Meeting Students Where They Are: How Colorado Online is Transforming Digital Learning Through Collaboration

Each year, I look forward to the WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Awards because they give us the chance to shine a light on the incredible innovations happening across our community. These awards celebrate the projects that push digital learning forward—the ones that tackle real challenges, expand access, improve quality, and deliver meaningful results for today’s learners.

This year’s WOW Award recipients truly embody that spirit. Their work represents statewide collaboration, equity-driven design, and creative solutions that meet students where they are. From opening doors for rural and working learners, to reconnecting adults with unfinished degrees, to transforming course materials into engaging, interactive experiences, these initiatives show what’s possible when dedication and innovation come together.

In this year’s blog series, you’ll hear directly from the teams behind four outstanding projects:

• California Virtual Campus – California Community Colleges, expanding seamless online access and quality across one of the largest higher education systems in the country.
• Colorado Online – Colorado Community College System, building a unified statewide online learning ecosystem that gives students access to over 800 courses and complete programs—no matter where they live.
• University of Maryland Global Campus – Student Reengagement Program, using personalized outreach and data-informed strategies to help tens of thousands of adult learners return and complete their degrees.
• The University of Phoenix College of Health Professions Interactive Video Initiative, replacing textbooks with immersive, interactive videos that significantly improve student performance and engagement.

We’re kicking off the series with a spotlight on Colorado Online, whose collaborative, student-centered approach is redefining what statewide online learning can look like.

I’m excited to share these stories with you in the weeks ahead, and I hope they spark new ideas and inspiration across our WCET community. Congratulations again to this year’s WOW Award recipients. Your work continues to “wow” us in all the best ways.

Enjoy the read,
Lindsey Downs, Editor

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When we began uniting Colorado’s 13 community colleges under a shared vision for online learning, one question guided us: how do we scale digital access without losing human connection? In an era where technology and artificial intelligence are rapidly reshaping education, our experience at Colorado Online has proven that connection, not automation, is at the heart of transformation.

“By uniting all 13 Colorado community colleges in resource sharing, we’ve created a system where even our smallest rural institutions can offer robust online programs to meet workforce demands, while keeping students at the center of every design and decision.”

Tina Parscal, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

This collaborative approach, which we call the “Power of 13,” shows that digital learning’s future depends on combining technological innovation with deep human engagement.

The Power of Unified Digital Learning

Unlike other statewide systems that simply bundle online courses under a shared brand or cross-registration, Colorado Online takes a truly integrated approach. All 13 CCCS colleges share a single learning management system, allowing students to seamlessly enroll in courses across colleges. This integration erases geographic boundaries while equalizing access to essential services. Today, every student, regardless of location, has access to 24/7 technical support, student success coaching, comprehensive tutoring services, online proctoring, early alert systems, and extensive library resources.

[IMAGE: Suggested visualization of the collaborative network showing student support services]

Two Important Lessons We Learned

1. It Takes a Village – Really

Success in digital learning transformation requires broad system-wide commitment. Our experience has shown that regular communication through town halls, newsletters, and functional meetings is essential for maintaining alignment and momentum.

2. Balance Standardization with Flexibility

We’ve learned to strike the right balance between consistency and adaptability. Faculty have the freedom to develop course shells or adapt peer-developed teaching resources while adhering to established learning outcomes and accreditation standards. This approach ensures quality while preserving innovation.

Real Impact Through Human Connection

The true measure of our success lies in how our faculty translate these resources into meaningful learning experiences. Dr. Eva Fisher, one of our Interpersonal Communication instructors, exemplifies this perfectly:

“People still need to talk to each other at work and in their personal lives.”

Dr. Eva Fisher, Interpersonal Communication Instructor

Dr. Fisher’s observation reflects our commitment to developing practical, transferable skills. Her innovative approach to course design helps students apply communication theories to real-world situations, demonstrating how online learning can create meaningful personal and professional impact.

Practical Applications for Other Institutions

Our path to creating a unified digital learning environment has taught us valuable lessons that any institution can apply. We’ve developed several key technological solutions that drive our success:

• The award-winning Sectionizer Tool (2024 CIO100 Award winner) provides real-time enrollment data and ensures equitable teaching distribution
• A sophisticated, data-driven section distribution process optimizes course availability using historic enrollment patterns
• A comprehensive student support system, including student success liaisons and support and early alert technology

The numbers tell a compelling story: we’ve grown from 91 courses to over 400 unique courses, offering approximately 5,000 pooled sections per academic year. More importantly, we’ve served over 150,000 enrollments in academic year 2024-25, with 70% of students reporting they would recommend Colorado Online to others.

Charting Your Own Digital Learning Transformation

As I reflect on our journey, I’m reminded of a conversation with one of our college presidents who told me, “What seemed impossible two years ago is now our daily reality. Our students have access to opportunities we could only dream of before.”

If you’re inspired to embark on your own digital learning transformation, consider these steps:

1. Examine your current collaborative networks
2. Assess your technical infrastructure’s scalability
3. Focus on building a culture of shared success
4. Prioritize both standardization and innovation

Remember, the future of digital learning isn’t just about technology, it’s about people. If there’s one lesson our team has learned it’s that true innovation begins with trust, shared purpose, and a belief that collaboration can create opportunities once thought impossible.

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