From Japan to Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Nebraska, Koichi Sato fueled his desire to make his mark in online education all over the globe. His adventure eventually led him to St. Petersburg, FL, to join USF Innovative Education, where he embraced a role as a learning designer, bringing his diverse experiences to life in the online learning space.
From a young age, Sato knew he wanted to help make a difference in people’s lives, a goal that guided him throughout his college years.
Sato earned his bachelor’s degree in English language and literature in Japan before completing two master’s degrees and a doctorate in the U.S. His first master’s was in public health, followed by another master’s and a doctorate in instructional technology and e-learning.
After graduation, Sato gained extensive experience designing online courses and crafting engaging digital experiences. He has taught undergraduate instructional technology courses, managed learning programs in partnership with Code.org, and worked in IT student support.
JOINING INED
Sato was instantly intrigued when he discovered the opportunity to join USF’s Innovative Education team on the St. Petersburg campus.
“I was drawn to Innovative Education because its approach to learning design resonated deeply with my values and vision as a learning designer,” Sato said. “I’ve spent countless hours honing my ability to fuse design and learning theories with advanced multimedia design and production skills.”
Since joining the team last year, Sato has worked on a variety of projects that have allowed him to research, develop, and share innovative digital learning practices.
"My favorite project so far has been creating design-focused solutions to the decades-old question, 'Why are students not watching my lecture videos on time? Why do they wait until the last minute to watch my lecture videos?'" Sato said. "In this project, the faculty and I are aiming to alleviate the difficulties, pains, and boredom associated with watching our lecture videos through (A) innovative visual communication techniques designed to improve comprehension and learning efficiency based in learning science and (B) having our funny-looking AI digital clones/twins deliver the content in our lecture videos for added social learning effects."
Between checking in with his fellow learning designers and diving into course development projects, a typical day for Sato is a blend of creativity and problem-solving.
“This involves everything from needs analysis to collaborating with faculty, prototyping effective learning experiences, and building out course materials,” he said. “I also dedicate time to research the latest ed-tech trends and experiment with new tools and strategies to stay ahead of the curve.”
Sato takes immense pride in his work, which allows him to merge his creativity with his passion for teaching and learning.
“I love being at the forefront of e-learning,” Sato said. “It’s exciting to push boundaries and shape the future of teaching and learning. With AI making huge strides, it’s an incredibly dynamic field to be part of.”
His enthusiasm for integrating AI tools and technologies into online teaching and learning helps him advance the team toward the future of education and open up limitless possibilities.
OFF THE CLOCK
Outside of learning design, Sato is a big fan of both arts and martial arts. He enjoys combining Japanese calligraphy with digital art to create one-of-a-kind t-shirts, necklaces, and other items. He stays active with judo, karate, and kickboxing when he's not creating art.
Sato has some lofty personal goals outside of the office. As he continues his journey in learning design and online education, he also plans to follow his dreams around the world. The next stop on his traveling adventures starts with the tallest peak in Japan.
“I’ve always wanted to conquer Mount Fuji,” Sato said. “Visiting Germany to see my sister and her family would be incredible, and reconnecting with long-lost relatives in Hawaii would be amazing.”
PURSUING EXCELLENCE
Sato’s journey is a testament to the power of lifelong learning and the impact one individual can make in the ever-evolving world of education. Whether it’s through his work at USF, his artistic pursuits, or his personal goals, Sato embodies a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation.
He looks forward to expanding his impact on online education and improving the learning experience for students across the university.
To learn more about Sato’s learning design philosophy and experience, explore his online portfolio.