Indeed, personal computers have put typography on the desktops of everyone with a word processing program. This is not to say that clicking the Font menu in word processing and related software creates instant typographers. That's where Carolyn comes in: "I'm passionate about typography." Carolyn uses Flash to make typography come alive by creating interactive, hands-on experiences for learners. "I worked as a computer programmer, graphic designer, and web designer before coming to Foothill College where I now integrate elements from those professions into hopefully inspiring experiences for learners."

While her motivation for putting Typography online was to reach a larger and more varied student population and try different teaching strategies, the process has had the additional benefit of livening up her campus-based teaching. "I am working harder to make the traditional classes as exciting as the online classes."

Regardless, some advantages are specific to the online format. Carolyn believes that a diverse background is indispensable for developing web-based instructional materials. And she puts that belief into action: "Students shouldn't have to waste time communicating with me to clarify things when they could be spending time working on creative projects and communicating with each other and me about what they are doing."

With a background in educational technology, computer engineering and graphic design, Carolyn is able to successfully combine pedagogy with technology and aesthetics of digital design. The result? Successful online learning experiences. Carolyn is especially proud of the Flash modules that she feels are much more interesting than offline exercises, reading and quizzes. She reports that student success is as good or better than in the traditional classroom. Students "pass the word," resulting in increased enrollment. Student exit surveys reveal that many students who enroll in the online course would never have taken the traditional classroom equivalent.

It is not all Flash and fun for Carolyn. "Web-based course materials require me to be more organized," she admits. "I finish course development or revisions before the quarter starts and do not change anything while students are using it. Previously I would often do things 'in the moment.'"

The student response has been positive and encouraging. "I tried online course before," said a former student, "but always dropped after a week or two. "This online typography course was so simple to follow, before I knew it, the quarter was over." Carolyn admits that the course must have some nurturing attributes that help even the most apprehensive online learner. "I am more accessible online, where I am likely to answer a students' question within 12 hours," she explains. Indeed, this is a huge benefit over a traditional format where students have to wait up to a week for answers when the class meets again in the classroom. She adds that students may also feel nurtured in that the online aspect of the course requires minimal reading and more watching and doing. "Right away the structure, particularly the interactivity, pulls them into the material."

In her virtual classroom, Carolyn likes watching how students use or respond to the materials from a distance. She finds that there is increased emphasis on the "what" and "how" of the learning experience rather than the "who" - which she puts squarely among the positive aspects. "Personality, mine or theirs, isn't as big of an issue online as in person," said Carolyn. Plus, she acknowledges, "I have a lot of fun developing the online materials and being in the classroom takes me away from that."

Carolyn advises potential online colleagues to encourage and expect students to post their work in threaded discussion areas. "With a large class and many exercises it can be difficult for the instructor to thoroughly critique all of the exercises as well as the creative projects. Invite them to learn from each other." As with many online courses, "Student involvement can really make or break the experience."

Her advice to students? "Get lots of fonts!" She also suggests keeping a sketchbook or scrapbook of ideas, and "Sketch, sketch, sketch! Try many approaches to each project before selecting a final idea."

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Carolyn Brown teaches Graphic Design & Visual Communication at Foothill College. She earned her MA in Education (Instructional Technologies) from San Francisco State University, in addition to a BFA in Graphic Design from Temple University. She attended the University of Pennsylvania for her BSE in Computer Science.