Sometimes we find our passions later in life…
In 2012, someone told me that online learning was just as effective as classroom learning. I didn’t believe them. In fact, I thought they were crazy.
And yet, despite my skepticism, I took the plunge—I enrolled in an online graduate program to earn my Master’s degree in Project and Program Management from Brandeis University. I was expecting a watered-down experience compared to my undergrad classroom days. Instead, I was surprised to find that my online learning journey wasn’t just as effective—it was, in many ways, MORE effective.
That realization changed everything, and my passion for thriving as an educator in the online learning environment was born. My passion for teaching bloomed, and with it, a deep curiosity: What makes online education work?
Fast-forward to today…
Thirteen years, multiple graduate-level courses, and lots of students later, I’ve:
✅ Designed and taught graduate-level courses across different platforms.
✅ Won a “Teacher of the Year” award in just my second year of teaching.
✅ Tested and refined what works (and what doesn’t) in online, asynchronous education.
✅ Made skeptics into believers—starting with myself!
Along the way, I’ve learned how to keep students engaged, how to make online teaching effective and fun (yes, really!), and how to bring creativity into what could otherwise be a dry, detached experience.
So, what’s the purpose of this blog?
This blog exists to help educators—whether you’re new to online teaching or a seasoned pro—create engaging, effective learning experiences.
I’ve had the experience of being on the learning side, the teaching side, and the creating side of the online learning experience, and I believe that has provided me with a well-rounded bag of tricks to share. I’ve also learned an awful lot about what NOT to do, which I suppose is just a bag of tricks of a different color. So, I believe I have enough to share that can help teachers enhance the online learning experience and make it as effective as classroom learning
While my experience is rooted in graduate-level online education, the strategies I share are applicable across e-learning, distance learning, corporate training, and beyond.
What you’ll find here:
🔹 Practical insights on what works (and what doesn’t) in online teaching.
🔹 Engagement strategies to keep students involved and motivated.
🔹 Creative techniques to make learning both effective and fun.
🔹 Lessons learned from years of trial, error, and success.
What you won’t find here:
❌ Preaching about how online learning is the best and only way.
❌ Generic advice you’ve already heard a million times.
❌ Fluff. Just real, actionable insights from experience.
Final thoughts (and a small disclaimer!)
My content may seem focused on academia, but the ideas here apply across the entire online learning spectrum. Whether you’re teaching a college course, designing corporate training, or creating e-learning content, hopefully you’ll find something valuable here.
So, take a look around. Share what resonates. Suggest topics you’d love to see covered. And if you want to stay in the loop, subscribe to my newsletter!
Happy learning! (Online, of course. 😃)