USDLA has been a leading hub for distance learning resources and research for over 30 years, providing self-service access to comprehensive data while encouraging community contributions.

For nearly four decades, USDLA has been a key contributor for all aspects of distance learning. In those early years, distance learning practitioners were too often regarded as a curiosity, at best. That, of course, has changed. No small portion of the credit for this shift is due to researchers who collected data that might both improve our methodologies and inform the public, educational providers and consumers alike, on the benefits of technology-driven education.

 

Current data along with certain landmark studies are available through the links below. We have curated the links in this way to streamline our interface and to enhance the accessibility of our most current data. If you are aware of distance-learning resources which we have overlooked, we encourage you to send us your suggestions at research@usdla.org.

Research Resources


The Ultimate AI Educational Guide

Artificial Intelligence Research

AI in Education Conference

AI/IA Chart

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work

Quarterly Policy Review Fall 2024

AI in Higher Ed: Hype, Harm, or Help

World Economic Forum AI in workplace report

UN Report for Governing AI for Humanity

Is you AI Policy Already Obsolete?

Innovative Future Concepts for Higher Education

Teachers Involvement with AI in the Classroom

CRPE’s Thinking Forward on AI Forum

Iowa Rolls out AI Tutors

Advice for Generative AI in HE

University Policies for generative AI

The Role of AI in Decision-Making: A Business Leader’s Guide

College Education may not be Preparing Students for G-AI

Leading the AI Revolution in HBCU

Call for partnerships between corporations, government and higher ed on AI

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations

Designing for Education with Artificial Intelligence: An Essential Guide for Developers

EU Artificial Intelligence Act

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/04/skill-building-age-of-ai/

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-04-10-ai-guidelines-for-k-12-aim-to-bring-order-to-the-wild-west

https://mashable.com/article/eu-ai-law

https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/blog/how-to-use-generative-artificial-intelligence-in-primary-education-inputs-for-policy-makers/107010639

https://www.govtech.com/artificial-intelligence/virginia-governor-signs-another-executive-order-on-ai

https://apnews.com/article/idaho-university-of-phoenix-acquisition-323c3760e773e127dc77aafcbd136614

Iowa Educators and Students Find Growing Use Cases for AI

Education Transformation/Innovation

*Download: http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2017-nmc-horizon-report-he-EN.pdf

  • Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2017). NMC/CoSN Horizon Report: 2017 K-12 Edition

*Download: https://cdn.nmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017-nmc-cosn-horizon-report-K12-advance.pdf

  • Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Cummins, M., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A., & HHHHall, C. (2016). NMC Horizon Report: 2016 Higher Education Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

*Download: http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2016-nmc-horizon-report-he-EN.pdf

  • Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2015). NMC Horizon Report: 2015 K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.NMC Horizon Report-2015 K-12 Edition

*Download: http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2015-nmc-horizon-report-k12-EN.pdf

  • Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2015). NMC Horizon Report: 2015 Higher Education Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

*Download: http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2015-nmc-horizon-report-HE-EN.pdf Johnson, L., Adams

  • Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2014). NMC Horizon Report: 2014 K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.NMC Horizon Report-2014 K-12 Edition

*Download: http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2014-nmc-horizon-report-k12-EN.pdf

  • Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., Freeman, A. (2014). NMC Horizon Report: 2014 Higher Education Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

Download: http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2014-nmc-horizon-report-he-EN.pdf

  • Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Cummins, M., Estrada, V., Freeman, A., and Ludgate, H. (2013). The NMC Horizon Report: 2013 Higher Education Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

*Download: http://www.nmc.org/system/files/pubs/1360189731/2013-horizon-report-HE.pdf

  • Keeping Pace with K-12 digital learning: An Annual Review of Policy and Practice (2014)

*Download: http://www.kpk12.com/wp-content/uploads/EEG_KP2014-fnl-lr.pdf

  • Keeping Pace with K-12 online and blended learning: An Annual Review of Policy and Practice (2013)

*Download: http://www.kpk12.com/wp-content/uploads/EEG_KP2013-lr.pdf

Distance Learning/Online/e-Learning Effectiveness

  • The Digital Revolution and Higher Education, 2011, Pew Research Center, Washington, D.C

Download: http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media//Files/Reports/2011/PIP-Online-Learning.pdf

  • Mickey Shachar, M., & Neumann, Y. (2010) Years of Research on the Academic Performance Differences Between Traditional and Distance Learning: Summative Meta-Analysis and Trend Examination. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching Vol. 6, No. 2, June 2010

Download: http://significantfederation.com/eblast/2010.06.21/landing/20_Years_of_Research_Differences_Between_Traditional_and_Distance_Learning.pdf

  • S. Department of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies, Washington, D.C., 2010.

* Download: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf

Indicates public domain, no copyright, or no redistribution restrictions under Creative Commons licensing

OER Around the World

Be Proud You Teach Online

Distance Learning

*Download: https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2017/2017144.pdf

  • THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF ONLINE EDUCATION (CHLOE). Legon, R., & Garrett, R. (2017). Quality Matters & Eduventures Survey of Chief Online Officers.

Download: https://www.qualitymatters.org/sites/default/files/research-docs-pdfs/CHLOE-First-Survey-Report.pdf

  • The Condition of Education in the U.S. (May 2016). S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences. Washington, DC.

*Download: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2016/2016144.pdf

  • Online Report Card–Tracking Online Education in the U.S. (2016). I. Elaine Allen & Dr. Jeff Seaman (Feb., 2016). Babson Survey Research Group and Quahog Research Group, LLC.

Download: http://onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/onlinereportcard.pdf

  • The Digest of Education Statistics, 2013.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences. Washington, DC. (May 2015, includes enrollment in distance education courses).

*Download: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2015/2015011.pdf

  • The Condition of Education 2015.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences. Washington, DC.

*Download: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2015/2015144.pdf (Note: Includes 2013-2014 undergraduate and graduate enrollment in distance education courses by level and control of institutions)

  • Grade Change–Tracking Online Education in the U.S.—2014. I. Elaine Allen & Dr. Jeff Seaman (Feb., 2015). Babson Survey Research Group, Pearson, & Sloan-C.

Download: http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/gradelevel.pdf

Infographic: http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/gradelevelinfo.pdf

  • Grade Change–Tracking Online Education in the U.S.—2013. I. Elaine Allen & Dr. Jeff Seaman (Jan., 2014). Babson Survey Research Group, Pearson, & Sloan-C.

Download: http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/gradechange.pdf

  • Changing Course–10 Yrs of Tracking Online Education in the U.S. (2013). Babson Survey Research Group, Quahog Research Group, LLC, and The Sloan Consortium

Download: http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/changingcourse.pdf

Understanding Your Finances: A Guide for College Students” – https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/students-guide-to-credit/

Distance Learning Technology Reports

Download: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R43826

  • Miron, G. & Gulosino, C. (2016). Virtual Schools Report 2016: Directory and Performance Review. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center.

*Download: http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/virtual-schools-annual-2016

  • Aslanian, C. B., & Clinefelter, D. L. (2013) Online college students 2013: Comprehensive data on demands and preferences. Louisville, KY: The Learning House, Inc.

Download: http://www.learninghouse.com/files/documents/resources/Online-College-Students-2013.pdf

Benchmark Reports

*Download: http://tech.ed.gov/files/2015/12/NETP16.pdf

  • Saba, Fred (2011). Distance Education in the United States, Past, Present, Future. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY/November–18 December 2011

Download: http://distance-educator.com/wp-content/uploads/ET-article-Saba-11-12-2011.pdf

ROI Institute – ROI Institute Launches ROI Estimator – ROI Institute – The ROI Estimator, a tool developed by ROI Institute that allows individuals to estimate the ROI on planned program design and implementation, can help you optimize the value of your programs and projects.

Why This is Needed
One concern about program implementation is that it may not deliver the expected value. The key to ensuring success is effective design and implementation. Will the program provide the desired results as currently designed? What changes can be implemented to improve the program? The ROI Estimator addresses these issues, making it a valuable tool for anyone implementing a new project or program.

How it was Developed
The ROI Estimator is based on research using 2,000 ROI studies in talent development. Our analysis showed what factors contributed to a better ROI. In the end, eight factors were identified that, when properly addressed, will ensure a program will deliver a positive ROI.

Distance Learning Quarterlies & Journals


USDLA Journals

USDLA is pleased to provide historical archived copies of its Quarterly Journal, Distance Learning. To access please login to your USDLA account through the Member Leap portal, then browse to the USDLA Asset Archive under the Resources menu.

Free Educational Journals


Worldwide Professional and Scholarly Journals