SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador 2022: Buffalo State – Maggie Keef

Maggie Keef, M.S. Ed is a full-time lecturer in the Fashion and Textile Technology department at SUNY Buffalo State (BSC). Keef teaches courses in digital fashion design, textile design technologies, digital fabric design, and digital retailing/ecommerce. Prior to joining the SUNY Buffalo State faculty in 2013, she was a graphic and textile designer at Fisher-Price, East Aurora, NY. Beginning here, she also shared her expertise in digital and  textile design as a consultant. Keef earned her Master of Science in Education in Learning Design and Educational Technology (2018) from SUNY Buffalo State. Keef was an early adopter online education. Beginning in 2013, she started developing and teaching her online courses. Technology and online integration are the foundation of her course design and industry work.

Currently, she serves on the Digital Learning Environment Project Team (BSC), Approved Applied Learning Oversite Committee (BSC). Keef was invited to serve on the Online Inclusion Committee at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. She serves as a faculty fellow for SUNY Online where she works closely with the Instructional Design department mentoring fellow faculty on online course design and development.

My journey with online instruction is two-fold: student and instructor. In 2002, I enrolled in two online college courses. My online student experience exceeded my involvement in a traditional classroom, which fueled my teaching practice. The benefits that online and virtual education can provide a diverse global student experience is immeasurable. I shifted the way I conducted by life: I immersed myself in several online communities and virtual worlds, which led to learning about technology-driven online teaching.

I continue to connect with educators around the world- we share ideas and I’ve integrated many new online platforms as part of my teaching toolbox and philosophy. The benefits of online education transcend the barriers of time, location, or income. Furthermore, online instruction bridges the gap between student needs and educational goals, and the educators sharing their wealth of expertise.

As an educator, embracing and changing to an online format is an investment that aids student learning. Supporting online students with a well-designed course enriches their online classroom and makes my courses more rewarding. When students share how online education provided them with the best opportunity to learn, it continues to renew my drive to be part of the future of online education.