All Aboard with Rob Belliveau

On this episode of All Aboard with Rob Belliveau, Rob talks with guests Puneet Kaur and Rabia Ijaz, Technical Account Managers and IDEA co‑leads at D2L, about what it actually looks like to build inclusion into everyday work in EdTech. They dig into how IDEA at D2L evolved from “Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship” to “Inspiration, Dialogue, Empowerment, and Allyship,” why safe spaces are s...

On this episode of All Aboard with Rob Belliveau, Rob talks with this month’s guest, John Baker, President, CEO, and Board Chair of D2L, about what it really means to transform the way the world learns, and how that vision led to the creation of both Brightspace and NeonTrain. They dig into John’s journey from 22‑year‑old Systems Design Engineering student at the University of Waterloo to leading...

Rob talks with this month’s guest, Amanda Rogers, founder of iPlume Writing Inc., about how AI is reshaping grant writing and why strategy, fit, and authenticity still win over generic ChatGPT applications. They dig into the rise of AI-generated grants, how to stand out in oversubscribed funding programs, and the power of teaching people to build a live grant step by step instead of “outsourcing”...

Rob talks with this month's guest, Rozalyn Werner-Arcé, about turning a legacy, instructor-led training program into a modern blended e-learning experience. They dig into choosing between fully asynchronous and blended models, keeping real-world stories alive online, and supporting instructors through the change. They also explore creative funding and partnerships, and how to scale education natio...

In this episode of All Aboard, Rob continues his conversation with Blackfoot elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers - litsooahp'potah (Attacks I Battles in the Water) and Dr. Christopher Grignard to dig deeper into truth, decolonization, and real action in education. Building on their work together on the Blackfoot Odyssey course, they explore: Why decolonization must come before indigenization The hard tr...

In this episode of All Aboard, Rob is joined by Blackfoot elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers - litsooahp'potah (Attacks I Battles in the Water) and Dr. Christopher Grignard to explore what it truly means to Indigenize digital learning spaces. Together, they discuss the long-term relationship and deep trust that underpins their collaboration on the Blackfoot Odyssey course, built within the Desire2Learn...

Season 3 is coming soon!   Have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Email the show: allaboard@neontrain.com If this episode helped you think differently about online learning , edtech , or accessibility , share it with a colleague or friend in education, L&D, or training .

In this special year-in-review episode of All Aboard with Rob Belliveau , host Rob Belliveau looks back on a powerful season exploring online learning , educational technology , and the human stories behind innovation in education. Rob revisits conversations with guests from higher education , literacy organizations , assistive technology companies , and public safety , highlighting how AI , Brigh...

In this engaging episode, Rob Belliveau welcomes Courtney Hanna-Benson , Associate Director for Digital Learning at Western University’s Center for Teaching and Learning . Courtney shares her unique journey at the intersection of education and technology, diving into Western’s transition to the Brightspace LMS and the evolving landscape of digital learning. Together, they explore the potential and...

In this inspiring episode, Rob Belliveau sits down with Dr. Sambhavi Chandrashekar to explore the critical topic of accessibility in online learning. Dr. Sam shares her personal journey from discovering the meaning of dyslexia to becoming a global leader in inclusive education and accessibility. Together, they discuss why accessibility matters now more than ever, the importance of designing for al...

Join host Rob Belliveau as he welcomes Afton Brazzoni, founder of Scribe National, for an inspiring conversation about the power of storytelling in business, education, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Rob and Afton reflect on their professional journeys, the importance of building and maintaining relationships, and how storytelling can transform even the driest content into engaging, impact...

In this episode of the All Aboard podcast, your host Rob Belliveau welcomes Dr. Emma Zone, Senior Director of Academic Affairs at D2L, for a dynamic conversation about the future of online learning and the power of community in education. Dr. Zone shares her journey from K-12 and higher education to her current role at D2L, where she leads thought leadership and research at the intersection of tec...

In this compelling episode, host Rob Belliveau sits down with his former supervisor and mentor, John Maclean, to explore the transformative journey of implementing e-learning in the Halifax Fire Department.  The two chat about John Maclean's 40+ year career in firefighting and emergency services and the evolution from traditional PowerPoint training to digital learning platforms. They discuss how...

Robert Belliveau and Reed Dickson 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...

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. Whe...

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 impai...

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.linkedi...

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...

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 satisf...

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...

Welcome to episode 10! In a first for All Aboard, the roles are reversed as Rob is interviewed by celebrated journalist and communications expert Jordi Morgan. During their conversation, Rob and Jordi reflect on how they initially connected through their shared interest in e-learning and the significance of high-quality course design. Rob shares details about his journey into the world of eLearnin...

Episode 9 of All Aboard is now live! This month, Rob sits down with Stephanie Bernier, an Educational Developer from the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University. Stephanie shares how the COVID-19 pandemic pushed educational technology to the forefront of her faculty’s priorities and how the shift to online learning elevated their teaching methods. The two also discuss Stephanie's impor...

In episode 8, Rob welcomes Ann de Ste Croix, the Provincial Coordinator for the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS). Rob and Ann explore the journey that led THANS to launch online employee training programs. They also discuss the reception of the online programs by the THANS team and how the feedback received is shaping their future plans. Don’t miss this insightful conversation!...

In the 7th installment of the podcast series, Rob welcomes Chris Cramer, a Senior Manager within the Education department of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. Chris shares his insights on AI's unprecedented global impact and how these new tools are influencing learner behaviour online.  The conversation also explores how we can best use generative AI as it becomes normalized in the...