David is an experienced strategist, researcher, and practitioner in the areas of education, UX design, computer science and AI.
An Experiental Learning Approach
to Education
Dr. David Guralnick envisions a new approach to education and workplace learning. He has dedicated his career to following a philosophy of creating online experiences that improve learning and job performance. His vision integrates progressive learning theory, advanced technology, and creative, entertaining storytelling to create learning experiences that help people learn to think critically, reflect, and make thoughtful decisions. The experiences themselves are enjoyable, meaningful, relevant, respectful, and accessible to all: this vision of education and workplace learning centers around experiential learning.
Over 30 Years in Reimagining Online Learning
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. He believes strongly in creating learning experiences that involve learning by doing rather than memorizing information, and that learners connect with emotionally. 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 online learning experiences.
Among David’s most notable achievements are the creation of the first learn-by-doing simulation for corporate training purposes, using an approach that incorporated AI techniques, 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.
Current Focus
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:
President and CEO (and founder) of Kaleidoscope Learning, 1998-present
Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University's Teachers College, 2005-present
President of the International E-Learning Association, 2007-present
Founder and Chair of The Learning Ideas Conference (formerly the International Conference on E-Learning in the Workplace (ICELW)), 2008-present
Founding Chair of the American Society for Training and Development's New York E-learning Group, 2002-2009
Creator and Lead Designer of the "Eureka" e-learning product, the winner of Training Magazine's Editor's Choice Award for Target Stores in 2001
Creator and Lead Designer of numerous Brandon Hall Excellence in E-learning award winners
Creator and Lead Designer of a platinum USDLA award winner
Creator and Lead Designer of a Telly award winner
Program Chair, International E-Learning Awards, 2010-present
Judge, Brandon Hall Excellence in E-learning Awards, 2005-present
Judge, Chief Learning Officer LearningElite Awards, 2012-present
Executive Committee member, International Conference on Computer-Aided Learning (ICL), 2006-present
Steering Committee member, International Conference on Mobile and Computer-Aided Learning (IMCL), 2006-present
North American representative, GUIDE Association, 2008-present
Editorial Boards and
Conference Committees
Editorial Boards
Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning, 2013-present
Scientific Advisory Board, Intellect Centre, Dept. of Education and Humanities, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Rome, 2018-present.
Editorial Board, eLearn Magazine, 2018-present
Senior Editor, International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning, 2007-2013
Editorial Board, Digital Universities: Interactive Best Practices and Applications, 2014-present
Editorial Board, Interactive Technology and Smart Education (ITSE), 2011-present
Editorial Board, Knowledge Management & E-Learning: An International Journal (KM&EL), 2009-present
Editorial Board, Distance Learning Technology, Current Instruction, and the Future of Education: Applications of Today, Practices of Tomorrow, a book edited by Holim Song (published in 2009)
Editorial Board, Impact: Journal of Applied Research in Workplace E-learning, 2009-present
Editorial Advisory Board, Affective, Interactive and Cognitive Methods for E-Learning Design: Creating an Optimal Education Experience, a book edited by Raúl Aquino Santos and Arthur Edwards (published in 2010)
Editorial Advisory Board, Embedded Systems and Wireless Technologies, a book edited by Aimilia Tzanavari and Nicolas Tsapatsoulis
Conference Roles and Committees
Founder and Chair, The Learning Ideas Conference (formerly International Conference on E-Learning in the Workplace (ICELW)), 2008-present
Chair, The International Conference on E-Learning (ICEL), 2006-2007; ICEL Executive Committee, 2006-present
Executive Committee, International Conference on Computer-Aided Learning (ICL), 2007-present
International Program Committee,International Conference on Mobile and Computer-Aided Learning, 2007-present
Scientific Committee, GUIDE Association International Workshop, 2008-present
Scientific Committee, IADIS (International Association for the Development of an Information Society) E-Learning Conference, 2007-present
Program Committee, The European Conference on E-Learning (ECEL), 2003-present
Scientific Committee, IADIS Virtual Multi Conference on Computer Science, 2005-present
Program Committee, European Conference on Games-Based Learning Committee, 2007-present
Program Committee, The International Conference on Computer Supported Education (CSEDU), 2009-present
Program Committee, International Conference of e-Learning for All (LEAFA), 2010
International Program Committee, ITCE (International Conference on Technology Communication and Education), 2008