Praxis AI, Clemson, South Carolina, United States: David James Clarke IV - EdTech Pioneer and AI Trailblazer

Total 614 words used.

For the better part of three decades, David James Clarke IV has dedicated his passion, energy, and creativity to the magic that occurs when you connect students, teachers, and content, always finding promise in new technologies and approaches. His innovation and creativity have positively impacted well over 1,000,000 learners with over 2 billion minutes of learning. A prolific writer, he has over 500,000 books in print and has written over 100 articles and keynote presentations. He also owns a US patent for Methods & Systems for Improving Learning Experience in Gamification Platforms and he's just hitting his stride as he continues to innovate in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Clarke's philosophy is rooted in optimism and a firm belief that technology, when approached with humanity and empathy, can lead to groundbreaking achievements. As the Co-founder & CEO of Praxis AI, he has been instrumental in launching initiatives that bridge the gap between educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and employers. These efforts have helped level the playing field for underserved students. His work with minority serving institutions including HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) an AIHEC (American Indian Higher Education Consortium) gives him tremendous pride. His leadership at Praxis AI is characterized by a mission-driven approach to empower these students with digital skills, leveraging AI and machine learning to foster personalized experiential online education that benefits not only education but data-intensive research.

Clarke's career is replete with projects that have not only advanced the digital learning landscape but have also delivered measurable results for some of the world's largest companies and learning institutions. One of the notable projects at Praxis AI involved applying AI-powered curation and data-intensive computing to equip genetic scientists with the necessary digital skills to advance cancer research. This initiative exemplifies Clarke's ability to harness technology for societal benefit, demonstrating a profound commitment to leveraging EdTech for global challenges.

Clarke's pioneering spirit was evident early on, following his tenure at California Polytechnic State University and the University of California, Berkeley. Early in his career, he served as Director of Systems Integration at Walt Disney, contributing to iconic films such as "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?". His entrepreneurial spirit led him to founding CyberState University, one of the earliest online education companies. Clarke's entrepreneurial journey continued with the establishment of Logilient, another trailblazing Internet education company specializing in technical training.

His work developing innovative learning platforms for companies like Microsoft and Cognizant led him to take his vision into the AI age. Clarke's contributions to educational technology are unparalleled, marked by visionary leadership, groundbreaking projects, and a steadfast dedication to empowering underserved communities. These efforts have not only propelled the digital learning landscape forward but have also addressed some of the most pressing global challenges of our time.

David James Clarke IV's legacy is a source of inspiration, illustrating the profound impact one individual can have on the evolution of education and technology through hard work, empathy and genuine curiosity. It is for these reasons, among many others, that Clarke is undeniably deserving of a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In conclusion, David James Clarke IV embodies the essence of a lifetime achiever in the field of educational technology. His pioneering work, spanning decades, has laid the foundation for future generations to explore and benefit from the intersection of education and technology. Clarke's achievements serve as a beacon for educators, technologists, and learners alike, inspiring us to envision a future where technology and education converge to unlock the full potential of human potential.

As we look forward to the continued evolution of educational technology, Clarke's legacy will undoubtedly remain a guiding light, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive, innovative, and enlightened world.

An essay of up to 650 words

1. US Patent Publication #: 20190043380: Methods & Systems for Improving Learning Experience in Gamification Platform – first automated, machine-based system to seamlessly integrate and deliver personalized remediation, centralized learning resources, experiential learning labs, peer and mentor collaboration, immersive scenario-based story, gamified scoring, and real-time heuristics to a user in a learning and training environment.
2. By the Numbers – 500,000+ published books in print, 1,000,000+ learners with over 2 billion minutes of learning, 250+ learning solutions, and 100+ articles and keynote presentations
3. Cobalt Gamification Platform and Technology Training Program – Cognizant Technology Solutions – cross-functional sponsor for design and development of a global gamification platform to provide technical training for 100,000+ consultants; led teams for design, product development, marketing, & implementation. Result: 60% improvement in first-time pass rates
4. Microsoft Official Distance Learning (MODL) – Primary architect of Microsoft’s first online learning and certification program; co-author of the GEAR virtual ILT, multi-sensory learning methodology. Result: 400% improvement in MTM (Metrics That Matter) scores
5. First Year Experience and College of Business & Information Technology, University of Phoenix – co-author of several courses, books, and simulation games for online and on-ground instructor-led programs. Delivered to over 500,000 learners; courses included English Composition, Critical Thinking in Everyday Life, Health and Wellness, General Studies, and Personal Finance. Result: 2,700 basis points retention improvement for first year courses
6. Boston University Digital Business Series, Questrom School of Business – led the cross-functional development and sales teams to rollout an on-demand, micro-learning version of Questrom’s Digital Business Series. Result: 500% improvement in learner engagement over previous platform
7. Co-creator of Generative AI Mentor Pria – Clarke collaborated with Hugo Lebegue, Praxis AI’s CTO, to create an award-winning generative AI mentor named, “Pria”. Pria is designed to provide personalized educational support by integrating seamlessly with existing LMS and tailoring its assistance to the unique needs of each student. It leverages trusted sources to ensure the accuracy of content and employs advanced security measures to safeguard user data. Beyond individual support, Pria aims to foster a collaborative and interactive educational environment, encouraging engagement among students and educators. The solution highlights the potential of AI to revolutionize education by making learning more personalized, accessible, and effective.
8. Co-author of ISO Digital Learning Solutions Strategy – Clarke co-authored the global digital learning toolkit for developing countries with the International Standards Organization (ISO). Through webinars, standards documents, and live online courses, representatives from 125 developing countries learned best practices in digital learning from Praxis AI executives and members of the ISO Capacity Building unit. Clarke led a team to build specific DLS strategies for two developing countries: South Africa and Guyana.
9. Host of AIHEC Aseto’ne Virtual Institute – under David’s leadership, Praxis AI built the Aseto’ne Virtual Institute for indigenous health research and cultural resilience in collaboration with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). Aseto’ne is a Cheyenne word meaning “growth and taking first steps”. Over a 10-week online program in the Praxis AI platform, tribal college students explore native health research and connect with mentors and each other. Graduates earn valuable digital credentials issued by Praxis AI and AIHEC. The NIH-funded program has allowed traditionally underserved tribal students with valuable workforce-ready skills and credentials in healthcare research and cultural resilience.
10. Member of the Inaugural AWS Education Accelerator – Clarke was selected to participate in the global AWS Education Accelerator, a 10-week immersive experience for global EdTech startups that want to accelerate their go-to-market activities in the United States for the PK-12, higher education, and workforce education markets. Clarke and Praxis AI were one of 15 EdTech startups selected from a field of over 1500 applicants to participate in the technical, business, and mentorship program which is designed for startups seeking to use cloud technology to improve data-driven education.