TOPcast: The Teaching Online Podcast

Recorded in front of a plenary audience at the OLC Accelerate 2025 conference and drawing upon crowdsourced listener input and live audience questions, this is it: the final, regularly-scheduled episode of TOPcast: The Teaching Online Podcast . Please enjoy this cumulative synthesis of insights from the podcast. Good-bye and thanks for joining us for all the coffee and all the conversations! Podca...

Guests Dr. Michelle Pacansky-Brock (“Brocanksy”) and Dr. Alejandra (“Alex”) Pickett unpack decades of experience in conversation with hosts Tom and Kelvin on the topic of scaling high-quality, impactful online design/teaching through preparing and supporting faculty. This episode is the final episode in a mini-series of “pillar panels” offering distilled insights from esteemed community members on...

Dr. Safary Wa-Mbaleka and Dr. Baiyun Chen join hosts Tom and Kelvin to discuss the future of the field of higher education instructional design and their comprehensive(!) new book on the subject.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Safary Wa-Mbaleka Dr. Baiyun Chen #advgb-cols-8dec251f-bc9e-4e07-aed1-e4e1a4c47088{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-8dec251f-bc9e-4e...

Guests Dr. Tanya Joosten and Dr. Patsy Moskal unpack decades of expertise in conducting research and fostering evidence-based practice in conversation with hosts Tom and Kelvin. This episode is the second in a mini-series of “pillar panels” offering distilled insights from esteemed community members on key, “structural support” topics essential in the future of strategic online/digital education....

Guest Dr. Cristi Ford returns to the show to discuss with hosts Kelvin and Tom revolutionary forces, wicked problems, and the importance of seeing the future of digital learning and student success as “co-created.” Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Cristi Ford #advgb-cols-d86070f1-92a4-48ea-a97c-202cf72525ca{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-d86070f1-92a4-48ea-a97c-2...

Hosts Kelvin and Tom synthesize themes from three 2025 industry reports and more in this episode to focus on the importance of aligning leadership ambitions of presidents/provosts and quality assurance operations of online education. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF #advgb-cols-0da6e318-a6e7-4ad8-b94f-e70c4db31030{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-0da6e318-a6e7-4ad8-b94...

OLC’s Dr. Jennifer Mathes joins hosts Tom and Kelvin to discuss the roles we all can play in ensuring that higher ed online learning continues to be effective and strategic in meeting our society’s needs.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Jennifer Mathes #advgb-cols-562fadd7-78d2-4074-a8a6-c1b73d589b5e{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-562fadd7-78d2-4074-a8a6-c1b73d...

Guests Ray Schroeder and Dr. Melissa Vito unpack decades of practical wisdom on leadership vision in conversation with hosts Tom and Kelvin. This episode is the first in a mini-series of “pillar panels” offering distilled insights from esteemed community members on key, “structural support” topics essential in the future of strategic online/digital education. Podcast Recording Download Transcript:...

Higher ed futurist Dr. Bryan Alexander guests alongside hosts Kelvin and Tom to reflect on the recent past and near-term possible futures of digital higher education. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Bryan Alexander #advgb-cols-bb9c7f87-701a-4bef-b162-a9147ffa96f2{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-bb9c7f87-701a-4bef-b162-a9147ffa96f2{}}@media screen and (max-width:...

Hosts Tom and Kelvin consider the role well-designed online learning can play in institutional efforts to increase student retention.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF #advgb-cols-7cdf1832-3f64-467c-ac01-4ee989b10b41{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-7cdf1832-3f64-467c-ac01-4ee989b10b41{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-cols-7cdf1832-3f64-467c-ac01-4ee...

Guest market analyst Dr. Glenda Morgan joins hosts Kelvin and Tom to share a concentrated distillation of wise insights on online enrollment growth, student success online, and much more.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Glenda Morgan #advgb-cols-5c40cb6e-9a5e-4a35-b5ab-ec799ea42a29{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-5c40cb6e-9a5e-4a35-b5ab-ec799ea42a29{}}@medi...

Hosts Kelvin and Tom examine recent trend data on the academic readiness and unique challenges of current K12 students who will be college students soon. Digital learning professionals can bring our strengths to the table to partner with other colleagues in better supporting these learners. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF #advgb-cols-c24c45a2-f827-4d3e-ab78-945029c34c16{}@media screen a...

Return guest Dr. Jocelyn Widmer joins hosts Kelvin and Tom to discuss a brand new book focused on leading the strategy and practice of online higher education and clarifying the role of the Chief Online Learning Officer (COLO). Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Return guest Dr. Jocelyn Widmer #advgb-cols-16899fdc-af47-494b-8dc6-6f10f38ff9b5{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-c...

Hosts Kelvin and Tom speak about (and to) the “core audience” of online faculty, instructional designers, and administrative leaders, alongside many other roles, to unpack the podcast’s conceptualization of online education as centered on optimizing course design and teaching. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF #advgb-cols-f31964f0-e1e1-4bc1-a8ba-51ebb464559c{}@media screen and (max-width:...

Return guest Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich joins hosts Kelvin and Tom to share hard won expert tips on improving online program marketing and enrollment.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Return guest Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich #advgb-cols-4647d731-5af7-4fdb-be0d-fc42f5159187{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-4647d731-5af7-4fdb-be0d-fc42f5159187{}}@media scr...

With ten years in the rear view mirror, hosts Tom and Kelvin talk through insights gained about the field of online education and the podcast itself after they reviewed the “Top10” episodes of TOPcast. [Spoiler: Tune in for a big announcement!] Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF #advgb-cols-ab9b3b5f-e968-4fdc-8705-2e91d2eae8b1{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-ab9b3b5f-e9...

1EdTech Consortium CEO Curtiss Barnes guests on the show alongside hosts Kelvin and Tom to “decomplexify” the value 1EdTech brings to the digital learning community through open standards and more.  Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Curtiss Barnes #advgb-cols-2c3a34ca-6f44-4715-9c56-9b911e7a2e48{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-2c3a34ca-6f44-4715-9c56-9b911e7a2e48{...

Hosts Tom and Kelvin discuss how institutions can avoid the enrollment cliff by embracing a values-driven strategy in online higher education. Learn key insights to navigate demographic shifts, economic pressures, and the evolving digital learning landscape. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF #advgb-cols-18f3adbe-ed1f-4635-91cf-7e6a583d8a58{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-co...

Guest Dr. Thomas J. (Tom) Tobin joins hosts Tom and Kelvin for a slightly spicy conversation about the extent to which general teaching behaviors can be meaningfully separated from other factors such as course modality, student characteristics, institutional resources, and more. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Dr. Thomas J. (Tom) Tobin #advgb-cols-7f89b36f-0fbe-428d-aade-94577aabc188{}@...

Hosts Kelvin and Tom discuss the challenge, still present after 30 years, of helping others (e.g., policymakers, potential students, etc.) understand what a  “good online course” is without experiencing one themselves. They discuss why this still matters and what approaches might help. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF #advgb-cols-8ac09479-28f4-4272-ac91-92c82f54c3da{}@media scr...

Returning guest Dr. Nicole Johnson joins hosts Tom and Kelvin to discuss findings from the seventh annual report of the state of digital learning in Canada produced by the Canadian Digital Learning Research Association (CDLRA). Similarities with global themes and distinctives unique to the Canadian context are discussed. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Guest Dr. Nicole Johnson #advgb-co...

As US higher ed institutions experienced shifts to remote work and instruction in early 2025, it’s an ideal time for us as digital learning professionals to reflect on key lessons learned in ensuring continuity of operations as we seek to support successful future transitions. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF #advgb-cols-d20b87b9-5268-4048-b8f3-8500e43d2688{}@media screen and (max-...

Guest Dr. Vickie Cook joins hosts Kelvin and Tom to discuss unexpected career trajectories for digital learning professionals, especially COLOs, related to sought-after, transferable skill sets. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Guest Dr. Vickie Cook #advgb-cols-b33e87ed-f30c-4477-ad23-65b84ef7a74a{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-b33e87ed-f30c-4477-ad23-65b84ef7a74a{}}...

In celebration of 30 years of OLC conferences and with input and reactions from our community of online/digital learning professionals, including a live audience(!), hosts Tom and Kelvin discuss the issues inherent in predicting and shaping a desirable future for online/digital education over the next 30 years. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF #advgb-cols-a428c0b2-466d-4b77-bd44-135e612e...

Guest Dr. Matt Bergman joins Tom and Kelvin to discuss the current role credit for prior learning plays in American higher education and how we can all do a bit more to use this approach effectively in our digital learning work. Podcast Recording Download Transcript: PDF Guest Dr. Matt Bergman #advgb-cols-a545f1d9-fc44-4853-96a1-4bedbc32b068{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-a545...