David Coad, PhD

Who I work with 

I work with EdTech companies and start-ups to do user experience research (UXR) that surfaces how learners, teachers, and institutions experience their tools.  I seek to deeply understand the needs of their educational consumer base so products align with classroom realities, institutional constraints, and adoption barriers.  I also work on curriculum development and learning experience design (LXD), helping teams turn product ideas into concrete lessons, activities, and learning pathways.

 

What I bring  
As a digital rhetoric professor, I bring (1) expertise in digital technologies' roles for educational users, including how interfaces, algorithms, and AI shape motivation, trust, and classroom use.  I also bring (2) deep knowledge of the needs and desires of higher ed faculty, administrators, and students, grounded in years of qualitative research, classroom observation, and collaborative curriculum work. 

 

What I do 

I help take EdTech start-ups and companies from idea to reality by helping them navigate the higher ed EdTech landscape, from early discovery research through pilot testing with real instructors and students.  This can include designing and running user interviews and usability studies, advising on product–curriculum fit, and translating research insights into clear product decisions.

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Email me at dr.david.coad@gmail.com to inquire about specific services and rates.