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| A four-year member of TxDLA, Linda Solis began her work in distance learning as a consultant, developing CD-based training. She is married to Felix, who volunteers with her in their church and as free labor with Habitat for Humanity. Her other loves include reading, as many as 10 books a month, baking and baseball. “I’ll watch anyone play baseball, from t-ball all the way up to the big leagues,” she said. “I am a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan.” |
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....anyone
… anywhere … anytime
with Linda Solis!
From chalk and blackboards to laser pointers and interactive screens, an educator’s toolkit has evolved as instructional strategies adapt to the influence of technology.
“I don’t think distance learning will ever replace the face-to-face learning format,” Linda Solis said, “but I do believe that it absolutely enhances the learning experience.”
Mrs. Solis works at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, coordinating audioconferences for the continuing education needs of healthcare professionals. She also contributes in the educational research and development department as an instructional designer.
School children exchange cultural well wishes and a single mother works online to earn a degree after the kids are put to bed. Outside of public education, the private sector continues to utilize distance learning to connect isolated locations to centers of learning.
“We are able, through distance learning, to disseminate information to very remote areas that otherwise may not be served, or who would have to financially stretch themselves in order to meet their annual CEUs,” Mrs. Solis said.
In her current position for three years, Mrs. Solis said she plans and implements audioconferences in 10 subject areas.
“In these 10 areas, I touch hundreds of healthcare professionals each month,” she said. “Our average program size is 18 sites with five listeners at each.”
Different from videoconferencing, audioconferencing provides visual aids to supplement the audio instruction using multimedia presentations, copies of journal articles and other handouts to reinforce the speaker’s points. Instructional content and resources come from the speakers, “but I usually get my hands in there too, making sure that the Power Points aren’t too busy,” Mrs. Solis said.
For now, her work focuses on audioconferencing and developing programs online.
“We continue to strive to reach healthcare professionals who work in small, remote, and/or disadvantaged areas,” she said.
Contributed by Cheryl LaRue, North
Lamar ISD Ed NOTE: Linda was a member of the 2006 annual conference
steering committee and served as the Food & Catering Chair.
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