Ryan

Schaaf

Education

• Ph.D in Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations, Notre Dame of Maryland University, 2024
• Masters of Science in Educational Technology, Johns Hopkins University, 2007. Concentrations: Tech Leadership, Web-Based Instruction, Emerging Technology, eLearning, Instructional Design, Distance Learning & Technology Integration
• Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education, Towson University, 1999

Bio

Dr. Ryan L. Schaaf is an associate professor of educational technology at Notre Dame of Maryland University. He was recently selected as the inaugural 2023 Outstanding Higher Education Award winner by the Maryland Society for Educational Technology for advancing excellence in teaching and leading with technology. He was previously nominated for Maryland Teacher of the Year and received the Dr. Hickey Award for technology leadership. He is the author of eight books involving digital-age learning and assessment. His text, Reinventing Learning for the Always-On Generation, received an IPPY Award for its contributions as a resource for educators. Ryan’s research interests include online and blended learning, digital game-based learning, educational reform, learning design, and learner agency. He is now the coordinator for the Leadership, Education, and Research in AI for the Next Generation (LEARN-AI) graduate certificate program at Notre Dame.

Research Interests

Digital Game-Based Learning, Artificial Intelligence & Education, Online & Blended Learning, Competency-Based Learning, Curriculum Development, Digital Citizenship, Digital Fluency, Learning Design, STEM, Teacher Education, and Technology Integration

ResearchGate

ORCID

Web of Science

Publications

Schaaf, R., & Engel, K. (in press). The learning arcade: Empowering education with games. Linus Learning.

Silver, P., Dupuis, J., Durham, R., Schaaf, R., & Pallett, L. (2025). Building technology integration at an urban school through a PDS partnership. ISTE/ASCD Conference Proceedings, San Antonio, TX.

Silver, P., Dupuis, J., Durham, R. E., Schaaf, R. L., Pallett, L., & Watson, L. (2024). Building technology integration at an urban school through a PDS partnership. School–University Partnerships, 17(2), 185–204. https://doi.org/10.1108/SUP1020230041

Schaaf, R., Zayas, B., & Jukes, I. (2022). Learner choice, learner voice: A teacher’s guide to promoting agency in the classroom. Routledge.

Mohan, N., Jukes, I., & Schaaf, R. (2021). Literacy is still not enough. Modern fluencies for teaching, learning, and assessment. Corwin Press.

Schaaf, R., & Engel, K. (2019). Learning with digital games. Amplify Reading.

Schaaf, R., & Jukes, I. (2019). A brief history of the future of education: Learning in the Age of Disruption. Corwin Press.

Schaaf, R., & Mohan, N. (2016). Game on: Using digital games for 21st-century teaching, learning, and assessment. Solution Tree Press.

Jukes, I., Schaaf, R., & Mohan, N. (2015). Reinventing learning for the always-on generation: Strategies and apps that work. Solution Tree Press.

Schaaf, R. (2015). Using digital games as assessment and instructional tools. Solution Tree Press.

Schaaf, R., & Mohan, N. (2014). Making school a game worth playing: Digital games in the classroom. Corwin Press.

Schaaf, R. (2012). Does digital game-based learning improve student time-on-task behavior and engagement in comparison to alternative instructional strategies? Canadian Journal of Action Research, 13(1), 50-64.

Presentations

• Schaaf, R. (2026). AI toolkit for teachers: Productivity, practice, & professional growth. Common Ground, Towson, MD.
• Schaaf, R. L., Silver, P., Dupuis, J., Durham, R. E., & Pallett, L. (2025, June). Building technology integration at an urban school through a PDS partnership. ISTE/ASCD Conference, San Antonio, TX.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2025, June). Prompt like a pro: Unlocking AI’s potential in higher ed. Future Ready Maryland: AI in Education Summit, UMBC.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2025). The learning arcade: The digital learning game database initiative. Games-Based Learning Virtual Conference (Virtual).
• Schaaf, R. L. (2024). A brief history of the future of education: Learning in the age of disruption. VSTE Conference, Virginia Beach, VA.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2024). A brief history of the future of education: Learning in the age of disruption. PET&C Conference, Hershey, PA.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2024). A brief history of the future of education: Learning in the age of disruption. Common Ground, Ocean City, MD.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2024). Learner choice, Learner voice. Common Ground, Ocean City, MD.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2024). Digital game-based learning, the state of flow, and its effects on learner focus, engagement, and time-on-task behavior: A comparative, experimental study. Games-Based Learning Virtual Conference 2024.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2023). A brief history of the future of education: Learning in the age of disruption. Common Ground, Ocean City, MD.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2023). Reinventing learning for the always-on generation: Strategies and apps that work. Common Ground, Ocean City, MD.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2023). Gaming and society: An honors course teaching next generation skills. Games-Based Learning Virtual Conference 2023.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2022, April). Does digital game-based learning improve motivation, focus, and on-task behavior? Poster presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA. https://doi.org/10.3102/1889024
• Schaaf, R. L. (2022). Game on: Using digital games for teaching during the pandemic. FETC, Orlando, FL.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2022). Gaming and society: An honors course teaching next generation skills. Serious Play Conference (Virtual).
• Schaaf, R. L. (2021). A brief history of the future of education: Learning in the age of disruption. Common Ground (Virtual).
• Schaaf, R. L. (2021). Reinventing learning for the always-on generation: Strategies that work. Common Ground (Virtual).
• Schaaf, R. L. (2021). Gaming and society: An honors course teaching next generation skills. Serious Play Conference (Virtual).
• Schaaf, R. L. (2020). A brief history of the future of education: Learning in the age of disruption. Common Ground, Ocean City, MD.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2019). Reinventing learning for the always-on generation: Strategies and apps that work. FETC, Orlando, FL.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2019). A brief history of the future of education. FETC, Orlando, FL.
• Schaaf, R. L. (2019). Reinventing learning for the always-on generation: Strategies that work. Common Ground, Ocean City, MD.
• Schaaf, R. (2018). Game on: Using digital games for 21st century teaching, learning, and assessment. Serious Play Conference. Manassas, VA.
• Schaaf, R. (2018). Game on: Using digital games for 21st century teaching, learning, and assessment. FETC. Orlando, FL.
• Schaaf, R. (2017). Game on: Using digital games for 21st century teaching, learning, and assessment. Serious Play Conference. Manassas, VA.
• Schaaf, R. (2017). How to Make a Winning Play with Games. Content in Context Conference: AAP, Philadelphia, PA.
• Schaaf, R. (2016). Game on: Using digital games for 21st century teaching, learning, and assessment. EduGaming 2016. Lehigh Valley, PA.
• Schaaf, R., King, M., & Potter, L. (2016). Between a book and Grand Theft Auto: Lesson from Game-Based Learning. Content in Context Conference: AAP, Philadelphia, PA.
• Schaaf, R. (2016). Using digital games for deep and immersive learning. Young Innovator’s Fair. Philadelphia, PA.
• Schaaf, R. (2015). Reinventing learning for the always-on generation: Strategies and apps that work. Common Ground Conference, Ocean City, MD.
• Schaaf, R. (2015). Reinventing learning for the always-on generation: Strategies and apps that work. ISTE, Philadelphia, PA.
• Schaaf, R. (2015). Using digital games for 21st century teaching, learning and assessment. ISTE, Philadelphia, PA.
• Schaaf, R. (2014). Using games for digital age teaching, learning and assessment. ISTE, Atlanta, GA.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

International Society for Technology in Education

Maryland Society of Educational Technology

CSTA Maryland

Common Sense Media

Google Certified Educator