Episode 7: Holly Owens

In this episode, I talk to Holly Owens about how the media has given remote learning a bad reputation, and Holly talks about the difference between remote learning and online learning. She provides best practices for teachers as well as tips for those hoping to transition from education into instructional design.

Holly Owens is the Assistant Director of Instructional Design with Online Education at Touro College and University System. She has over 13 years of experience in education in various roles, including instructional technologist and high school educator. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in education, and instructional design. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Education Administration and Leadership with Touro University Nevada and will graduate in the summer of 2021. She has a passion for online learning and the opportunities this modality brings to students around the world.

Holly has presented at international, national, and regional conferences on topics related to online learning, educational technology, and research-based quality assurance in the online classroom.

Her presentation experience includes:

June 2020: Lecture Breakers Virtual Conference, Ed Tech Tools in the Online Space
July 2019: 26th Annual International Conference on Learning, Queen's University, Belfast, Ireland, Transitioning the Academic Learning Environment: From Blackboard to Canvas.
Multiple presentations & years, Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Accelerate & Quality Matters (QM)


Holly is also a small business owner in New York (Jolly Holly Ed Services, LLC) and offers professional services for those that want to transition to a career in instructional design. Her business services include technology training, consultation, coaching and other professional services related to online pedagogy. She can be contacted at [email protected] or by going to her site jollyholly.me for business-related inquiries. Holly enjoys collaborating with other professionals to help bring meaning to all educational experiences.

Holly's suggestions for those who want to learn more about online education:

Dr. Ken Robinson's Finding Your Element (NOTE: This is the SECOND time this has been recommended by a guest! The first was by LaToya Smith in Episode 3. Check it out!)

Aaron Johnson's Excellent Online Teaching: Effective Strategies for a Successful Semester Online