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Christy R. McKinney

Christy R. McKinney

Aspiring stay-at-home dog mom meeting learning and development needs with creativity and enthusiasm.

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Musings

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  • Why have a training program?
    Musings

    Why have a training program?

    By

    Employees want opportunities to grow. Learning and development gives them a path: new skills, better habits, deeper knowledge, and more confidence in the job they’re already doing. When people feel like they can grow in a role, they stay in it. That’s not a theory. It shows up in retention numbers everywhere training is done…

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  • Why have a training program?
    Musings

    Why have a training program?

    By

    Employees want opportunities to grow. Learning and development gives them a path: new skills, better habits, deeper knowledge, and more confidence in the job they’re already doing. When people feel like they can grow in a role, they stay in it. That’s not a theory. It shows up in retention numbers everywhere training is done…

    Read More “Why have a training program?” »

    Read More Why have a training program?Continue

  • Photo of Woman Using Laptop
    Creative Tools | Media

    Virtual Meeting Tips

    By

    When the world went remote overnight in March 2020, virtual meetings became a daily reality full of new pitfalls. This video paired practical best practices with humor, built in Wondershare Filmora, to help employees adapt with a little levity.

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  • Iconify: PowerPoint Icon Customization
    Creative Tools | eLearning

    Iconify: PowerPoint Icon Customization

    By

    Iconify closed a common gap in PowerPoint design: learners could insert icons but rarely customized them with intention. Built using the SAM model, the module moved through rapid feedback-driven iterations to balance clear instruction with room for creative exploration.

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  • Red Yellow and Blue Balloons
    Creative Tools | Media

    Powtoon Explored:

    By

    An honest look at Powtoon as a production tool for animated video: an accessible interface and quick turnaround set against the cost of the paid tiers, no offline access, and no dedicated pricing for educators.

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  • Person Holding Black Pen Sketching Flower
    Creative Tools | Media

    Doodly Do? Doodly Don’t?

    By

    An evaluation of Doodly as an instructional design tool: an accessible drag-and-drop interface, real-time preview, and hand-drawn animation style that adds warmth and emotional engagement to learning content.

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  • Two women sharing a happy moment while using a laptop indoors. Smiling and engaged.
    Musings

    Beyond the Screen: Making eLearning Work

    By

    eLearning isn’t new, but it’s often underestimated. It’s more than a convenient tool—it has the power to reshape how people learn when it’s used thoughtfully. On its own, it can widen access, personalize the pace, and make resources instantly available. But like any approach, relying on it too heavily can have downsides. That’s why the…

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  • Musings

    Iconify your presentations

    By

    In the world of eLearning, visuals play a pivotal role in making content both engaging and memorable. While photos, videos, and infographics have their place, icons are powerful tools to distill complex ideas into easily digestible visuals. Recognizing this, I embarked on a journey to create a comprehensive icon training module using Articulate Rise 360….

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  • Musings

    From Learner to Leader: Navigating the Nuances of Coachability

    By

    When I reflect on the role of a manager, fostering coachability within the team becomes paramount. To become effective coaches, individuals must first be adept at being coached. In our current business ecosystem, being coachable is not just a bonus—it’s a cornerstone. Holding onto the notion that there’s nothing left to learn is limiting and…

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  • Musings

    What makes a good presentation?

    By

    It’s the little things. What makes a good presentation?  Is it the speaker? The content?  The visual aid? What about all of it? Everything matters and contributes, but the little things will elevate your presentation to the next level. The speaker can detract from the content, just as poor/inaccurate content can take away from a…

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  • Musings

    Communication

    By

    Communication is more than speaking your mind. Being a good communicator is not the same as being a good speaker. A good communicator knows how to listen as well as speak. In fact, listening is one of the most important tasks for effective communication. It is not enough to just listen to what is being…

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  • Life lessons

    Inspiration

    By

    Today I headed over to Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop Inspiration Button. After several uninspiring, or I don’t know you like that, clicks I was inspired by the following prompt: When I grow up I want to be like… Let’s get something straight. I’m not growin’ up and you can’t make me. I hold dear my…

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  • Musings

    Powtoon Explored: From Concept to Creation

    By

    Diving into Powtoon, I stumbled upon an engaging tool that’s intuitive for crafting animated videos. Think whiteboard animations, spirited cartoon snippets, and micro-learning bursts. Let’s unravel this a bit further, shedding light on its user experience, cost-effectiveness, and a few areas where it might be found wanting. First off, navigating Powtoon is a breeze. Its…

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  • Life lessons

    Nantahala Life Lessons

    By

    A few weekends ago, we spent a Saturday rafting the Nantahala with my oldest. For the past few summers, Juj has been a raft guide, and we have been able to join her on the water.  If you haven’t been white water rafting, it requires clear instructions, listening, and a coordinated effort to keep everyone…

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  • Why have a training program? Musings
  • Two women sharing a happy moment while using a laptop indoors. Smiling and engaged.
    Beyond the Screen: Making eLearning Work Musings
  • Iconify your presentations Musings
  • Another Look at Presenting Presentation
  • From Learner to Leader: Navigating the Nuances of Coachability Musings
  • What makes a good presentation? Musings
  • Communication Musings
  • Inspiration Life lessons

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