Each year the United States Distance 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. Our USDLA blog will be featuring a different 2016 USDLA Award Winner over the next several months.
USDLA’s 2016 Platinum-level Best Practices Award for Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching was presented to Jenna Ellis, a teacher at Mountain Heights Academy of West Jordan, Utah for her use of Online Technology in K-12 Education.
Jenna and her colleagues first earned statewide distinction for putting together the best of traditional teaching methods with 21st century learning practices to help advance this charter school’s students in grades 7-12. Their mission was to exceed the educational objectives by go beyond academic success to prepare them to excel in the 21st century global workforce.
Jenna initially designed courses for English 8, English 8 Honors. Of note was a Leadership/Peer Monitoring course, which has become a cornerstone element for all students enrolled at Mountain Heights. Jenna now works with colleagues to develop instructional blueprints for courses across the school’s curriculum.
Important to Mountain Heights Academy’s success is Jenna’s commitment to the idea that the use of technology in the classroom does not eliminate or reduce the need for teachers and instructional strategies. Instead, a variety of open source tools are used in conjunction with interactive technologies to provide personalized learning experiences for each student while meeting state standards.
Jenna’s courses feature opportunities for teachers to interact with students individually or in groups via video calls, online chat, or phone providing the option of reviewing work and assignments in both synchronous/asynchronous modes. This allows some course participants to advance through their work as quickly as they want to and are able to. Also, teachers can provide extra time to students who may need help. Jenna incorporates interactive activities such as student-annotated text and gamification of subject matter to encourage peer-to-peer learning and student collaboration.
Central to the success Jenna and her colleagues have experienced at Mountain Heights is the idea that “expectations yield expectations.” Not only are course requirements specified at the beginning of each course, but also for behavior online and student collaborations to insure safe learning environments for each class participant.
For a detailed look of how Jenna and her colleagues create innovative blueprints for student success you can check out Jenna’s presentation online by clicking here.
Also, be sure to look at this short video to learn more about Mountain Heights Academy.
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”.
Check out these upcoming exciting USDLA events:
National Distance Learning Week (NDLW)
November 7-11, 2016.
During NDLW, all USDLA sectors including Pre-K-12, Higher Education, Corporate, Government/Military and Telehealth will educate their constituents on the amazing growth in distance learning and showcase their accomplishments.
*For more information about this USDLA signature event, check out the agenda.
IFWE: The International Forum for Women in eLearning
November 30 – December 2, 2016 in San Antonio, TX.
USDLA is proud to present IFWE every two years, recognizing the role of women leaders in the field of eLearning. IFWE includes open discussions, a voicing of ideas, and presentations that include audience participation. IFWE is designed to tap into the resources of the attendees as well as other experts in their profession.
*For more information about this USDLA signature event, check out the agenda.
USDLA 2017 National Conference
April 30 – May 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN
The USDLA 2017 National Conference is the premier event for professionals in the distance learning industry. This year’s conference celebrates USDLA’s 30th year and promises to deliver an action-packed agenda that will bring together distance learning practitioners from across the country and around the world.
*For more information about this USDLA signature event, click here.
Written by:
Van L. Bridgeman, USDLA Board Member
About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is a non-profit association formed in 1987 with headquarters 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.