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USDLA and Me:

Joining has been one of the best decisions of my entrepreneurial career

Blog written by Hope Katz Gibbs (USDLA Member & Guest Blogger) president and Founder
www.InkandescentLearning.com

When I first came up with the idea in the fall of 2017 to create ww.InkandescentLearning.com — a high-quality K-12 distance learning clearinghouse that connects master teachers with homeschool and public / private school families — I went searching for guidance.

As a journalist, owner of the PR and publishing firm www.InkandescentPR.com, and a serial entrepreneur with a masters degree in educational leadership, I knew I could make this idea work — if I could find the right people to help me understand the distance learning industry.

The first hit that popped up when I searched Google for distance learning was USDLA.org. After a quick look through the website, I put a call into the main office to learn more. Kimberly Airasian answered the phone, and during a friendly and informative 15-minute conversation, she provided answers to my many questions: Should I attend the upcoming conference? Should I join? Who were the other members? Was this a good investment for an entrepreneur looking to learn more about distance learning?

Kim likened the organization to a family of like-minded professionals looking to bring distance learning to as many people as possible. She thought I’d fit right in, and convinced me that attending the 2018 National Conference https://usdla.org/2018-national-conference/, which included a year of membership, was worth the investment.

When I arrived on April 29 at the Hilton in Indianapolis, I knew I had made the right decision. Not only did I meet a group of very friendly, high-educated professionals at a cocktail party that first evening — I was optimistic that I was about to learn something essential for the growth of my business.

But here’s the rub: While I found several of the keynote speakers and workshops interesting (who doesn’t love to learn about the future of education), I discovered that my area of interest — entrepreneurship, and K-12 distance learning — wasn’t the focus of any of the presentations.

When I asked the conference organizers for guidance, they did their best to match me with the presenters who might offer assistance. I never did find a direct hit at any of the workshops. But I knew that while my big business idea might be an outlier — this was a group worth continuing to explore.

So I volunteered to join the marketing committee for the 2019 national conference, and also signed up to attend the organization’s International Forum for Women in E-Learning (IFWE) the following November. I am so glad that I did.

IFWE was perhaps the best women’s conference I’ve ever been to. Full of fascinating, highly educated women, everyone I met was eager to share their knowledge and experience (personal, as well as professional). The schedule of events flowed seamlessly, the keynotes were inspirational, and the Hotel Contessa where we stayed along San Antonio’s charming Riverwalk, provided a luxurious backdrop. I bunked with two new USLDA friends, Rhonda Blackburn and Georgiana Laws, which made the trip truly pleasurable.

Perhaps best of all — at this conference I attended several workshops that provided essential information for my project. Special thanks to Kristin Deprospero of Solutionz, Inc. for her talk about finding funding and grants.

Also helpful was that I was accepted to present two posters about my project — the K-12 academic platform, www.InkandescentLearning.com, and the magazine for kids, by kids, about kids that we’ll be launching this spring to teach students to think like reporters: www.InkandescentKids.com.

Dozens of fellow-attendees stopped by my section of the table to explore more — and that was a win that inspired me to craft a proposal to create a workshop about my project for the 2019 conference in Nashville.

Plus, I have been invited to share my experience as a Kundalini yoga instructor and teach a movement class that will focus on expanding your creativity on Tuesday morning, May 21 (6-7am). What fun!

As I continue to explore the many opportunities that working with USDLA provides, what impresses me most is the kindness, professional caliber, and intellectual curiosity of my fellow members and the leadership team. While I do hope USDLA expands its outreach to include more entrepreneurs and K-12 educators, I know that I have found an organization that shares my values and interests. Kim was right. I am very happy to be part of the USDLA family.

USDLA 2019 Keynote: Jonathan Linkous

Blog written by Janet Major
USDLA Board Member, President Elect

Associate Director Facilities
Arizona Telemedicine Program
Arizona Health Sciences Center
Tucson, AZ

Many of you know him as the man who helped build and served as the founding CEO for the American Telemedicine Association for over 20 years.  Or the man who is the CEO of an organization that is transforming healthcare.  www.pathhealth.com His current goal? To do for AI and related technologies in healthcare what was achieved for telemedicine.

The first time I met Jon Linkous it was at THE conference of the year for anyone in the videoconferencing or telemedicine industry: Telecon in 1997.  (See photo) As the conference grew it became Telecon West and Telecon East – and at the heart of that organization was OUR organization: The United States Distance Learning Association where we produced an annual conference for twenty years in partnership with TELECON and TeleMed, the organization which then later became ATA: the American Telemedicine Association. www.americantelemed.org

This conference is where I also met John Flores, who went on to be the CEO for USDLA for over 20 years.  USDLA has now been the leader in distance learning for over thirty years. www.usdla.org

AI was founded as an academic discipline in 1956 and it has gained more popularity in recent years as computers and data have advanced along with theoretical understanding of the concept.  According to Mr Linkous, unknown to many consumers, their lives are already dependent on the use of AI and the fact is that the current state of our industry – and really any business – is now focused on the integration of AI or Artificial Intelligence.  21st Century technology is finally making headway and is transforming traditional approaches to a truly whole new world of innovation. The challenge before us is to successfully integrate AI with telehealth, robotics and other technologies.  

Join us to hear more about what is and what will be in the world of AI as we celebrate our USDLA 2019 Conference, “In tune with The Future of Digital & Distance Learning”! We will be in Music City, Nashville, May 20 – 23 with a great kick-off keynote by Jon Linkous titled, “”21st Century Technology and Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare & Education: the Future is NOW!”
https://usdla.org/2019-national-conference/

More about Jonathan Linkous – Jonathan D. Linkous, MPA, FATA

CEO – PATH, the Partnership for Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Robotics in Healthcare www.pathhealth.com Editor-in-Chief  – Healthcare Transformation Journal http://home.liebertpub.com/ht/ CEO – Linkous Health www.linkoushealth.com

Mr. Linkous holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the School of Government and Public Affairs at the American University in Washington, D.C with additional postgraduate work at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Public Executive Institute at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas.

Janet is the immediate past Chair for the Health, Technology & Distance Learning Special Interest Group of the American Telemedicine Association and she is an Associate Board Member of ATIC: the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council.  For the past several years she has also served on the board of the United States Distance Learning Association representing the telehealth constituency and is currently its President-elect. 

A ‘Must Hear’ Keynote!


Blog written By Dean Hoke, Managing Partner of Edu Alliance Group & Member of the USDLA Board of Directors

In November of 2018 I was invited to represent the USDLA as a panelist addressing the question “What is the Future? How do You Make it Happen” at Corporate Learning Week Conference held in Orlando, Florida. Rather than just participate in my panel I wanted to take advantage of the conference and listen to the many fine speakers addressing various training issues. One speaker particularly impressed me. At the USDLA Board Meeting when we were discussing potential keynote speakers for the upcoming Annual Conference on May 20-23 being held in Nashville, Tennessee. I recommended Dr. Trish Holliday. Dr. Holliday is the Chief Learning Officer for the state of Tennessee, and she spoke on “Preparing for the Future – How Learning Can Be a Cultural Divider.” What got my attention about Trish was her passion helping professionals reach their greatest potential.

2019 USDLA Conference
Dr. Trish Holliday
Keynote Speaker

The title of Chief Learning Officer (CLO) is popularly defined as the highest-ranking corporate officer in charge of learning management. The CLO instead of trying to solve individual problems is to take a bigger picture view of their organization. The CLO develops a vision of learning for the entire organization. In 1989 Jack Welch then CEO of General Electric was one of the first major corporations to name a CLO (Steve Kerr). Since then Corporate American has had a number of CLO’s but in higher education, there are very few, and in government there are none.

That changed in April 2012 when the state of Tennessee set a new priority for learning for its approximately 43,500 employees in the three branches of government by naming Dr. Holliday its first Chief Learning Officer. She was not only the first person named CLO for the state of Tennessee but the first CLO for any state government. Trish had been a member of state government working in various positions since 2005. She started as a Training Officer for the Human Resources then named in 2010 the Director of Strategic Learning Solutions in 2010 and in 2012 has appointed to her current post as Assistant Commissioner of Human Resourcesand CLO.

I believe why she was appointed to her post, besides her obvious talent and experience, is Trish brings enthusiasm and passion for training, coaching, and retention. She is a true believer. You can see and hear this when she speaks. Trish has a passion for lifelong learning, and she has been successful in mentoring and coaching many leaders in engagement, goal setting, competency, and strategic development. She puts her heart and soul into educating adults and helping them become the best they can be.

Trish has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Tennessee Tech University, her Masters of Arts from Scarritt Graduate College and her Doctor of Education from Lipscomb University with an Emphasis in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change.

I think attending the USDLA Annual Conference in Nashville is well worth your time and investment. You can learn many new ideas in the field of online learning no matter the industry, get the opportunity to meet new people, network, and while attending I would highly encourage to hear Dr. Holliday as she talks about learning.  I was impressed, and I believe you will be as well.  

Top Ten Reasons to Attend the 2019 USDLA Conference

Blog Written by Elaine Shuck, USDLA Board Member

Nashville, TN

#1 Location, location, location.
This year’s event will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, best known for Nashville, country music and the Grand Ole Opry.  So, come and discover Nashville with your distance learning friends!

#2 Unmatched value.
I don’t know about you, but I go to a lot of conferences touching on education and training.  Well, this conference is different.  We’re the U.S. Distance Learning Association and here you have the entire spectrum of DL professionals learning from and sharing with each other.  Amazing things happen when you can learn from a community that is broader than your own.  You won’t find an event that offers this much content: stellar keynotes, first-rate presenters, an amazing array of distance learning exhibitors, and the best of the best, the winners of the prestigious USDLA Awards.

Take a look at the 2018 WINNERS!

#3 Network and connect.
At our conference, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with professionals spread across the country and around the world.  We are a passionate community of interests focused on distance learning in all its forms.  We work in K-20 education, corporate and government training and telemedicine.  You’ll return home equipped with new plans, tips, and tools to make a difference in your organization.

#4 Thirtysome years in distance learning.
One of the things that makes USDLA helpful and attractive to me is perspective.  Regardless of the constituency I’m engaged with and the media I use, I find I learn amazing lessons from those in other distance learning fields.

#5 Value for the money.
With a 4-day intensive conference schedule, you will access strategic knowledge and expertise that’s worth its weight in gold from an impressive array of recognized professionals.

#6 Be a part of the movement.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join professionals that have the vision, knowledge and experience to help us “Keep in Tune with the Future of Digital/Distance Learning.” Join us at the USDLA 2019 National Conference, May 20th – May 23rd in Nashville.  Learn more and register today.

#7 Mobile/Round Table Dinners.
Join us for a night on the town with your colleagues and board members to learn about the latest hot topics and about the association.

#8 Pre-Conference Workshops.
Join us for one Pre-Conference Workshop on Monday.  Learn more and register today!!

#9 USDLA membership opportunities.
Remember our invitation: “Come learn from a community that is broader than your own. Whatever your learning specialty, welcome home!” Join USDLA today!!

#10 Have FUN!
We understand the importance of social events.  That’s why we planned several to engage in some friendly conversations.  Whether attending the evening events, the annual memorial run/walk, or participating in the morning yoga.

DL Networking Harmony in Nashville: Join us for the 2019 USDLA National Conference

Blog Written by Pat Cassella, President, U.S. Distance Learning Association

This will be the 32nd year of the United States Distance Learning Association and our first conference ever in Music City.

Much like Digital and Distance Learning has been the fabric of our Association, music has long been the common thread in Nashville, connecting people to both the life and soul of the city in cultural, business and social capacity.

I recently visited the Hilton Airport Nashville, the site of our 2019 conference, to get a first hand look at the layout, meet the staff and best understand how to leverage the location for four days in May.

Upon meeting Keith Glad, Hilton Manager, I immediately felt at home and a strong connection. Keith waked me through each of the 6 rooms where we will hold our concurrent sessions, introduced me to supporting staff, explained the history of the hotel (it was an old Holiday Inn just a couple of years ago) and showed me the ballroom where we will have our keynotes and Awards dinner. Once business was finished, we continued the bonding over a great meal at the on-site restaurant, complete with a glass (or two) of wine.  

As I reflect upon the visit, it’s this type of connection that many attendees over the years have told me they felt with their peers upon attending their first (or tenth) USDLA conference. In fact, when we poll attendees after the conference, they indicate that networking is one of the primary reasons for attending and that the intimate, family environment is hard to find in other conferences they attend in the DL space.   

This year we are committed to continuing this trend of quality networking along with some new and exciting topics within the AI (Artificial Intelligence) space and how this is currently (and will continue to) impact the world of digital and distance learning. The three keynote speakers we have signed on will bring significant experience to the conference, yet are all very approachable for small group and personal conversations regarding AI, Mixed Reality, IoT (Internet of Things) and other 21st century learning topics.

To keep your mind and body in balance, we also have a variety of events planned! We kick off Monday night with a nice opening reception, complete with a local musician. Tuesday morning, we will keep you in shape with a Yoga class, courtesy of Hope Gibbs, a very talented Kundalini yoga instructor and entrepreneur while the evening round table dinners will allow you to network with your peers on Broadway with courtesy (free) roundtrip transportation. Wednesday morning, we will meet in the lobby at 6AM for a nice walk/jog/run to celebrate the life of Bill Jackson, past USDLA President and friend who left us all too early followed by an incredible evening of Award presentations to those who have made significant achievements within DL community.

I hope you share my excitement and I’d be honored to have you at the conference this May 21st-24th in Nashville. Visit https://usdla.org/2019-national-conference/ to learn more.