Colleague Alumni Magazine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology | Pepperdine University

Dr. Margaret Riel Honored For Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching

Margaret Riel, Ph.D., visiting faculty in the education division was honored with the world’s most prestigious distance learning award from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). Dr. Riel is best known for her research and development of collaborative learning models and communities of practice. She has studied interactive learning environments with a focus on collaborative learning, facilitated, but not controlled, by technology. The result of her work is the development of models of network learning, specifically “cross-classroom collaboration” and “electronic travel” designs, with the goal of creating contexts for teacher and student learning.

Of her recognition, Dr. Riel says, “Any award for teaching is shared equally with the students, and the students at Pepperdine are some of the most engaged, motivated learners that I have taught.”

Dr. Riel took home the Gold-level award for Online Technology in Higher Education in the category of Best Practices for Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching. The USDLA Awards were created to highlight distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved extraordinary results through the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite, and blended-learning delivery technologies.

Dr. Margaret Weber, dean of the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, noted that, “This is a wonderful recognition of Dr. Riel’s development and support of the virtual learning environment and the learning experiences she provides for our students.”