State Chapters
Louisiana Distance Learning Association Hosts the Mid-South Distance Learning Conference in New Orleans
Federal Government Distance Learning Association Recognized for Excellence
Colorado Distance Learning Association Elects New Officers and Board Members
Exciting Presentations at Florida Distance Learning Association 2015 Annual Conference
Louisiana Distance Learning Association Hosts the Mid-South Distance Learning Conference in New Orleans
The Mid-South Distance Learning Conference is sponsored by Distance Learning Groups in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This year, the Louisiana Distance Learning Association is hosting the 2015 event October 27 through 28 at the New Orleans Hyatt French Quarter in New Orleans, LA. All are invited to come "pass a good time" and Jazz Up Distance Learning: Engaging Lifelong Learners.
The Mid-South Distance Learning Conference focuses on distance learning innovation in both kindergarten through 12th grade and higher education environments. The world of distance learning changes so rapidly that e-learning professionals must keep their own education up to date. The keynote speaker will be Kecia Ray, Ed.D., Chair of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and former president of the Special Interest Group for Online Learning (SIGOL).
As Executive Director of the Center for Digital Education, Dr. Ray consults on all the publishing and research efforts of the Center. In addition, she advises educators on the use of technology in kindergarten through 12th grade, libraries, higher education, and museums. Dr. Ray also provides advice to industry executives to help them better understand the needs of educators. She is available to speak at regional and national events on behalf of the Center, and runs special programs to help advance the use of technology in education.
To register for the conference and for housing information, visit http://www.ladla.org.
Federal Government Distance Learning Association Recognized for Excellence
Elearning! Magazine recognized the Federal Government Distance Learning Association (FGDLA) as a 2015 top learning organization. In addition, the FGDLA was named a top 40 learning organization in the public sector.
The Learning! 100 Awards honor the top 100 organizations for their best-in-class learning and development programs, enabling a learning culture that creates outstanding organizational performance. For a complete list of the winners, visit http://www.marketwatch.com/story/learning-100-award-winners-being-honored-at-enterprise-learning-conference-2015-2015-05-04
To read an Elearning! Magazine article about the top 100 award winners, visit http://www.2elearning.com/top-stories/item/56112-the-learning-100-named.
Colorado Distance Learning Association Elects New Officers and Board Members
On August 21, 2015, polling closed for the Colorado Distance Learning Association (ColoDLA) Board Elections. The organization elected Neil Schaal, DIT, as Vice President (President Elect) and David Kaye as Secretary. Amy Linville, Roger Campbell, and Rod Biasca were elected to the three open board seats. In his ballot description, Dr. Schaal noted that as CIO of a rural county school district, he ran 15 distance learning Polycom locations that allowed students and staff the ability to work with NASA and aquariums – just two examples. He is now working with EagleNet and Affiniti, providing schools with the ability to bring high-speed connections throughout Colorado.
“I am looking forward to building a great relationship with everyone, and to doing the best for the organization,” Dr. Schaal said.
David (Dave) Kaye started his ventures in distance learning in 1993 with an internship at the Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Communications (MCET).
“I knew then distance learning was empowering and an incredible way to extend resources to remote students,” Mr. Kaye said. “Attending the Colorado Distance Learning Association’s conference in April 2015, and meeting with its members and leaders encouraged me to get more involved. As Secretary, I look forward to advancing the organization’s initiatives and working with the membership and the board.”
Exciting Presentations at Florida Distance Learning Association 2015 Annual Conference
The Florida Distance Learning Association (FDLA) 2015 Annual Conference took place September 28 and 29 at the Hilton in Altamonte Springs, FL. The theme for this year’s conference, which was sponsored by Proctor U, was “Celebrate Distance Learning: Develop! Collaborate! Lead!”
Sessions were targeted to the kindergarten through 12th grade audience and to higher education distance learning leaders. Lynne Schrum, Ph.D., Dean, Fischler College of Education, Nova Southeastern University, gave the keynote address. Dr. Schrum is the past president of the International Society for Technology in Education.
Throughout the two-day conference, exciting sessions were presented by Nova Southeastern University, Orange County Virtual School, Broward County Public Schools, Florida Virtual School, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Polk State College, Saint Leo University, and Florida Atlantic University. Topics of discussion included competency-based education (CBE), game-based learning, academic integrity, MOOCs, institutional effectiveness, and blended and personalized learning.
