Photo by Tomorrow’s Treasures
Each year the United States Distancing Learning Association (USDLA) recognizes the preeminent distance learning practitioners from around the world. The annual awards program not only salutes some often unsung but hardworking professionals but also showcases the “best of the best” so that others may admire and emulate their excellence and innovation. USDLA will be featuring a different 2016 USDLA Award Winner throughout the next several months. So stay tuned to our USDLA blog as we highlight each award recipient and the amazing things they are doing in the name of “Distance Learning”.
USDLA’s 2016 Platinum Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming was awarded to LearnBop nominated by Fuel Education. LearnBop is an interactive online learning system that uses digital tools to simulate one-on-one tutoring in math. Every step in the process is linked with prerequisite concepts that serve as a bridge to solving specific math challenges. Performance data is available in real-time so teachers can identify knowledge gaps and track the progress of each student. The dashboard even suggests interventions tailored to the needs of each particular student.
At USDLA’s annual awards banquet, co-founder and CEO Bharanidharan Rajakumar accepted the prestigious award. In his own early learning experiences, Mr.Rajakumar struggled to learn math concepts in a poor, over-crowded school. Now through his award-winning product, he feels that he is paying back those who helped him gain a first-rate education by providing students with access to personalized, high quality learning experiences that prepare them to pursue their own dreams.
It is ironic that some educators view the use of computers in the classroom as sterile and impersonal. You might find this article on digital disruption in the classroom of interest. Today, we see digital technology as a powerful tool for rich learning in a highly personalized setting.
For more information about USDLA or upcoming events go to www.usdla.org.
Save the dates:
Presidential Forum – October 19th, 2016
National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) – November 7th -11th, 2016
International Forum for Women (IFWE) – November 30th – December 2, 2016
2017 USDLA National Conference – April 30 – May 2, 2017
Written by:
George Collins, USDLA President
Elaine Shuck, USDLA Chair of the Board
About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is a non-profit association formed in 1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The association reaches 20,000 people globally with sponsors and members operating in and influencing 46% of the $913 billion dollar U.S. education and training market. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. Distance learning and training constituencies served include pre-k-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling as well as business, corporate, military, government and telehealth markets. The USDLA trademarked logo is the recognized worldwide symbol of dedicated professionals committed to the distance learning industry. https://usdla.org .