James Mackay MSc
Instructional Designer | E-Learning Specialist

Thinking Space

Welcome to my blog

Here you can explore my thoughts and ideas around trends within Instructional Design, E-learning, Adult Education and Coaching. 

Here is what I've been writing:

man with paper being poured in to his head

Knowledge Banking

What's wrong with despositing knowledge, or knowledge banking? It's ineffective. A holistic approach help make learning memorable and stick. Read on to learn why they're so different.
My weekly plan for my first week of personal scrum

My first week of Personal Scrum

Having completed the Google Certificate in Project Management, I decided my life was very VUCA, and looked to adopt an Agile Approach. This is a reflection on my first week of using "Personal Scrum" a framework created by Simon Kneafsey.

E-Learning and Maslow’s Needs

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of Motivational Needs remains as relevant today as it did more than half a century ago. In this article I explore how we can meet learners needs within E-Learning to help get them into the learning zone.
confusion with jumbled letters means an alternative way of coping and thinking

Dyslexia Awareness – My Story

As part of Dyslexia awareness month I would like to share my personal experience with you. I'll tell you about my real struggles, how coping strategies have become my success. I hope to empower others to feel confident to share their stories.
Certificates of achievment of various designs

Printable Certificates in Articulate Storyline

When a course demands a certificate of achievement, high quality is fundamental. This blog posts provides the JavaScript you need in order to produce a peronalised certificate in Articulate Storyline.
Scrimba courses offered on the Coursera.org platform

Scrimba Courses Reviewed from an Instructional Designer Perspective

JavaScript why I found it an important skill to learn to improve Articulate Storyline

Why I Finally Decided to Learn JavaScript

In this article I explore why I found JavaScript an important skill to learn to improve Articulate Storyline 360. Explain the problem and the solution.
Screen showing classic arcade game scene with the words Game over.

Game over! Misuse and Abuse of Gamification

This article explores why the application of game components is not gamification of learning. It also explores how this can have a serious negative effect on the quality of the learning that can be achieved.

Changing Minds, One Question at a Time

Scenario based learning offers a really powerful tool to help bring about Oraganisation and Behavioural change.

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