News archives 2010-2021

Teaching Tip: Reflecting on 30 years of distance and online education

July 14, 2020

Marissa Carl

Heidi Olson, left, started her 30-year UAF career at the front desk of the Center for Distance Education, which eventually became eCampus. She retired in June 2020 as the eCampus learning design coordinator. Kim Runnion, right, is currently the eCampus registration coordinator. This photo was taken in July 1993.
Heidi Olson, left, started her 30-year UAF career at the front desk of the Center for Distance Education, which eventually became eCampus. She retired in June 2020 as the eCampus learning design coordinator. Kim Runnion, right, is currently the eCampus registration coordinator. This photo was taken in July 1993.


Heidi Olson managed paper-based correspondence courses in the ’80s, supported UAF’s first online offerings in the late ’90s, and has handled thousands of online courses since. She retired last week.

Read her reflections on these changes over time and advice on giving students the best possible learning experience.