What My Master’s in Education Taught Me That No Tech Tool Ever Could

In today’s world of instructional design, technology is everywhere—and that's impressive. (Even the image that you see here is AI generated.)

AI tools can generate outlines in seconds. Learning management systems track progress down to the minute. Authoring tools offer drag-and-drop simplicity and beautiful interfaces. And don’t get me wrong—I use these tools every day. They make my workflow faster, my courses more interactive, and my learners more engaged. But as an Instructional Designer with a Master’s in Education, I often find myself returning to a truth that’s easy to forget in the era of tech-driven learning:

Technology can enhance learning—but it can’t replace an understanding of how people actually learn.

My degree in Education wasn’t about fancy tools or production software. It was about theory, psychology, pedagogy, and people. It gave me the kind of insight that doesn’t show up on dashboards or in AI prompts.

Here’s what it taught me—things no tool has ever been able to do on its own:

1. Learning is Cognitive and Emotional

Understanding concepts like cognitive load, schema theory, and metacognition gave me a foundation for designing experiences that respect how our brains take in information. But equally important were the lessons in motivation, self-efficacy, and mindset—reminders that learning is deeply emotional, too.

No software can detect when a learner is feeling overwhelmed or disengaged. But a thoughtful design, informed by educational theory, can anticipate those moments and build support into the structure.

2. Scaffolding Is Everything

In education, scaffolding isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a mindset. My training taught me how to break complex concepts into manageable parts, building a bridge from what learners already know to what they need to know next.

Tech can help deliver those steps. But it takes a human understanding to determine what those steps should be, and why they matter.

3. Learning happens in Context

One of the most powerful things I learned was that learning is social, contextual, and dynamic. It is not a linear process. Individuals bring prior experiences, biases, and learning preferences to the table.

Effective instructional design isn’t about building the “perfect” course. It’s about designing for real people—which means accounting for nuance, variation, and adaptability.

The Role of Tools—And Their Limits

I am not anti-tech. In fact, I embrace technology and its potential to transform education. I have built engaging learning experiences using tools that didn’t exist when I first started in education. Technology has made it possible to scale learning across teams, borders, and time zones. It’s powerful, and it’s here to stay.

But what good is a tool if we don’t know how to use it with intention?

My Master's in Education gave me the lens through which I evaluate every feature and function. It taught me to ask:

Will this help the learner understand or just consume?
Is this interactivity adding value or just adding clicks?
What evidence from learning science supports this approach?

Why does it matter?

While instructional design tools evolve rapidly, the core principles of effective learning endure. And those fundamentals are what truly shape an impactful learning experience.

While tools will continue to evolve, the heart of learning will always be human.