Sep. 26, 2024
POSTED IN: ONLINE LEARNING > Insights and Updates

Celebrating Rice University’s digital learning accomplishments and global impact this National Online Learning Day

Rice Online Learning team members shared their favorite online courses and reflected on what Rice has achieved in the digital learning space

Behind the scenes image of Dr. Laura Kabiri with Rice Online Learning Team on the set of her online course through Rice University

National Online Learning Day, celebrated on Sept. 15, 2024, provided a unique opportunity to celebrate the impactful work of Rice University’s faculty and schools in creating world-class online courses that extend the university's reach globally. It also served as a moment to reflect on the quality, expertise, and dedication that define each course, supported by the collaborative efforts of Rice's faculty and the experts at Rice Online Learning (ROL).

To mark the occasion, the Rice Online Learning team led a LinkedIn campaign to celebrate the remarkable work of Rice University’s faculty, who are the true driving force behind the creation of high-quality online courses. Faculty members play a pivotal role in bringing innovative, engaging content to learners worldwide, and their dedication was showcased through the personal stories shared by the Rice Online Learning team.

Here are a few standout LinkedIn posts from National Online Learning Day:

1. Shawn Miller – Generating 4.2 Million Enrollments Over 12 Years

Shawn Miller, associate provost for digital learning and strategy at Rice University, took a moment on National Online Learning Day to reflect on Rice's long-standing partnership with Coursera. In his post, Shawn highlighted the global reach and influence Rice has achieved through its nearly 100 online courses, and 4.2 million enrollments over 12 years. (Link to post)

For a deeper look into how Rice has extended its global reach through this partnership, Shawn also pointed to the article, "12 Years of Extending Rice's Global Reach and Reputation Through Coursera," which details the university's journey in digital learning and its continued success.

2. Lan Ma – Designing Engaging Science Education

Lan Ma, a course designer at Rice Online Learning, shared her enthusiasm for the Introduction to Biology Specialization on Coursera, taught by Dr. Scott Solomon. Her post emphasized the innovative design of the course, which uses virtual field trips to locations like the Houston Zoo and the Houston Arboretum to make biology come to life for learners across the globe. Lan’s dedication to creating immersive, engaging content exemplifies the quality ROL strives for in every course. (Link to post)

3. Senia Perez – “Behind-the-Scenes” Fun and Collaboration Delivers Teaching Excellence

Senia Perez, a video production specialist at Rice Online Learning, offered an insider’s perspective on her work with Dr. Laura Kabiri on the Human Anatomy and Physiology Specialization. She shared how Dr. Kabiri’s enthusiasm and quirkiness made these courses special and resulted in high learner satisfaction ratings. Senia’s post sheds light on the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into every course, from capturing engaging lectures to ensuring that every video reflects Rice’s high standards. (Link to post)

4. Shelby Mathews – Crafting Interactive Economics Education

Shelby Mathews, a video production specialist at Rice Online Learning, shared her experience working on the Principles of Economics Specialization with Dr. James DeNicco. She spoke proudly of the over 100 animated graphs she created, designed to make complex economic concepts easier to grasp. Shelby’s attention to detail and commitment to creating visually engaging content are integral to the course’s success. (Link to post)

In response to Shelby’s post, Dr. DeNicco, the director of the Principles of Economics Program, expressed his gratitude, saying:

Thank you for the spotlight! We are closing in on over 6,000 learners in the first year with incredible reviews! As always, the Rice Online team was amazing to work with. They deserve so much credit for any success we have. I miss not having a project to work on with them!

(Link to post)

Dr. DeNicco’s comments reflect the deep collaboration between faculty and the ROL team, underscoring the shared effort that goes into creating successful online learning experiences. His course is part of the 3-Course Principles of Economics Specialization on Coursera, which has become a popular resource for learners worldwide.

5. Martín Calvi – Engaging Engineering Learners Through Real-World Storytelling

Martín Calvi, assistant director of video production at Rice Online Learning, shared his excitement about working on the Leadership Development for Engineers Specialization on Coursera, taught by Dr. David Van Kleeck. Martín praised Dr. Van Kleeck’s engaging and relatable teaching style, noting how the “Dave’s Journal” lectures brought real-world leadership challenges to life. These storytelling elements made the course accessible not just to engineers, but to anyone interested in leadership.

Martín’s post highlights the collaborative process behind the scenes and the dedication that goes into creating content that resonates with learners. His reflection underscores how Rice Online Learning aims to offer not just technical skills but also courses that inspire leadership and personal growth. (Link to post)

6. Diana Ebanks – Data Analysis Skills to Improve Decision-Making within Rice

Diana Ebanks, senior director of growth marketing and analytics at Rice Online Learning, shared her appreciation for Intro to Data Analysis Using Excel, a course developed by Dr. Sharad Borle from Rice Business. Diana's post emphasized the practical value of the course for marketing professionals and underscored how Rice’s online courses offer real-world applications and immediate value to learners. (Link to post)

These stories of collaboration and innovation show the collective effort of Rice Online Learning and the university's faculty in bringing high-quality education to a global audience. Our partnership with Coursera has been instrumental in amplifying Rice’s global impact, with over 2.7 million learners enrolled in nearly 100 courses over the past 12 years.

To learn more about this journey, check out our article “12 Years of Extending Rice's Global Reach and Reputation Through Coursera.”

Want More Recommendations?

Explore the full list of Rice University’s online courses, where you can discover a wide range of topics—from data analysis to mindfulness and leadership development. Or, see which courses Rice faculty and the Rice Online Learning team recommend next by checking out the posts linked below.

Coursera for Rice: Expanding Access for Our Community

Did you know that Coursera for Rice gives all Rice students, faculty, and staff free access to over 80 Rice online courses? With your Rice NetID, you can enroll in courses on high-demand subjects like data analysis, Python programming, and mindfulness, all taught by Rice faculty. This is a great opportunity to enhance your skills, participate in course discussions, and earn certificates for completed courses.

Through National Online Learning Day, we’re reminded of the transformative power of online education and Rice Online Learning’s ongoing mission to make high-quality education accessible to all. We look forward to continuing this journey with our faculty, staff, and learners around the world.

Want to Build Your Own Online Course?

If you're a Rice faculty member interested in expanding your impact on a global scale, contact the Rice Online Learning team at RiceOnline@rice.edu. Let's work together to bring your expertise to learners worldwide!