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)
WCAG 2.2 Course Remediation Sprint
Rapid accessibility uplift for 120 legacy Canvas courses — prioritized by enrollment and legal risk.
May 1, 2024
412 views
WCAGAccessibilityCanvasUDL
Category
Accessibility
Visibility
Public
Portfolio reach
412 views
Published
26 months ago
Impact & Results
22K
Learners Reached
96%
Completion Rate
96%
AA-target courses remediated
-38%
disability office tickets YoY
120
courses through the sprint
22k
students reached
3 months
Project Duration
SAM
Methodology
Creative Director - Learning Design Studio
Designer Role
Accessibility
Category
Step 1 — The Situation
Courses had years of organic growth — inconsistent headings, contrast failures, and missing captions.
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
Step 4 — The Solution
A sprint model with shared snippets, caption workflows, and Ally dashboards wired to department chairs.
Step 5 — The Impact
High-enrollment courses cleared first; student disability office tickets dropped 38% YoY.
Tools Used
AllyCanvasPanopto
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.
289 views
Micro-Credential Stack for Business School
Stackable badges for data literacy, ethics, and storytelling — co-designed with employers and career services.
301 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.