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 Bronze Award for Best Practices for Distance Learning Programming was presented to Adam Peterson and Crystal Halley, JD of the University of Arkansas System eVersity for their work in developing an exemplary online course on the subject of Legal Research.

The Distance Learning Programming category considers both individual or a series of online courses or training modules. Each body of work is judged in regards to interactivity, design, use of technology, and assessment.

Ms. Harriet Watkins, the Director of Online Learning at the University of Arkansas System eVersity nominated the course for the award and stated, “This six-week innovative online undergraduate Criminal Justice Legal Research course, created by professor Crystal Halley, JD was produced using 100% open educational resources (OER). The course design encompasses interaction, collaboration, assessment, and learner support which are all hallmarks of an exemplary course. Engagement can be seen throughout the course with a good mix of activities to keep the students focused on the content. For example, the case file activity is interactive, enjoyable and engaging. The inclusion of external resources and multimedia resources embedded throughout the content help to round out the course.”

In a video describing the course, Adam Peterson, the Senior Instructional Designer, who worked with Dr. Halley to build the course, points to several of the strategies and design elements that keep the course learner-centered and remove barriers for the students. For example, emphasis is placed on consistency of design so that students can navigate content and course elements easily.  In order to reduce the cost to students, there is no textbook required.  Instead, students have access to open education resources at no cost.  In addition, careful attention is paid to delivering content in multiple formats to address the learning needs of individuals and ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

Check out these upcoming exciting USDLA events:

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 30^th year and promises to deliver an action-packed agenda that will bring together distance learning practitioners from across the country and around the world.

This blog post written by:

Randy McDonald, Ed. D

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.

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 21^st 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 21^st 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 30^th 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.

 

Having been around distance learning for the better part of 20 years, I’ve had the honor to meet colleagues from all around the world and watch how they’ve made a difference in student’s lives through the use of distance learning. Each year the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) recognizes the preeminent distance learning practitioners from around the world. I first met Greg Zorbas and Rob Sparks at the USDLA annual conference in the spring of 2016 as they were there as award recipients for what they called the ‘Classroom without walls” (CWOW) project.

The CWOW originated with three high school history teachers in a fairly modern but remote part of Alaska who, back in 2005, sought to collaborate. I was amazed to learn how resourceful these guys actually were; they took unused, obsolete Polycom video conferencing gear and built a distance learning network that would be operated by each of them. I recall the joke they told about working together they probably equaled one good teacher!

Teaching in Alaska is no easy feat; Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) spans more than 25,000 square miles – an area larger than the state of West Virginia. Some schools, small and separated by wilderness or seawater, are as much as three hours apart. All that distance makes collaboration among schools vital, but it also makes it extraordinarily difficult. After getting to know Greg and Rob it was obvious that they thrived on these types of challenges.

Like any good distance learning project they established a set of goals to increase student engagement through student-to-student collaboration, broadened learning opportunities and state-of-the-art tools.

They ultimately realized all of their goals using distance learning – the mastery of subject matter was enhanced, their students learning 21st century skills and they also found that even stodgy old teachers (themselves) could learn and grow, too. Just look at a group of students in Kenai connected with a partner classroom (actually a one-room schoolhouse) in Cooper Landing some 70 miles away. The power of distance learning!

Not being ones to standstill, the CWOW project continually evolves. Now in its eleventh year, a new selection of classes offer a certification program designed to help develop individuals who have a desire or need to understand the world of video conferencing & the impact the video solutions have in multiple industries.

The benefits of distance learning are numerous but one that truly sticks out for me is the ability for teachers to teach to their individual strengths, while simultaneously giving students the benefit of learning from content experts. This is not financially possible in most remote, rural locations and helps to provide the opportunity for small and remote schools to collaborate with larger more dynamic classrooms. Greg and Rob also encourage digital citizenship by educating students on the proper use of technology and research tools as well as on collaboration and videoconferencing etiquette (something many adults could benefit from as well!).

The CWOW has gone on to bring together schools and communities in Alaska as well as around the world. What started out as a bunch of guys breaking down the traditional classroom walls, has turned into a tower of teaching for the local community and state of Alaska.

See Greg and Rob’s dream in action at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUs5Yn_jNfA

Written by:

Pat Cassella, 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 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.

 

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.  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 GOLD winner in the category of Distance Learning Programming is the “t-MBA” or Teenager MBA Academic Program of Doga Schools. What is “DOGA”? Doga means “nature” in Turkish and the first Doga School was opened in Beykoz close to Istanbul. Currently there are nearly 100 schools in Turkey, over 20 of which are in Istanbul.  The Teenager MBA Academic Program of Doga Schools is this year’s proud USLDA GOLD Award winner in the category of online learning. Doga is a world changing International education model and t-MBA Digital is an online, gamified, personalized version of the Doga concept educational model.  It is personalized so that each user takes an enneagram personality test at the beginning of the process.  With the results of the test, t-MBA then allocates each user a personality type from their findings.  In turn, this produces a customized, gamified learning curriculum for each individual user.  It is gamified because users complete learning thru stories, badge earning, leadership points, endorsements, peer graded case studies and projects as well as video lectures by t-MBA experts and reference videos.  Through this system, t-MBA Digital is able to increase student engagement, interest, motivation, participation and encourage innovating, sharing and competing.

Sibil Solak, Department Manager of the t-MBA Program for Doga Schools in Turkey, shared with me “Doga is the biggest educational company of Turkey and teaches the Doga method from kindergarden to high school”. Kindergarden/primary Schools use a nature based educational concept, middle schools have a student oriented educational system and high schools use the t-MBA education model. I personally find this concept very impressive and firmly believe that the Doga method is producing citizens of the world!

Marci Powell, USDLA Chair Emerita and Past President states, “International recognition is well deserved for the significant work being done in Istanbul to engage secondary students. When looking for innovation in online learning worldwide, the t-MBA program is a testament to the power of gamified learning curriculum to teach teenagers the foundations of business.”

Please visit the t-MBA Digital website and checkout the video to learn more and for more information about Doga International Schools please visit: http://dogainternationalschools.com/en/

To meet more of the International leaders in Distance Learning please join us for IFWE: the International Forum for Women in eLearning! This USDLA signature event will be taking place November 30 – December 2, 2016 in San Antonio, TX. For more information please check out the agenda.

Written by:

Janet Major, 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 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 .

Photo by Tomorrow’s Treasures

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. 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 7^th -11^th, 2016

International Forum for Women (IFWE) – November 30^th – 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 .