Des Plaines Ill. (March 18, 2026) - From interactive history lessons about World War II heroes to real-time learning analytics, Oakton College educators are redefining what online learning looks like. Their innovative approaches have earned them national recognition.
Matthew Boutilier, Ph.D., director of online curriculum and instruction, and Wendy Adele-Marie, Ph.D., distinguished professor of History and coordinator of Jewish Studies, were recognized March 14 at the 2026 Instructional Technology Council (ITC) eLearning Conference. Their awards highlight their leadership in creating more engaging and supportive online learning environments.
The ITC is an instructional technology membership organization that inspires community college practitioners to innovate. The conference brought together higher education professionals dedicated to advancing distance learning and instructional technology.
Matthew Boutilier, Ph.D., director of online curriculum and instruction
Boutilier received the Innovative eLearning Technology Award for his pioneering work in developing learning analytics dashboard prototypes designed to support online students and faculty.
“I am deeply honored to receive the 2026 Instructional Technology Council’s Innovative eLearning Technology award,” said Boutilier. “As a first-generation college graduate, the importance of education, instilled by my parents, fuels my commitment to student success. This recognition validates the ongoing effort to develop meaningful tools that clearly illustrate student performance in their courses, empowering them to take corrective action and providing centralized access to the essential support and resources Oakton offers.”
Boutilier’s data-informed dashboards provide real-time insights into course performance, helping students better understand their progress and identify areas that may need additional support. The system connects students to resources in intuitive and accessible ways when challenges arise.
For faculty, the dashboards offer a clear view of overall class performance and help identify students who may be at risk. Built-in automation tools allow instructors to send timely reminders about tutoring, advising and other academic support services, strengthening proactive outreach and instructional responsiveness.
Wendy Adele-Marie, Ph.D., distinguished professor of History and coordinator of Jewish Studies
Adele-Marie received the ITC Outstanding Distance Educator Award in recognition of her leadership in creating equitable, engaging and student-centered online learning environments.
“Receiving the ITC Outstanding Distance Educator Award is especially meaningful to me as a first-generation college graduate raised by my grandmother, who taught me that education is something no one can ever take away from you and to always value the human stories within history,” said Adele-Marie. “In my online courses, I help students connect with the past by highlighting experiences that make historical events relatable and human.”
Widely respected for her thoughtful course design, Adele-Marie approaches online education with empathy and intentionality. She structures her courses to reduce cognitive load, ensuring students feel confident and supported from the moment they first log in.
Understanding that history is more than a collection of dates, she weaves human stories into a compelling narrative that invites curiosity and critical thinking. Her virtual classrooms are carefully organized to minimize distractions and create a welcoming atmosphere that fosters both academic rigor and emotional safety. For example, when teaching about World War II, she draws on the experiences of veterans, liberators and Holocaust survivors she had the privilege to learn from. She also introduces students to historical figures such as Charles Jackson French, a U.S. Navy sailor who swam for hours in shark-infested Pacific waters to save 15 wounded shipmates after the USS Gregory sank.
Wherever you are learning — whether on-campus, hybrid, or 100 percent remote — you are a valued part of Oakton’s community. To learn more, visit the College's Online Learning page.