Emily RodriguezHigher education specialist creating engaging, accessible learning experiences with Quality Matters certification and Canvas expertise.
@emily-rodriguez
Open to discussionsBridging research and practice to create online learning experiences that work for every student.
I'm an educational technologist and researcher dedicated to improving online learning outcomes in higher education. With 12 years of experience and a PhD in Learning Sciences, I've helped institutions transform their approach to online education. My work sits at the intersection of research and practice - I believe the best designs are informed by evidence. What I Do: 📚 Online Program Development - Designed and launched 15+ fully online degree programs 👩🏫 Faculty Development - Trained 500+ faculty in online pedagogy and course design 🔬 Learning Research - Published 20+ peer-reviewed articles on online learning effectiveness ♿ Accessibility - Championed universal design principles across institutions Current Focus: I'm particularly interested in how AI and adaptive learning technologies can personalize the student experience while maintaining the human connection that makes education meaningful. Speaking & Consulting: I regularly speak at conferences like OLC Accelerate, EDUCAUSE, and ISTE. I also consult with institutions on their online learning strategies.
Austin, TX
6+ years experience
Member since December 2025
Usually replies within a week
Back to featured work
Projectdraft
Project case study (STAR)
Faculty Development Online Teaching Certificate
Comprehensive faculty development program certifying professors in online pedagogy and course design.
Jun 15, 2024
289 views
Faculty DevelopmentHigher EdCertificateOnline Teaching
Category
Faculty Development
Visibility
Public
Portfolio reach
289 views
Published
24 months ago
Impact & Results
200
Learners Reached
91%
Completion Rate
93%
Satisfaction
200+
faculty certified
91%
cohort completion
93 CSAT
faculty satisfaction
+0.7
avg. course rating lift
5 months
Project Duration
SAM
Methodology
Creative Director - Learning Design Studio
Designer Role
Faculty Development
Category
Step 1 — The Situation
New online instructors were overwhelmed by tools and pedagogy — completion of the legacy “orientation PDF” was near zero.
Step 2 — The Task
As a Creative Director - Learning Design Studio, I led the end-to-end design and development of this project — from discovery and needs analysis through final delivery and implementation support.
Process timeline
SAM Process
Preparation
Gather information and set goals
Iterative Design
Design, prototype, review
Iterative Development
Develop, implement, evaluate
Preparation
Gather information and set goals
Iterative Design
Design, prototype, review
Iterative Development
Develop, implement, evaluate
Project timeline
3 updates
Jan 8, 2024milestone
Cohort kickoff + baseline survey
Mar 1, 2024milestone
Peer teaching observations
Jun 15, 2024milestone
Capstone reviews & badges
Process artifacts
Step 4 — The Solution
A cohort-based certificate with studio-recorded model lessons, peer review cycles, and a competency rubric aligned to QM standards.
Step 5 — The Impact
Results: - 200+ faculty earned the credential - Course quality scores improved term-over-term in pilot departments - Faculty reported higher confidence teaching asynchronously
Tools Used
CanvasZoomPadletFlipgrid
Related Work
QM-Certified Online Course Template
Quality Matters certified course template adopted university-wide for consistent online learning experiences.
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WCAG 2.2 Course Remediation Sprint
Rapid accessibility uplift for 120 legacy Canvas courses — prioritized by enrollment and legal risk.
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Micro-Credential Stack for Business School
Stackable badges for data literacy, ethics, and storytelling — co-designed with employers and career services.
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STEM Lab Safety — Blended Redesign
Pre-lab modules + in-person verification checklist reduced incidents and improved TA consistency.
233 views
Ready to work with Emily?
Have a project in mind or want to discuss opportunities? Let's connect and see how we can work together.