Writing and Rhetoric Faculty Member Named Top Online Instructor

The Paragon Award recognizes UM faculty members who use online learning technology effectively through good practices in course design, innovative use of technologies and commitment to providing a quality education.

The 2025-26 award, which includes a $1,000 prize, was presented during an annual recognition luncheon for Ole Miss Online faculty members at the Jackson Avenue Center.

"Dr. Thorndike's course didn't stand out in just one category; she excelled in all of them," said Molly Coleman, associate director of the Office of Academic Outreach. "Her consistent communication and clearly articulated expectations in this course reminded students that there was a real human behind the screen, supporting them every step of the way."

Thorndike has been a longtime champion of online teaching best practices at the university as well as an educator who continues to elevate what online learning can be, Coleman said.

Thorndike's award-winning online course, DMS 101: Introduction to Digital Media Studies, was designed to give students a comprehensive overview of today's digital media landscape and introduce them to ideas and debates within the field.

"You really have to be more intentional in trying to connect with students through a variety of ways in an online course," Thorndike said. "I work to make sure that students understand why they are doing the work that is asked of them each week and how it will build on what they learn throughout the semester.

"I try to be transparent, to help students understand the weekly work is actually teaching them something, so that it doesn't feel like busy work."

Thorndike arrived at Ole Miss in 2014 as she was completing her doctorate degree in English from Kent State University. She has taught a variety of writing courses, including Writing 102 and 350 throughout her time at the university.

She first taught Digital Media Studies as a live course in 2019 but quickly realized she preferred teaching this subject matter online.

"Students are thinking of how they will use digital content creation and AI tools in their future careers, and they continue to want to learn more about this ever-evolving field," Thorndike said.

To help students manage the workload of an online course in an effective manner, she set up a grading system through research with previous online courses and with the help of students. The result was an easy-to-follow grading rubric that shows students exactly what work is required to secure particular letter grades.

"I surveyed online students and there was feedback asking for more transparency about how to achieve a specific grade a student may want to make in an online course," Thorndike said. "I think it helps students not to get as stressed about the workload in the course, because there is a clear path so students know what they must do each week to earn the grade they want to make."

Thorndike sends out messages throughout the semester to remind students of projects that are due and what is needed each week to earn the grade they are working toward.

"I think using this expectations scale also mimics what students might see when they are finished at the university and are out in the workforce, where they may have benchmarks that they need to meet in their job performance," she said.

The use of artificial intelligence is another theme intertwined in the course. Thorndike explained that she does see some trepidation from students who are worried about AI claiming jobs they could potentially vie for in the future.

"It's tricky," Thorndike said. "I try to toe the line between showing students how to use AI ethically and making sure they are not using it to replace their own thinking.

"I let them experiment with using AI to help them, but I also want them to see the limitations of AI and how it really can't replace what they can do and what they can offer to a job. We want to keep the human touch."

In student evaluation responses, one student commented that the class was more analytical and philosophical than they had thought it would be.

"It was less of a technical manual and more of a critical thinking boot camp for the digital age," the student wrote.

Another class member discussed how they felt that this course had helped them to consider what's happening behind the scenes of online content.

"Every time you log on, scroll or post. you start to notice how what we see online reflects our thinking and behavior, but also how it shapes what we think and how we are reacting," they said.

"Coursework felt less like a chore and more like a conversation I was already interested in having."

Thorndike said she keeps working to find new ways of approaching the courses she teaches so that the course material stays fresh for not only the students, but also for herself.

"One thing I believe is that my education is never complete," she said. "The more I can learn about different teaching styles and techniques, the better teacher and coach I will be to my students."

Top: Colleen Thorndike shows off her Paragon Award, designating her as the 2025-26 Ole Miss Online teacher of the year. She accepted the award at the online faculty luncheon sponsored by the Office of Academic Outreach at the Jackson Avenue Center. Thorndike's course, Introduction to Digital Media Studies, was cited for its use of clear student communication and transparency in weekly assignments and grading that made a clear path for student success. Submitted photo