About me
I’m Nadja Zaric, a Learning & Development consultant specializing in instructional design, e-learning development, and gamification.
I hold a PhD in Education and Computer Science from RWTH Aachen University in Germany, where I spent several years researching how personalized gamification can improve learner engagement and outcomes. That research led to PeGaM, a framework I developed for designing gamified learning experiences that adapt to how people actually learn.
For over 15 years, I’ve been working at the intersection of technology and education. I’ve designed digital learning solutions for financial institutions, public sector organizations, EU-funded projects, and educational institutions. The work has ranged from setting up Moodle-based training systems and building interactive e-learning content to designing nationally accredited training programs.
What I’ve found is that most organizations don’t have a training problem. They have a design problem. The knowledge is there, the subject matter experts are there, but nobody has taken the time to structure it into something that people can actually absorb, complete, and apply on the job. That’s where I come in.
I currently serve as COO at Logate Institute, where I oversee the development of digital learning programs and training infrastructure. I also teach at the University of Mediterranean, and I’m an EPALE Ambassador for Montenegro (2025-2027), contributing to European platforms for adult learning and education.
What I bring to the table
Research-backed methodology
My approach to learning design isn’t based on trends or guesswork. It comes from years of academic research on how gamification, personalization, and motivation psychology affect learning outcomes. The PeGaM framework is the practical result of that research.
Cross-sector experience
I’ve designed learning solutions for banking and insurance, public administration and judiciary, tourism, telecommunications, and aviation. Each sector has its own constraints and culture, and I’ve learned to adapt quickly to what each environment demands.
End-to-end capability
I don’t just design the strategy and hand it off. I can take a project from initial needs analysis through content design, platform implementation, and analytics setup. If you need someone who understands both the pedagogy and the technology, that’s what I do.
EU and international projects
I’ve contributed to multiple EU-funded projects (FP7, Tempus, Erasmus+) focused on open educational resources, e-learning quality assurance, and digital skills development. I’m familiar with the requirements, reporting structures, and collaborative workflows these projects demand.
My approach: PeGaM framework
PeGaM (Personalized Gamification Model) is a framework I developed during my doctoral research at RWTH Aachen University. It provides a structured, step-by-step process for designing gamified learning experiences that are personalized to the learner, not just layered on top of existing content.
The framework covers five phases: understanding learner profiles, defining the purpose of personalization, selecting appropriate game elements, designing meaningful gamification systems, and evaluating results. I use it as the foundation for my gamification work with clients, and I’ve also published it as a guide for educators and L&D professionals who want to apply these principles in their own work.
Credentials
Education
PhD in Education and Computer Science
RWTH Aachen University, Germany
MSc in Information Technology and E-Learning
University of Novi Sad, Serbia
BSc in Information Technology
University of Novi Sad, Serbia
Current roles
COO
Logate Institute
Professor
University of Mediterranean, Montenegro
EPALE Ambassador for Montenegro
European Commission, 2025-2027