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 .

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 22 and 23, the United States Distance Learning Board of Directors met in Greenville, South Carolina, for the Fall Board Meeting. Highlights included reports from committees, discussion of National Distance Learning Week, and a review of the new USDLA.org website.

A theme throughout the meeting was finding additional ways to add value for Association members and sponsors.  The Board is slated to have a virtual meeting in January 2016 and then a face-to-face Board meeting is slated for May 9, 2016 in St. Louis.  The May meeting will be held in conjunction with the annual Membership Meeting and the National Conference at the Hilton / St Louis at the Ballpark Hotel.

Photos by Janet Major, USDLA Board of Directors

How can specific mobile apps support and enhance online courses? From LMS apps, organizational apps, and university apps to apps specifically design to support a unique course, explore the variety of ways mobile learning can enhance online learning.

This cross listed blog post shares links and resources for using mobile apps in three areas of online learning: Learning, Connection to the University, School or Organization, and Connection to the Instructor.

Learning

• Responsive design of your LMS
• LMS Mobile version:
  • Blackboard Mobile Learner
  • Canvas
  • Moodle Mobile, etc.
• Teaching students tools to help them stay organized, for example:
  • myHomework Student Planner
  • Evernote
  • Easy Bib
• Group interaction supported by mobile apps such as:
  • Facebook closed groups
  • Evernote collaborative notebooks
  • Groupboard
  • GoogleDrive
• Twitter for reporting in activities for jogging class
• Poll everywhere for polling in class students and online students; can embed in your LMS content as well
• Practice apps such as:
  • Kaplan Financial Practice App
  • Medical Terms
  • Anatomy Word Search
  • Exam Vocabulary Builder
• Quizlet to create your own practice for students or for students to create their own
• Apps that teach such as:
  • Duolingo for languages
  • 2 Minute English
  • Real Business English
  • Craftsy
• Students creating projects on their phone
  • Creating ads in a marketing class
  • Sharing a video introduction of themselves
  • Recording a skit on their cell phone
  • iPadio: phone in and record audio up to 60 minutes

Connection to your University, School or Organization

• Most university apps have calendars, catalogs, news, etc. Some examples:
  • iSheffield School of Aeronautics
  • HawkTools
  • Hello App Camp from Drake University
  • My ATSU Mobile
  • Apps that help students live around campus:
    • Bongo for bus schedule
    • Park Mobile for campus parking
    • University of Iowa Residence Hall Laundry app
  • What about online learners? Should we have apps that do special things for online learners? Should there be a separate app for on campus students and a different one for online students?
  • Athletics apps:
    • Hawkeye Sports Gameday Live
    • DU Bulldogs
    • Do online learners feel connected to the sports teams of their institution?

Connection to the Instructor

• Videoconferencing apps such as:
  • Skype
  • Zoom, etc.
  • Students can schedule one-on-one with the instructor; or attend class via their mobile device
• Texting students reminders:
  • WhatsApp
  • Remind.com
• Deliver content via apps such as iTunes U, YouTube, etc.

Additional Reading

• Aderinoye, R., Ojokheta, K., & Olojede, A. (2007). Integrating Mobile Learning into Nomadic Education Programme in Nigeria: Issues and perspectives. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 8(2). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/347/919
• Ally, M., & Samaka, M. (2013). Open education resources and mobile technology to narrow the learning divide. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 14(2), 14-27. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1530/2479
• Han, I., & Han, S. (2014). Adoption of the mobile campus in a cyber university. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 15(6). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1950/3132
• Hsu, Y., & Ching, Y. (2012). Mobile microblogging: Using Twitter and mobile devices in an online course to promote learning in authentic contexts. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 13(4), 211-227. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1222/2313
• Iqbal, S., & Qureshi, I. (2012). M-learning adoption: A perspective from a developing country. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 13(3), 147-164. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1152/2213
• Kenny, R., Van Neste-Kenny, J., Burton, P., Park, C., & Qayyum, A. (2012). Using self-efficacy to assess the readiness of nursing educators and students for mobile learning. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 13(3), 277-296. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1221/2261
• Ozdamar Keskin, N., & Kuzu, A. (2015). Development and testing of a m-learning system for the professional development of academics through design-based action research. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 16(1). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1613/3194
• Park, Y. (2011). A pedagogical framework for mobile learning: Categorizing educational applications of mobile technologies into four types. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 12(2), 78-102. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/791/1699
• Shin, W., & Kang, M. (2015). The use of a mobile learning management system at an online university and its effect on learning satisfaction and achievement. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 16(3). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1984/3345
• Young, S., & Hung, H. (2014). Coping with the challenges of open online education in Chinese societies in the mobile era: NTHU OCW as a case study. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 15(3). Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1742/2908

Author: Janine Lim, Associate Dean for Online Higher Education, Andrews University; Janine serves on the USDLA Board of Directors. Read more on her blog.