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David’s bio

David Guralnick has dedicated his career to a philosophy of creating online experiences that improve learning and job performance. David’s approach to education and workplace learning integrates work from the fields of education, computer science/artificial intelligence, and cognitive psychology along with a highly-creative spin. His work reimagines educational and workplace learning experiences in ways that are enjoyable, effective, and individualized.

David holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science/artificial intelligence, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the course of his thirty years in online learning, he has designed and developed simulation-based training applications, electronic performance-support systems, and specialized authoring tools which allow non-technical people, such as writers and trainers, to build e-learning sites.

Among David’s most notable achievements are the creation of the first learn-by-doing simulation for corporate training purposes and the first authoring tool for a non-technical audience that was specific to e-learning. He has been the recipient of over 200 e-learning design awards, and his work has been featured in Wired magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Training magazine (as an Editor's Choice). He has been a regular speaker at both industry and academic events since 1991.

David believes strongly in creating learning experiences that involve learning by doing rather than memorizing information, and that learners connect with emotionally.

David is the current President and CEO of Kaleidoscope Learning. He is also the current president of the International E-Learning Association; founder and chair of The Learning Ideas Conference; Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Advanced Corporate Learning; Chair of the International E-Learning Awards; and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.

Key Accomplishments

Dr. Guralnick has served, and continues to serve, in a number of capacities in the e-learning industry, including the following:

Editorial Boards & Conference Committees

Dr. Guralnick has served on numerous editorial boards and conference committees, including the following:

Editorial boards

Conference roles and committees