TxDLA Participates in National Distance Learning Week

A successful 2007 National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), held during November 12-16, 2007 and sponsored by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), promoted and celebrated the tremendous growth and accomplishments occurring today in distance learning programs offered by schools, businesses, and governmental departments. During this week, the USDLA conducted a series of free webinars showcasing various types of distance learning providers. 

Of particular interest to TxDLA members was a webcast held on November 15, 2007 that featured the USDLA’s initiatives in the use of educational technologies, curriculum development and public policy affecting all levels of learning. It can be viewed at:

http://dhtv2.csudh.edu/promos/USDLAwebcast_111507.wmv 

This exciting event connected distance learning professionals from four regions of the United States in an interactive exchange with USDLA members and supporters about the future of education, the development of USDLA as a society of professionals and the importance of professional networking. 

TxDLA members participating in the webcast were Marci Powell and Laurie Hogle, President of TxDLA.

Ken Conn, TxDLA Past-President, said, “This event marked the first, of hopefully many, collaborations between multiple state chapters of the USDLA. It was presented in a unique format that combined videoconferencing and interactive video streaming technologies.” 

This event was made possible through the cooperation of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA); the Alliance for Distance Education in California (ADEC); the Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA) the Florida Distance Learning Association (FDLA); Booz Allen Hamilton; POLYCOM; and California State University, Dominguez Hills. 

“It was refreshing to see some of the leaders of the distance learning community put their beliefs into practice and share information while providing an opportunity for others to interact from their respective locations, “ said Conn.

Currently, over 2.5 million college students are taking online course and/or earning online college degrees. At the secondary school level, over 700,000 high school students are taking one or more courses online, and nearly 40 states have established state-wide or state-lead virtual schools. Michigan became the first state in 2007 to require high school students take at least one online course for graduation.