rhys shares insights on the technological advancements in podcast production, such as AI-driven audio cleanup and voice replacement. They also discuss the importance of defining podcast purpose, audience engagement, and distribution strategies. Rhys praises Neon Train's innovative approach to online learning and the potential of podcasting as an educational tool. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhyswaters/

In this episode, Rob sits down with Layla Zia, Manager of Operations and Strategic Initiatives from the Toronto Center for Learning and Development. Layla shares how moving the Center’s training online has dramatically improved learner engagement and operational efficiency. For anyone wondering how to ace community-building in the digital age, this episode is for you! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/layla-zia/

Happy 2025! Rob kicks off the first episode of All Aboard Season Two with the brilliant Colleen Sandquist, Strategic Partner Manager at ReadSpeaker.

Together Rob and Colleen dive into the world of Assistive Technology in online learning. The two unpack the impact of AI-generated voices in online learning and how text-to-speech technology can help improve learner retention. You won't want to miss this incredible conversation!

With over 20 years of education and assistive technology experience, Colleen believes in empowering learners to become their very best academic selves as they continue on their learning journey. She shares her experiences and passion for helping all learners gain access and understanding to the written word. Colleen is a strong advocate of UDL, equity and personal growth; always striving to make a meaningful impact on partners, higher ed institutions, districts and learners at large. LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-sandquist

Year one of All Aboard is a wrap! 🚂

In our final episode of the year, we serve up a truly inspirational conversation. Rob chats with long-time client and relentless innovator Gary Cox.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the concept of continuous improvement and the many positive outcomes Gary and his team experienced by putting their training online. From increased satisfaction client satisfaction ratings to advanced proficiency with Brightsapce tools, Gary shares all the details of his team's journey with NeonTrain!

A conversation not to be missed!

Guest Bio

Gary Cox is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt at Barrington Consulting, with over 20 years of experience in leading continuous improvement initiatives across sectors like manufacturing, retail, and office environments. He has trained and certified thousands in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, empowering teams to enhance efficiency and quality.

Gary advises organizational leaders on continuous improvement and operational excellence, helping them align process management systems with corporate goals.

Gary’s expertise has earned him a reputation as a trusted mentor and coach for senior leaders. His book, Cultivating Champions of CI, being released in Jan 2025, is described by industry leaders as “essential reading for those looking to drive organizational excellence”.

Connect with Gary

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/garypcox/

Webcast Series on YouTube :

Cultivating Champions of Continuous Improvement - YouTube

In episode 11, Rob sits down with lifelong educator and D2L Teaching & Learning Advocate, Barry Dahl.

Rob and Barry bond over mid-career moves into the world of eLearning. They also discuss why the edtech space provides so many incredible career and lifelong learning opportunities.

Guest Bio

Barry Dahl is a highly sought-after educational advisor with extensive experience as a postsecondary educator and consultant. He has worked on a variety of e-learning quality improvement projects, and is a captivating conference host and speaker.

Barry holds a B.S. degree and a Master's in Accounting from Arizona State University. He spent 17 years as an accounting faculty member, with appointments at ASU, Florida Atlantic University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Lake Superior College (LSC) in Duluth, MN.

Currently, Barry serves as a Teaching and Learning Advocate with D2L. Outside of work, you can find Barry playing tennis in Florida during the winter and fishing on Lake Superior during the summer.

Connect with Barry:

https://barrydahl.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrydahl