Joshua Durey
Instructional designer at the AI-pedagogy intersection. Twenty years of K-12 pedagogical research applied to curriculum architecture, authoring tools, and learning content audits.
Active projects include Still Human Studio, a generator suite and curriculum architecture for teachers designing instruction in an AI-saturated world, and RAILS, the first evaluation instrument for Science-of-Reading alignment in AI-generated literacy content.
Senior instructional designer, with twenty years of pedagogical research underneath.
Frameworks, sciences, tools.
Instructional Design Frameworks
ADDIE, SAM, and Backward Design (UbD). Cognitive Load Theory and the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning applied to multimedia and microlearning. Bloom's Taxonomy with formative and summative assessment design. Adult learning theory for workforce training contexts.
Learning Sciences and Standards
Science of Reading (RAILS author). Standards-based assessment design across CCSS, C3, NGSS, AERO, and PYP. MTSS frameworks for tiered student support. WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility familiarity. xAPI and SCORM exposure.
Authoring and Delivery Tools
Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise) in progress. Custom Node.js generator suites (Still Human Studio). LMS familiarity across Canvas, Moodle, Seesaw, and Google Classroom. Adobe Creative Suite (basic), Snagit, plus Markdown and Excel-based authoring templates.
AI Tooling and Evaluation
Generative AI (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini) for instructional design workflows. Custom AI generator architectures shipping production .docx and .xlsx artifacts. AI-content evaluation via the RAILS instrument. Prompt engineering for educational content production.
A generator suite for standards-aligned instruction.
Still Human Studio is the production lab behind Still Human Academy. A set of Node.js generators and Claude-driven skills that convert raw teacher inputs — grade band, standards, phenomena — into standards-aligned instructional artifacts: unit plans, lesson batches, rubrics, student-facing printables. Output is real, classroom-ready .docx and .xlsx, not slide decks of promises.
// unit_designer
Interactive skill that produces a complete UbD-style unit plan: driving problem, scope & sequence, assessment tasks, and rubrics — aligned to grade-band standards and audited for authentic requirement.
→ download template (.xlsx)// lesson_batch
Generates ELA Language lessons in configurable batches: objective, mini-lesson, independent practice, formative check, printable student page. Aligned to Science of Reading — never balanced literacy.
→ sample generator (.js, 733 LOC)// problem_bank
Investigable real-world problems for any grade + standard combination, scored against cognitive demand and alignment fidelity before admission.
// year_maps
Grades 3–5 year-long scope & sequence with unit-level plans, built on a UbD template, drop-in ready for classrooms and coaches.
→ year maps v2 (.xlsx)→ G3 unit plans (.xlsx)
Reading Alignment Index for AI Literacy Systems.
RAILS is a purpose-built evaluation instrument for assessing whether AI-generated literacy instructional content aligns with the scientific consensus on how children learn to read. To the best of my knowledge after systematic search, it is the first instrument designed specifically for evaluating single AI-generated outputs — lesson plans, activity designs, assessment suggestions — against Science-of-Reading indicators.
Grounded in the same evidence base underpinning TRL CEGs, EdReports v2.0, FCRR/REL, NCTQ, UK DfE SSP Criteria, and AITSL. Author: me. Purpose: honest measurement, not vibes.
Twenty years, one through-line.
- Researching and writing Still Human — a book on the systematic deprofessionalization of teaching through artificial intelligence.
- Analyzing the intersection of generative AI, educational policy, and the future of human-led pedagogy.
- Building Still Human Studio, the Node.js generator suite that supports the book's argument with working, shippable instructional artifacts.
- Authoring RAILS, a purpose-built evaluation instrument for Science-of-Reading alignment in AI-generated literacy content.
- Developed an MTSS framework to streamline resource allocation for multilingual learners and ensure equitable support.
- Led PLCs on student engagement, student agency, standards-based assessment, rubric design, and CCSS integration in ELL push-in classes.
- Trained teachers in co-teaching models to enhance classroom effectiveness and instructional collaboration.
- Delivered professional development workshops on differentiated strategies for multilingual learners.
- Partnered with student support teams on Tier 1 and Tier 2 classroom-based interventions for ELLs.
- Designed literacy and social studies lessons aligned to C3 Standards with embedded ELL strategies for vocabulary and comprehension.
- Collaborated with ELL specialists to align classroom practice with students' language acquisition needs.
- Supported language development in concept-based units aligned with PYP transdisciplinary themes and the PYP Language Scope and Sequence.
- Led the PYP Grade 5 Exhibition, fostering student inquiry, collaboration, and language skill development in a multilingual context.
- Delivered lessons aligned with Manitoba standards, with embedded strategies to support multilingual learners.
- Built an inclusive classroom environment supporting the social-emotional and academic growth of ELLs.
- Designed learning experiences and delivered training programs for Samsung Electronics employees in a corporate L&D environment.
- Built workforce-aligned training materials and facilitated instructor-led workshops on technical and professional-skill content.
- Led corporate training programs for GS Engineering & Construction employees across workforce development topics.
- Delivered classroom and workshop-based instruction in a high-volume, multi-stakeholder corporate setting.
Education, certification, instrumentation.
// education
// certifications
// assessment literacy
// facilitation
Working files, not mockups.
Writing as research, research as practice.
Scope an instructional design engagement.
I work with edtech teams, publishers, workforce training providers, and schools on scoped, time-bound projects. Hourly, per-project, or retainer.
Looking for a freelance instructional designer or curriculum writer? Send a brief.
→ Send a freelance brief> TIMEZONE: KST (UTC+9), Seoul, responses within 24h on weekdays
> Available for synchronous calls in US Pacific morning hours and US Eastern afternoon hours.
// INQUIRY RECEIVED
Thanks, your message is in. I'll respond within 24 business hours from Seoul (KST, UTC+9). If it's urgent, email josh@stillhumanacademy.com directly.