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)
Micro-Credential Stack for Business School
Stackable badges for data literacy, ethics, and storytelling — co-designed with employers and career services.
Apr 10, 2024
301 views
Micro-credentialsBadgesEmployabilityCanvas
Category
Higher Education
Visibility
Public
Portfolio reach
301 views
Published
27 months ago
Impact & Results
950
Learners Reached
89%
Completion Rate
91%
Satisfaction
89%
stack completion
91 CSAT
learner satisfaction
+34%
employer-recognized signals
950
badges awarded
5 months
Project Duration
ADDIE
Methodology
Creative Director - Learning Design Studio
Designer Role
Higher Education
Category
Step 1 — The Situation
Students needed credible signals beyond GPA; employers wanted performance evidence, not quiz scores.
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
ADDIE Process
Analyze
Identify needs, learners, and goals
Design
Create learning objectives and strategy
Develop
Build content and materials
Implement
Deploy training to learners
Evaluate
Measure effectiveness and iterate
Analyze
Identify needs, learners, and goals
Design
Create learning objectives and strategy
Develop
Build content and materials
Implement
Deploy training to learners
Evaluate
Measure effectiveness and iterate
Step 4 — The Solution
Project-based assessments with employer rubrics, moderated peer review, and a public badge with evidence links.
Step 5 — The Impact
Outcomes: - 950 badges awarded across the three stacks - 89% stack completion (4-week × 3 cadence) - 91 CSAT — students cited the employer-graded rubrics as the differentiator - Pilot employer partners gave the badges interview-loop weight; recipients reported 34% more recruiter outreach
Tools Used
CanvasBadgrGoogle Workspace
Related Work
QM-Certified Online Course Template
Quality Matters certified course template adopted university-wide for consistent online learning experiences.
567 views
Faculty Development Online Teaching Certificate
Comprehensive faculty development program certifying professors in online pedagogy and course design.
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WCAG 2.2 Course Remediation Sprint
Rapid accessibility uplift for 120 legacy Canvas courses — prioritized by enrollment and legal risk.
412 views
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.