About
Kaleidoscope Learning

We're a team of learning specialists dedicated to transforming how organizations approach education and development.

Our History

Kaleidoscope Learning was founded in 1998 and has worked with a wide variety of organizations, including Fortune 500 and multinational companies, large and small nonprofits, and universities. Over the years, we have built a reputation for creating impactful, results-driven learning experiences that not only engage but empower learners to perform at their best.

We combine the rigor of learning science with the creativity of storytelling and design to develop solutions that are research-driven, relevant, and tailored to the unique needs of each audience. With our approach, online learning becomes a powerful tool for building skills, improving performance, and driving real-world outcomes—delivering meaningful results and a strong return on investment (ROI).

What sets us apart is our consultative approach and our focus on designing learning experiences that address the specific needs, goals, and context of each client’s audience. Depending on the project, we can serve as a collaborative partner or operate as an extension of the client’s team—bringing insight, design expertise, and thoughtful execution without adding unnecessary complexity or demands. We often take the lead on design and development, delivering solutions that align with client goals while minimizing the time and effort required on their end. Our team provides the creative and strategic lift—so clients can stay focused on their broader priorities, confident that the learning experiences are in expert hands. We help clarify priorities, align stakeholders, and move forward with a clear, actionable plan that makes the most of each organization’s time and resources.

We work closely with our clients to uncover what truly matters—whether it is behavior change, skill development, or long-term impact—and build learning experiences that align with those priorities. Our design process is collaborative and user-centered, ensuring that every solution delivers real value and lasting impact.

Whether you need to create a custom solution, optimize your learning strategy, or navigate the evolving landscape of digital education, we’re here to partner with you—and make learning more meaningful, human, and practical for the real world.

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Our Journey

The milestones that shaped us.

1991

The First Corporate Training Simulation

While pursuing his graduate degree, Dr. David Guralnick, our President and CEO, created the Boston Chicken Cashier Trainer, the first corporate training simulation, paving the way for innovative workplace e-learning.

1998

The Journey Begins

Kaleidoscope Learning is officially established in Chicago, with a mission to reimagine digital learning.

1999

Eureka!

Eureka!, an intranet-based training and performance support product, is developed for Target stores. It won the Training Magazine Editors’ Choice Award in 2001.

2000

Hello, New York

Kaleidoscope Learning moves to New York City, positioning itself in a hub of innovation to unlock new opportunities and transform learning for diverse communities.

2003

The “Watch, Rate & Compare" Model

Originally developed for a Coaching Training course for Target Stores, the “Watch, Rate, & Compare" model is designed to allow learners to observe scenes, rate the characters in the videos, and compare their evaluations with those of other learners.

2005

Technical Simulations & Another Authoring Tool

We designed and developed a realistic simulation for Target employees to learn how to use a variety of applications on the Laser Radio Terminals (LRT) handheld scanners that were used for finding items on shelves, updating inventory, and other tasks. We also rolled out a simulation component of our Encompass E-Learning Toolkit so that Target’s trainers could easily update courses and create new scenarios, something that they could not otherwise do back in 2005 when other off-the-shelf authoring tools were much less advanced than they are today.

2008

The First International Conference on E-Learning in the Workplace (ICELW)

With a focus on workplace learning, Kaleidoscope Learning hosted the first conference to connect academics and professionals in the workplace and learning industry.

2013

Invented the Interactive MOOC

For the Practising Law Institute (PLI), an interactive Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) was created to feature discussion forums, anonymity, and flexible, self-paced, asynchronous learning.

2018

Pop-Up Video Insights

Inspired by the popular concept of pop-up videos at the time, Kaleidoscope Learning introduced an interactive learning format featuring real-time expert and learner commentary, enhancing engagement and deepening understanding.

2019

The First International Conference on E-Learning in the Workplace

With a focus on workplace learning, Kaleidoscope Learning hosted the first conference to connect academics and professionals in the workplace and learning industry.

2020

The ICELW Conference Goes Online

During the pandemic, the ICELW Conference transitioned to a fully virtual format, also marking the final use of its original name.

2021

Live on TV: “The Balancing Act”

Kaleidoscope Learning was featured on “The Balancing Act" with Montel Williams, which aired on Lifetime on September 18th, 2021.

2021

Eureka Authoring Tool

To support trainers, we created a user-friendly, custom authoring tool, the Encompass E-Learning Toolkit, to allow non-technical users to easily update online content and scenarios. The first release of this toolkit was for Target Stores’ training department and was branded there as the Eureka Authoring Tool.

2022

The First Hybrid Learning Ideas Conference

The ICELW conference rebranded as The Learning Ideas Conference (TLIC) and introduced a hybrid format to bring together learning professionals from around the world, both in-person and virtually.

2023

RISE Up with the NRF Foundation

The RISE Up platform was designed, built, and launched as a dynamic platform to host the NRF Foundation’s core credential courses that have been created for the program.

Our Values

These core principles guide everything we do and every decision we make.

Innovation

We constantly explore new approaches and technologies to create more effective learning experiences.

Creativity

We strive to develop unique solutions that capture the learner's attention, stimulate their curiosity, and make the learning process enjoyable and memorable.

Impact

We measure success by the tangible results and positive change our solutions create for our clients.

Partnership

We work collaboratively with our clients, building long-term relationships based on trust and shared success.

Our Approach

Our approach serves as the foundation behind every solution we create, ensuring relevance and success across a wide variety of audiences.

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Learner-Centered & Performance-Driven Design

Our custom learning experiences and performance-support solutions are crafted with the goal of enhancing the performance of the target audience, going beyond mere memorization and test-taking.
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Grounded in
Learning Sciences Principles

By blending academic research with practical application, we create experiences that learners find intuitive, engaging, and impactful.
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Relevant & Engaging
Learning Experiences

We believe that effective education and training goes beyond just delivering content—it's about creating an experience that resonates with learners.
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Practical Skills for
Real-World Impact

By prioritizing relevance and practicality, we create learning experiences that bridge the gap between theory and application, ensuring learners gain not only knowledge but also the confidence to put it into action.

Our People

Meet the minds behind our learning solutions.

David Guralnick, Ph.D.

President & CEO

Christy Levy

Vice President of Design and Development

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Boris Kontsevich

Vice President of Software Engineering

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V. Petersen

Project Director

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Lara Ramsey

Office Administrator

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Anelise Spyer

Senior Project Manager

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Tongtong Huang

Conference Manager for The Learning Ideas Conference

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Ada Zhou

Project Coordinator

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Hendri Martasari

User Experience Designer

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Evelyn Le

Instructional Designer/Developer

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Sergio Lugo

Video Director/Editor

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Nadira Ghassani

Marketing Associate

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Stella Yang

Escalated Customer Support Team Member

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Yuet Chan

Escalated Customer Support Team Member

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Awards & Recognitions

Our recognitions reflect our impact and inspire us to continue our mission in reimagining meaningful learning. A sampling of the awards we’ve received includes:

2024

ACLEA Frank V. Harris Award for Professional Excellence

For the "Viewing Attorney Wellness through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" course in partnership with PLI

2022

Brandon Hall Gold Award for Best Custom Content

For the "Informal Legal Writing" course in partnership with PLI

2019

Brandon Hall Gold Award for Best Use of Video in Learning

For the "Motivated Reasoning and Legal Ethics" course in partnership with PLI

2018

ANSI Accreditation and Award of Merit

For the "Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT)" course in partnership with the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI)

2018

ACLEA Award of Outstanding Achievement

For the "Working with Survivors of Domestic Violence" course in partnership with PLI

2017

38th Annual Telly Awards Bronze Winner for Video in Training

For the "Legal Process Improvement" in partnership with PLI

2016

Brandon Hall Gold Award for Best Use of Video in Learning

For the "The Art & Science of Interviewing Pro Bono Clients" course in partnership with PLI

2015

ACLEA Award of Outstanding Achievement

For the "Effective Communication with the Legal Services Client" course in partnership with PLI

Answers to Common Questions

Explore our most common questions. Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Reach out to us directly, we’re happy to help!

How does Kaleidoscope ensure that the learning experiences it creates result in real-world skill application?
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We prioritize the development of practical skills through authentic, job-relevant activities. This approach involves designing learning experiences that mirror real-world challenges and tasks, enabling learners to encounter realistic situations and learn skills that they can immediately apply within their professional environments. We emphasize hands-on, learn-by-doing scenarios and simulations that provide realistic contexts along with coaching guidance and feedback, bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation.

What types of learning and development challenges can Kaleidoscope Learning help solve?
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We assist with a wide range of challenges, including implementing new learning and performance initiatives, optimizing existing learning programs, enhancing learner engagement, and evaluating program effectiveness.

Can you describe your team's expertise in learning and technology?
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Our team specializes in innovative approaches that integrate expertise in learning theory, cognitive science, software development, graphics, video and animation production, and other areas, all with the goal of creating learning and performance solutions that resonate with their target audience and help them achieve their goals. Our senior team, led by Dr. David Guralnick, created the first-ever online learning simulation for corporate training.

See All Common Questions

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