Reggie

USDLA

• Founded in 1987 as the first nonprofit distance learning association in the United States to support distance learning research, development and praxis 
• 5,000 members, state chapters, global partners
• Global Partners – 
  • European Distance and Elearning Network (EDEN), Brazilian Association for Distance Education (ABED), International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)…And more

Distance learning includes e-learning, texting, social networking, virtual worlds, game-based learning, webinars. It’s the Internet. It’s Google. It’s broadband and satellite and cable and wireless. Corporate universities. Virtual universities. Blended learning, mobile learning. It’s using our phones and computers and whatever technology comes next, in new ways. 

DURING COVID

• Launched Resource Page 
• First Virtual Town Hall for Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs)
• Webinars each Friday on a range of topics
• Publication outreach – USA Today, USNEWS & World Report, TEDx, our own publication
• Our own Virtual Conference
• National Distance Learning Week – November
• International Forum for Women in E-Learning (IFWE)

ACCREDIDATION / CERTIFICTION 

• Accreditation is meant to protect students, schools, and employers.” 
  • If a college/university is accredited by one of the following regional accrediting agencies, a prospective student can be assured that the institution is eligible for federal student loans and that credits are transferable among institutions.
• USDLA Quality Standards Certification
  • USDLA certifies institutions and educational providers who meet its Quality Standards for distance learning.  The approximately 91 standards highlight best practices at all levels of education and training and are adaptable to a variety of needs and situations.

FUTURE:

• # 1 Safety of students, faculty and staff
• Price point for an education
• Open Education Resources (OERs) – Merlot / Skillscommon – Dr. Hanley
• Example Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) initiatives with Dr. Melton and Dr. McSwain
  • locate free quality online learning materials
  • lower the cost of attending college
  • improve the learning experience by offering rich educational materials at the point of need
• Blended learning going forward to offer the best of face-to-face and virtual

POLICY 

• Accreditation/certification/Quality
• Broadband
• Cyber Security
• Assessment / Outcomes 
• State Reciprocity – NC-SARA