Scalable Learning Completes Successful Pilot with Des Moines University Occupational Therapy Program
Chicago, IL — April 10, 2026 — Scalable Learning today announced the successful completion of a pilot program with Des Moines University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. The four-week pilot tested an AI-powered coached case module with 24 students, generating strong quantitative and qualitative results that validate the effectiveness of their unique Coached Cases format for health sciences education.
What Students Said
One student reflected on the experience: "This was my first experience utilizing an AI online learning module and I am pleasantly surprised how easy it was to navigate, but also informative." Another added, "The real-world experience that tied into the module will help me remember the takeaways from this content. Other online learning is not engaging or involves passive engagement, while this active engagement was much more valuable."
Strong Quantitative Results
The students provided post-module feedback across five survey dimensions:
| Metric | Score |
|---|---|
| Comparison to Other Learning Experiences | 4.74 / 5 |
| Engagement | 4.61 / 5 |
| Pacing | 4.57 / 5 |
| Confidence in Clinical Skills | 4.26 / 5 |
| Understanding of Core Concepts | 4.13 / 5 |
The 4.74 comparison score indicates students rated this module significantly higher than other learning experiences they'd encountered in their program.
What the Data Revealed
Beyond survey responses, analysis of student work showed meaningful learning outcomes:
Students conducted thoughtful, layered interviews with AI stakeholders, connecting surface observations to underlying clinical reasoning
Written analyses were substantive and specific, with students demonstrating genuine problem-solving rather than surface-level engagement
AI-generated effort scores provided faculty with a diagnostic signal about which students engaged deeply versus superficially
"The data confirmed what we suspected," said Patrick Geiger, co-founder of Scalable Learning. "Students aren't just going through the motions. They're thinking clinically, asking good questions, and building reasoning skills that are genuinely hard to teach in a classroom."
Exploring an OT Library of Modules
These pilot results validate a bigger vision: building a library of modules covering diverse practice settings and aligned with ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) standards.
To build this library well, Scalable Learning is exploring partnerships with OT programs willing to co-develop modules. The collaboration would involve faculty helping to identify curriculum gaps and reviewing module designs for clinical accuracy, while Scalable Learning handles content production and platform development.
"We've learned that the hardest-to-teach classroom skills like clinical reasoning, stakeholder communication, and navigating difficult conversations are exactly what this format is designed to practice," Geiger said. "But building a library that actually serves OT education requires input from faculty who know where students struggle most."
About the Pilot Module
The pilot tested a module focused on Quality Improvement in a school-based OT setting. Students took on the role of an occupational therapy consultant investigating why referral rates at one school differed dramatically from district averages. They conducted a realistic interview with a teacher, analyzed findings, and received individualized coaching feedback on their reasoning and communication approach.
About Scalable Learning
Scalable Learning develops cutting-edge, AI-driven learning experiences that promote active knowledge construction and real-world skill development at scale. Learn more at scalablelearning.net.
