This blog post written by:

Janet Major
USDLA Board Member
Associate Director Facilities
Arizona Telemedicine Program
Arizona Health Sciences Center,  Tucson, AZ

 

What’s Telehealth? According to Wikipedia: Telehealth involves the distribution of health-related services and information. Distribution is via electronic information and telecommunication technologies. Telemedicine is defined as the use of telecommunication and information technology to provide clinical health care from a distance.  Great definitions – and I agree!

I personally prefer the word “telehealth” much more than “telemedicine” – and here’s why: for over twenty years I have had the greatest job on the planet!  I make telehealth happen – and connect folks at a distance for medical services and for education. I connect patients to their healthcare providers, medical students to their mentors – and I connect our teachers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine to their peers AND their students all over Arizona… and the world! 

Telehealth is not simply medicine at a distance but there is so much more that we are doing at a distance to help improve the health of our community, our country and the world.  It takes technology, telecommunications connectivity and some great best practice protocols to do this important job. 

I have also had the great opportunity to network with my peers in the United States Distance Learning Association and the American Telemedicine Association to share presentations, best practices and what’s happening in the world of distance learning with the many applications in telehealth. Every year at the annual USDLA conference I meet more professionals in my field who are doing some amazing things in the world of telehealth.  I have met mid-wives who produce online courses for their peers in New Zealand.  I have also met folks who are doing tele-pharmacy and not only providing their patients medication at a convenient location but also offering a visit with the pharmacist just as you would get if you went to your local pharmacy in the big city. Last year @USDLA 2016 we shared best practice protocols that are enhancing professional education among health science centers across the country.  Distance learning is a format that is becoming a requirement for our academic health centers as we produce interactive events to prepare our students and communities for emergency preparedness and flu epidemic exercises.  This is more than a trend – it’s our future.  Connecting people to healthcare and health education at a distance is a critical part of the future of our planet.  It’s no longer just as a matter of convenience or accessing experts at a distance, it’s a much more efficient way to get the job done – and it’s GREEN! In addition, we are  improving the health of our PLANET by not driving for services, training and education that, instead,  be done from a distance. 

Please join me in Indianapolis to hear more and share information about Distance Learning in Telehealth!

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.

*Click here for more information about this USDLA signature event.

Join the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)

www.usdla.org

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.

USDLA: Driving 30 Years of Excellence in Distance Learning
April 30 – May 3
https://usdlastaging.wpengine.com/events/2017-national-conference/

 

 

This blog was written by Michael Baker – #32 in the picture!

Recently, I was asked to write some thoughts about my experiences and memories of the United States Distance Learning Association.  I had the honor of voluntarily serving on the Board of Directors and executive team for over 24 years.  As it turned out…it was the best team of professionals, the hardest working volunteers, the best management team and the most fun I had as a board member on any association board.

My memories include two-day meetings trying to determine if it would be US “Distant” Learning Association or US “Distance” Learning  Association. From “inclusion and diversity” to some pretty interesting arguments (disagreements) on policy and direction between two very vocal board members.  My time as president was challenging and exciting as I had to fight with the then executive director on direction and policy of USDLA.

The best part of the 24 years included getting Darcy involved …getting calls from Don Foshee starting off with “Mikee”…the many challenges in growing the association …seeing the organization grow through a very difficult transitional times …but most of all, I am proud to have some of the best friends in my life from my time at USDLA. USDLA would not exist if it were not for John Flores. He is a true friend of mine and a friend of education as a whole. Of course, his team at headquarters is magnificent.

As USDLA celebrates their 30^th year I challenge you all to think out of the box in growing the association, its membership and credibility in the distance learning market.  I will never forget you all and wish you continued success for the next 30 years.

God Bless,
Michael Baker
Vice President, VDO360

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.

*Click here for more information about this USDLA signature event.

Join the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)

www.usdla.org

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.

 

This blog post written by:
Linda Dickeson
USDLA Chair of State Chapters

 

 

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is committed to being the leading distance learning association in the United States, and its mission is to serve the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity.  

New to USDLA annual conference, held April 30–May 3 in Indianapolis, will be the opportunity for K–12 Attendees to receive proof of attendance for professional growth points. Each hour-long breakout session is good for one point, and adding a preconference three-hour workshop would be worth three additional points. 

There are two great options for K–12 Educators to attend in person:

• A special two-day attendance option (Sunday & Monday) allows attendees to participate in a three-hour preconference workshop on Sunday, followed by all day Monday attendance with a special K–12 strand of four breakout sessions (other sessions also available as options). Seven professional growth points for the two-day attendance package would be possible. The special rate for this option is $200 (does not include the Monday evening awards banquet).
• K–12 Educators may also opt to attend all three days of the conference for the possibility of attending ten breakout sessions (ten points) with the possible addition of a three-hour preconference workshop on Sunday (three points).

Register Now!!! 

Attendee will have an easy-to-use form where they simply enter each session they attend and get the session presenter to sign it at the close of the session. Before they leave the conference, they take the sheet to the USDLA registration desk where it will be validated and their Professional Growth Points certificate will be awarded. 

The process will be so easy and add even more value to your conference experience. Please join us in Indianapolis!

Please contact Patricia Marcelonis for more information about registering for the special K-12 two-day rate.

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.

*Click here for more information about this USDLA signature event.

Join the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)

www.usdla.org

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.

 

 

 

 

Samantha Penney
USDLA Board Member
Director of Distance Education
Indiana State Online

 

For more than a century, Indianapolis has been famous as the site of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” – the Indy 500.  In 2017 the city adds another important event to its calendar:  The USDLA National Conference!  Running from April 30^th to May 3^rd, the conference is the premier gathering of distance learning professionals in the world. 

Indianapolis used to have a sleepy, roll-up-the-sidewalks-at-night kind of reputation.  No longer.   The travel guide site Lonely Planet terms Indy as “America’s most surprising city.”   It is now known as a friendly, approachable city with a vibrant cultural community, urban walking trails in all directions, and world class cuisine that holds its own with anyone. 

Our National Conference venue is located in the block between the State Capitol building and Monument Circle – the heart of downtown.  Below are some things you may found interesting, all pretty much within easy walking distance of the conference venue.

History buffs

Check out the Indiana State Museum in White River State Park just .7 of a mile away about a 14 minute walk. The museum is located at 650 W. Washington St. They have way more in the museum than just things on Lincoln. Check out the current exhibits on Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters or Ice Age Graveyards.

Another spot about 1.5 miles away, 30 minutes walking, is Benjamin Harrison’s Presidential Site. The home of the 23^rd president and a National Historic Landmark. This artful Victorian home is currently exhibiting a display on Presidential Pets.

Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C. for the number of war memorials that honor our nation’s fallen. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is only a 3 minute walk from the hotel.

Food and other

City Market is at 222 E. Market St. only a 10 minute walk from the hotel. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and has over 30 local artisan booths. Great place to pick up a gift and grab a bit to eat.

Indy also has a lot of great restaurants. Here are a few within a 15 minute walk of the hotel.

• Bru Burger – 410 Massachusetts Ave. It’s a great place to grab a burger (anything from veggie to ahi tuna) and a beer. Check it out if you are craving a great gourmet chef burger.
• Scotty’s Brewhouse on 1 Virginia Ave. It’s a local sports bar that made the top 25 restaurants in Indy. They are known for their 7 Tidals Buffalo Chicken Dip, their burgers and their local beer.
• Café Patachou on 225 West Washington Street.  This is a great farm to table restaurant and the food is marvelous. The breakfast is great but so is everything else.
• St. Elmo’s Steak house is on 127 S. Illinois St.  It was founded in 1902 and named for the patron saint for sailors. It has a national reputation for exceptional food and wine (20,000 bottle wine cellar). They are known for their navy bean soup, their famous steaks and fabulous shrimp cocktail.
• 1933 Lounge is on the second floor of St. Elmo’s Steak House.  They have some great cocktails and ambiance.
• Napolese Pizzeria on 30 S. Meridian St. . They have amazing pizza. They cater to all types including gluten free. Their menu is ever changing but always great. You really have to try their Margherita pizza, you can get it regular, buffalo, with quail eggs or with a whole egg.
• Ball & Biscuit on 331 Massachusetts Ave.  It is a speak-easy style pub for prohibition cocktails with a tapas menu. It is a favored gathering place. It also topped Esquire Magazine’s “America’s Best Bars”.

Family

White River State Park is America’s only urban state park. It includes several museums including the Indiana State Museum and the Eitelijorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. It is also home to the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens. Most of the museums are within walking distance of about a mile or less.  If you are walking prepare to walk a bit as the park is over 250 acres.

If you have a car or can take a taxi,  check out the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is within a 10 minute drive. They have one of the largest collections of adult and juvenile dinosaur fossils. They also have Dale Chihuly’s 43 foot tall Fireworks of Glass sculpture. The address is 3000 N. Meridian St.

Here are the other reasons to attend the 2017 USDLA Conference

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.

*Click here for more information about this USDLA signature event.

Join the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)

www.usdla.org

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.

 

This blog post written by:
Linda Dickeson
USDLA Chair of State Chapters

 

I’m new to the position of USDLA Chair of State Chapters this year, and am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to work with and get to know the outstanding leaders in distance learning organizations throughout the nation. Many of the State Chapter leaders have a long history in the field of distance learning and provide such valuable insight and expertise to USDLA, which is especially valued as we celebrate USDLA’s 30^th anniversary.

USDLA State Chapters represent local organizations of the national association and support the promotion, development, and application of distance learning for educating and training. Many State Chapters host local and regional events of great value for distance learning professionals, including: webinars, symposiums, luncheons, workshops and conferences. Some also host social media sites (like Facebook), or provide digital newsletters to connect their members throughout the year.

Members of a USDLA State Chapter are considered associate members of USDLA with many of the same benefits as individual or institutional members, including:

– Access to industry leaders within Education, Corporate, Healthcare and Military

– Industry updates on the latest teaching, learning and technology trends

– Online research library—reports, journals, articles

– Members-only webinars focused on community best practices

– Personalized USDLA Connect! social networking account

– National legislative representation in Washington, DC

– Networking opportunities with USDLA Board members

– Industry job postings

– Member networking with other Distance Learning and Telehealth professionals

– Discounts for USDLA events

Leaders of State Chapters meet monthly with the USDLA Chair of State Chapters to promote camaraderie and sharing of ideas and resources, and to provide updates about what is happening with distance learning in their state. Chapter leaders can also attend a pre-conference workshop at the USDLA annual conference to network, share, plan and learn from each other. These opportunities help to provide momentum and energy for leaders to take back to their organizations.

Are you a member of a USDLA State Chapter? Does your state have a USDLA State Chapter? See contact information for each state at this web page (https://usdlastaging.wpengine.com/chapters/chapter-members) or contact me, Linda Dickeson, USDLA Chair of State Chapters (ldickes@lps.org) for more information.