Dr. Guralnick's biography

David Guralnick holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the course of his seventeen  years in e-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 Dr. Guralnick's most notable achievements are the creation of the first procedural learn-by-doing simulation for corporate training purposes, the first authoring tool specific to e-learning and the first Web-based LCMS intended for trainers and subject matter experts.

The cornerstone of Dr. Guralnick's design philosophy is the concept of content-driven, goal-driven design--using the information and the needs of the end-users, rather than the technology, to lead the design process.  Dr. Guralnick's philosophy has resulted in unprecedented savings for his clients, including one instance in which a major retail chain saved $150 million (and still counting) on a $2 million investment.

In addition to his work at Kaleidoscope, Dr. Guralnick has served in a number of capacities in the e-learning industry, including the following:

• President of the International E-Learning Association, 2007-present

• Founding Chairman of the International Conference on E-Learning in the Workplace (ICELW), 2008

• Founding Chairman of the International Conference on E-learning (ICEL), 2006

• Chairman of ICEL, 2007

• Chairman of the American Society for Training and Development's New York E-learning Group, 2003-present

• Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, 2005-present

• Judge, Brandon Hall Excellence in E-learning Awards, 2005-present

• Judge, E-learning Winter Games, 2005

• Committee member, European Conference on E-learning, 2003-present

• Committee member, International Conference on Mobile and Computer-Aided Learning (IMCL), 2006-present

• Committee member, International Conference on Computer-Aided Learning (ICL), 2006-present

• 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 three Brandon Hall Excellence in E-learning award winners

• A regular speaker at international conferences, in both academia and industry, since 1991.