Guiding Empowerment Model (GEM)
What if we designed for the way people really connect, grow, and learn?

The Guiding Empowerment Model (GEM) is a strategy framework I developed to support learner-centered design at scale. It translates cognitive science, trauma-informed care, and motivational theory into grounded multiple large-scale initiatives, from AI-powered coaching to modular program design.

What's inside?

  • 31 design factors grouped into six domains

  • Direct mapping to personalization, systems, and community design strategies

  • A scaffold for scaling intention, not just content

Infographic with six labeled sections (A–F) illustrating dimensions of student traits across cognitive and behavioral axes. A. Time and energy allocator: A quadrant chart with axes for mental and physical engagement, dividing energy use into four zones. B. Sensory processing: A grid showing seeking and avoidance behaviors along visual, auditory, and tactile modalities. The top zone is labeled "unregistered" for low sensitivity; the bottom is labeled "sensitive" for heightened sensitivity. C. Social cognition: A horizontal continuum ranging from rejection sensitivity and demand avoidance to empathy and social flexibility. D. Reasoning: A horizontal axis measuring traits like adaptiveness, emotional vs. logical thinking, comfort with risk, and decision-making style. E. Executive function: A scale tracking focus and task style, from distractibility and hyperfocus to conscientious planning and big-picture thinking. F. Foundational efficacy: Axes show language processing and self-awareness skills, including subject mastery, language fluency, and cognitive creation.

Read the Peer-Reviewed Publication

This full text article was published in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) Frontiers in Education (FIE) Conference 2024 proceedings.

Cite: H. Beaux, P. Karimi, O. Pop and R. Clark, "Guiding Empowerment Model: Liberating Neurodiversity in Online Higher Education," in 2024 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), Washington, DC, USA, 2024, pp. 1-9, doi: 10.1109/FIE61694.2024.10893125.

Or browse the FUN Version!

This silly slide deck explains the model and 31 factors through memes! Content warning: language.

Explore the initiatives that GEM has supported:

Laptop screen displaying a course interface for “D306 Azure Developer Associate,” with a navigation menu on the left and a chatbot window offering tips on the right.

AI & Personalization

Four screenshots of a content authoring tool showing different states of a text editing interface, including question input fields and content previews.

Systems That Scale

Slide titled “Connection Avoidance Reasons” with icons representing social saturation, social distress, timing, modes, and perceived disengaged faculty interaction, from the On-the-Go, Low Momentum Learners Study.

Designing Community

Copyright © 2025 Hannah Beaux
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