Efrén de la Mora Velasco
Associate Instructional Designer
UCF’s Center for Distributed Learning
From Guadalajara, Mexico, to UCF’s Center for Distributed Learning, Efrén de la Mora Velasco has built his career around improving how students learn in online spaces. Efrén’s background is in Information Technologies and Learning Technologies, and he later earned his Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology from UCF. He also served as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, where he worked on research related to artificial intelligence, online learning, and the future of work in tourism and hospitality.
Today, he serves as an Associate Instructional Designer at UCF’s Center for Distributed Learning, supporting faculty who teach online, conducting course quality reviews, and leading professional development initiatives. His research focuses on multimedia learning, particularly instructional videos, background music in learning, and the design of high quality online learning experiences. He is especially interested in how evidence based principles can improve student engagement, motivation, and learning performance.
“I’ve always been fascinated by music, videos, and visuals and how they influence learning,” Efrén shares. “I wanted to understand when background music helps, when it distracts, and how instructional videos can be designed to support learners both cognitively and emotionally.”
UCF catapulted Efren’s growth as an emerging professional and researcher after he graduated with his Ph.D. from UCF. Through continued collaborations with UCF mentors, faculty, and students, he has coauthored and published 20 peer-reviewed articles, coauthored four book chapters, delivered almost 40 presentations at national and international conferences, and remained actively involved in conference and journal reviewing. Some of his coauthored works are currently recognized as among the most-cited articles in the journals where they were published, including a meta-analysis of music and learning published in Psychology of Music.
Efren understands the power of multimedia to shape meaningful learning experiences. He believes that, in today’s higher education landscape, online learning is no longer optional; it is central to how institutions expand access, support students, and promote success. “My research helps show how course components, such as multimedia, assessments, and instructional strategies, can be intentionally designed to create more effective, efficient, and engaging online courses,” he explains. This commitment also informs his recent work with a multi-institutional team of researchers who argue that instructional design is not only a creative practice but also an applied science. Their work emphasizes that design decisions should be grounded in theory, research, professional expertise, and contextual evidence rather than intuition or tradition alone.
Efren is also an active member of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), where he also received outstanding recognition for his work as an editorial board member and reviewer for TechTrends. Recently, he was recognized by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) with the 2026 Dr. Janet McMahill Rising Star Award, honoring an instructional designer who demonstrates exceptional promise in the field of distance education.
One of the most rewarding parts of his journey has been seeing his research applied in real courses. “Publishing work on background music, instructional video design, and online learning, and then seeing those ideas used in practice, has been incredibly fulfilling,” he says.
For aspiring graduate researchers, Efrén encourages patience, curiosity, and finding a topic that truly excites you. “When you are genuinely interested in your research, the long hours of reading, writing, and analyzing data feel purposeful,” he says. “Also, get involved in professional organizations and strengthen your professional network.”
To Efrén, being a UCF Global Knight means being part of a community that values innovation and diverse perspectives. “It represents opportunity, growth, and the chance to contribute back to knowledge, research, and practice.”