As instructors become more and more comfortable with creating interactive distance learning experiences with the various technologies, they are refining their skills and creating effective practices that can be shared with others who are only beginning to embark on their distance education ventures. As these instructors create and share, their understanding of this new design process continues to grow.

They are acquiring a deeper sense of what it is to teach effectively using distance education technologies — doing more than just setting up a meeting, program or course. They are grasping the principles and making an effort to ask for and select the appropriate technology(ies). They are realizing the importance of —

• understanding the need for finding ways to know their learners and create a sense of community
• feeling more comfortable in the new distance education environment and considering the benefits of using blended technologies
• changing their perspective from that on a lone instructor to being a team player
• planning ahead, following timelines and developing appropriate formats and strategies
• creating interaction activities to involve their learners
• integrating ample support and
• monitoring for quality

As a result, their proven effective practices are being emulated by other institutions and organizations.