Instructional DesigNerd is a full-service learning consulting Agency based in San Diego, Ca and Led by industry expert Dr. Michael Kolodziej, EdD, MBA. Michael has years of experience in all levels of education from K-12 through Higher Education and into Corporate and Professional Learning. Michael is currently writing a book available soon titled “Learning Doesn’t have to Suck!“, coming Spring 2021.
Dr. Michael Kolodziej, the Lead Nerd, is available for engagements including virtual and in person, along with our network of associate learning professionals.
EDUCATION
Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology- Malibu, CA 2017
Doctor of Education, Learning Technologies
University of Redlands, School of Business-Redlands, CA 2009
Master of Business Administration
National University- San Diego, CA 2003
California State Teaching Credential, Biology
University of California, San Diego- San Diego, CA 1999
Bachelor of Science, Biology
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Ashford University- San Diego, CA 2011- Present
Associate Faculty Member-Division of General Education
● Facilitated undergraduate university courses including;
SOC402: Contemporary Social Problems & the Workplace,
COM200: Interpersonal Communication,
EXP105: Personal Dimensions of Education,
EDU352: Foundations of Educational Technology,
PHI103: Informal Logic
● Assessed student performance on learning outcome achievement and provided guidance and
feedback on assignment requirements.
La Jolla High School- La Jolla, Ca 9/2001- 6/2003
Science Teacher
● Managed the science education (Physics and Biology) for over 180 high school students per semester
● Planned, developed and implemented lessons in Physics and Biology utilizing the web and computer technologies
● Assessed and analyzed student achievement and provided constructive feedback to improve performance
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Bridgepoint Education- San Diego, CA 7/2017- 2/2019
Associate Vice President, Learning Design and Innovation
● Developed a Design-based Research framework for measurement of innovation projects accepted by all stakeholders including senior academic leadership and organizational leadership
● Designed and developed and facilitated multiple research projects focused on improvement of student learning, and increasing faculty and student enjoyment and satisfaction
● Leveraged mixed methods research methodologies to reveal complex learning dynamics. Interpreted and presented data to key stakeholders including senior academic leadership and organizational leadership
Projects included: Chat-bot classroom integration, Engaged Social Learning Pilots, New
Model of Learning, Adaptive Learning Pilot, User Experience Testing and UI development in LMS.
Pepperdine University, School of Education and Psychology- Malibu, Ca 2017
Student- Doctor of Education, Learning Technologies
● Completed full Doctoral Dissertation: Integrating Computational Thinking into Higher Education Curriculum
● The purpose of this research was to fill the gap in the existing literature and instantiate
meaningful dialogue surrounding inclusion of Computational Thinking in the curriculum in
Higher Education using a modified Delphi methodology
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Vice President, Learning Design Operations
ELM Learning- San Diego, CA 4/2019- 6/2020
● Led teams involved in the development of eLearning objects for Fortune 100 companies, including Learning Experience Design (LXD), Client Services (CS), Creative (C) and Quality Assurance (QA).
● Reporting to the CEO, represented on the Executive Committee to address company wide initiatives and improve efficiency and profitability.
● Led the implementation of variable compensation plan, culture improvement initiatives and transformation of workplace culture post reduction in force.
Associate Vice President, Learning Design and Innovation
Bridgepoint Education- San Diego, CA 7/2017- 2/2019
● Successfully led the centralization of all curriculum development staff and curriculum development processes and documentation into a shared services model serving multiple institutions
● Evolved the use of pedagogical models to include Constructionist pedagogy, leveraging technology to promote authentic assessment of learning through relevant social artifacts
● Led the design of Certificate Programs in partnership with Forbes Media for the Forbes School of Business
Associate Vice President, Curriculum and Instructional Design
Bridgepoint Education- San Diego, CA 2015- 2017
● Successfully led the transition of instructional design and curriculum development services to a shared-services model supporting multiple higher education institutions. Ensured consistent roles and effective processes leveraging instructional design best-practices through a collaborative, team-based design model situated within TPACK, Mishra & Koehler (2006)
● Lead a team of 18, including three managers, in instructional design and educational technology design, working with faculty to evolve the use of pedagogical practices and effective integration of technology, for 22 new degree programs developed from 2015-2017
● Oversee multiple pilot studies to measure the effectiveness of various learning tools and practices, including adaptive learning platforms, digital worked examples, simulations, and course media, providing analysis of data and presentation of results to a variety of stakeholders
● Design and deliver professional development in the area of instructional design and technology for faculty and staff focusing on evolution of epistemological understanding of teaching and learning from traditional cognitive-behavioral practices to focus in the development of real-world skills and situated knowledge measured through authentic assessments and projects of social and cultural relevance.
● Ensure curriculum compliance with ADA accessibility standards, legal and copyright law and WASCUC requirements.
● Co-developed the learning technology roadmap for Bridgepoint Education Inc. through the
learning products workgroup, including the selection of a new LMS, and investment in the development of proprietary tools and vendor partnerships.
● Lead faculty and staff in the selection of new learning products and tools to help ensure system integration, data security, and best practices in online learning
● Leverage online learning analytics in the evaluation and redevelopment of online courses and programs, focusing on increasing learning outcomes, retention and persistence for high-risk students
Director, Learning Technology
Ashford University- San Diego, CA 2014- 2015
● Maintained the Learning Management System and the integration of all third-party learning technology software 60,000 + students
● Directed a team of Learning Technology Specialists and Educational Technology Designers responsible for the LMS management and creation of all classroom media assets and learning objects for 60,000 + students
● Managed vendor relationships and project timelines to ensure successful implementation of university technology projects including Portfolio integration, CMS employment, virtual labs etc.
● Created an institution-wide video delivery system for on demand student support called HELPNOW! which provided on demand support for tens of thousands of students, reducing operational costs and inefficiencies
Associate Director, Instructional Design and Academic Quality
Ashford University- San Diego, CA 2012 – 2014
● Managed a team of Instructional Designers serving four colleges, 650+ courses, and 80,000+ students in the development of online courses and programs for Bachelors and Masters level programs
● Directed Quality Assurance team who provided quality assurance of course content in terms of spelling, grammar, punctuation, consistency and readability, as well as facilitated 100’s of Quality Matters course reviews
● Led the initiative to redesign the curriculum development process involving multiple stakeholders in academics and operations
● Facilitated redesign of the Pearson LMS, improving the UI/UX for students
Manager, Learning and Development- Social Learning
Bridgepoint Education- San Diego, CA 2011-2012
● Successfully managed a team of Learning and Development Specialists to ensure prompt delivery of quality training programs in areas of compliance, soft and hard skill development
● Provided training and support for internal department members on tools and technology for eLearning to increase departmental efficiencies and reduce costs associated with training
● Led the team in vetting and successfully delivered a company-wide social learning platform
Specialist, Learning and Development- Faculty Training
Bridgepoint Education- San Diego, CA 2010-2011
● Created and facilitated faculty development initiatives, technical training and classroom facilitation
● Innovated new training approaches and increased efficiencies of processes and practice
Instructional Specialist, Academics
Ashford University- San Diego, CA 2010-2010
● As an Instructional Specialist, I was responsible for ensuring the active presence and
instructional quality of 1000’s of instructors within the online environment and providing
constructive feedback and coaching to underperforming instructors.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
International Society of the Learning Sciences- Member since 2016
American Educational Research Association- Member since 2016
PRESENTATIONS
National University Webinar Series “The Future of Virtual Education” Virtual, May 2020
PIMA Medical College “Leveraging Technology for Effective Learning”, Phoenix AZ, 2019
WASC-ARC Conference “Turning Failure into Success: Design Based Research as a Paradigm for Improving Student Learning” Orange County, CA 2019
OLC Innovate “Leveraging Learning Sciences and Design-based Research to enhance learning”, Denver, CO 2019
WASC-ARC Conference “Humanizing the Online Classroom through Design-Based Research”, San Francisco, CA 2018
ACAO– Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation “Adaptive Learning Pilot Results Presentation “New Orleans, LA 2018
Ashford University, Teaching and Learning Conference, “Looking Forward: What’s in store for the Online Classroom of Tomorrow?”
No Excuses University Conference “Transforming Education: Leveraging Technology in the Classroom” Palm Desert, CA- 2016
OLC-Innovate Conference “Design Lab: Developing and Sustaining Capacity to Design Effective Online Courses and Programs” New Orleans, LA- 2016
OLC-Innovate Conference “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Cultural Relevance in the Curriculum” New Orleans, LA- 2016
OLC-International Conference “Future of Online Learning Analytics” Orlando, FL- 2015
Educause Connect: San Diego Conference “The Future of Online Learning Analytics: Course alth” San Diego, CA- 2015
Cengage 19th Annual Course Technology Conference “iMooc-Leveraging: Badging, Gamification, and Social-Learning…” Nashville, TN- 2014
Faculty Fellows Grant Recipient “iMooc: If We Build It, Will They Come?” Ashford University- 2013
Learning 3.0 Conference “Micro-sites: Thinking Outside the Module” Chicago, IL 2011
PUBLICATIONS
Book Review: Teaching Digital Technologies: Computational Thinking, Coding and Robotics in
the Classroom: Issues and Trends in Educational Technology, September 2016
