USDLA Newsletter 2020 (01-14-2020)

A newsletter from earlier in the week.

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Dr. Farhad Saba Founder, Editor USDLA Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. Reggie Smith III CEO / Executive Director Associate Editor OFFICIAL USDLA SPECIAL EDITION   Transactional Distance and Adaptive Learning takes a fresh look at one of the pioneering educational theories that accommodates the impact of information and communications technologies in learning. The theory of transactional distance (TTD) provides a distinct analytical and planning foundation for educators to conduct an overarching inquiry into transitioning from mass instructional and management systems in higher education to dynamic and transformational futures that focus on each individual learner. Based on the TTD, this pragmatic approach offers instructors, administrators, students, and other stakeholders a comprehensive planning method to assess the current state of their instructional, learning, and management practices and to develop alternative models to prescribe future improvements in their institution. This complex, self-organized, and adaptive method includes current and emergent properties of: hardware, software, and telecommunications systems that allow faculty, students, and administrators to communicate; instructional and curriculum systems that provide teaching and learning environments for faculty and students; and management, societal, and global systems that influence how institutions are supported, funded, and managed. ORDER DIRECTLY FROM ROUTLEDGE FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK Download Report Artificial Intelligence in Educational Technology This whitepaper from the team at Fountech.ai examines the impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven solutions can have on the educational sector; how this technology can assist teaching and learning at every level, from basic literacy to postgraduate study. Clearly, it’s beyond the scope of this WhitePaper to analyse every […] Keep Reading Share this article: RESEARCH-BASED ARTICLES OF THE WEEK Collaborative Design Reasoning in a Large Interdisciplinary Learning Tool Design Project This design case discusses the complex collaborative design reasoning processes involved in developing an online interactive learning tool for learners of all ages to explore and understand the role of flagellate plants in our society. The learning tool consists of a main website (the Voyager) and an interactive, dynamic map of the evolutionary relationships between […] Keep Reading Share this article: A Content Analysis of the Emergent Scholarship on Digital and Open Badges in Higher Education Higher education is subjected to demands of accountability and reform in terms of cost and student success (Morris, 2016), with some American states also demanding shorter times to degree and alternate pathways that recognize prior learning in other settings (Ohio Department of Education, n.d.). Education reforms refer to policies and practices that promote academic quality […] Keep Reading Share this article: Using Learning Analytics to Improve MOOC Instructional Design Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) allows teaching and learning for everyone. This means that people from any learning background can join any of the courses offered through MOOC platforms. Although learning materials are offered for free, learning retention and learning engagement were found to be consistently low alt-hough some MOOC are offered by well-known instructors. […] Keep Reading Share this article: Teaching and Learning Experiences with Enhanced Books in Engineering Math and Science Courses This study focuses on understanding the implementation of three interactive digital products in the first-year foundational courses (General Chemistry, Physics I & II, Calculus I & II) at the Faculty of Engineering, and the perceptions of teaching and learning experiences with those products. The data were gathered from the instructors, students and Distance Education Unit […] Keep Reading Share this article: Design of e-learning and online tutoring as learning support for academic writing The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development and assessment of learning support environments for academic writing that utilize ICT, such as e-learning and online tutoring, in Japanese higher education. First, the authors introduce the design of an e-learning writing program for the Japanese language and assess whether the program is an effective […] Keep Reading Share this article: A systematic review of immersive virtual reality applications for higher education: Design elements, lessons learned, and research agenda Researchers have explored the benefits and applications of virtual reality (VR) in different scenarios. VR possesses much potential and its application in education has seen much research interest lately. However, little systematic work currently exists on how researchers have applied immersive VR for higher education purposes that considers the usage of both high-end and budget […] Keep Reading Share this article: IN THE NEWS The Sun Has Risen on Learning Experience Design You’re an instructional designer who has invested lots of time and energy into creating beautiful online modules for a corporate course. You’ve followed your stakeholders’ wants and needs to a T. You’ve created animations and quizzes. However, once your course is live, you find learner engagement is dismal and your completion rates low. Does this […] Keep Reading Share this article: EdX launches for-credit credentials that stack into bachelor’s degrees With MicroBachelors, EdX is targeting adults who don’t have the time or funds for a traditional undergraduate education. “This could be transformative in the undergraduate space, particularly for learners that are in the workforce and are looking to get additional skills,” said Anant Agarwal, founder and CEO of EdX, in an interview with Education Dive. Major […] Keep Reading Share this article: U Michigan Tool Helps Students Learn How to Work in Teams Three engineering faculty members at the University of Michigan — all female — who have co-taught an Introduction to Engineering course have come up with a new tool at the institution to help students learn how to work in teams. The faculty team pursued the new solution as a replacement for doing weekly check-ins with […] Keep Reading Share this article: The 4 biggest challenges to our higher education model – and what to do about them In a future of unprecedented societal shifts, education is crucial to managing the challenges ahead. With more automated, digitized and fluid job markets, today’s higher education systems are quickly becoming incompatible with the future we are looking towards. We are two decades into the 21st century, yet higher education is generally still geared to succeeding […] Keep Reading Share this article: Microlearning, xAPI, And Training ROI (And Other Jargon) Is Not A Thing Yes, jargon exists everywhere. If you work, you hear jargon. And in business, there’s certainly no shortage of it. It’s been around for as long as people had a need to simplify complex ideas and concepts. But those involved with Learning and Development seem to have stepped up the jargon rhetoric. Sadly, some learning practitioners […] Keep Reading Share this article: Collaborative Design Reasoning in a Large Interdisciplinary Learning Tool Design Project This design case discusses the complex collaborative design reasoning processes involved in developing an online interactive learning tool for learners of all ages to explore and understand the role of flagellate plants in our society. The learning tool consists of a main website (the Voyager) and an interactive, dynamic map of the evolutionary relationships between […] Keep Reading Share this article: Benefits of a Pro Supporter 2x More Newsletters Monthly Abstracts Archived Content Support & Subscribe

United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), 10 G Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002

NDLW 2019 Webinar Recordings

Note these recordings from the National Distance Learning Week webinars back in November.

Dear Attendee, Thank you for signing up and participating in USDLA’s National Distance Learning Week, held this past November of 2019. We hope the information was of value to you. We have provided for your review, and those who missed any sessions, a link to the recorded webinars. Please visit Archived Events. Mark your calendar for our 2020 events noted below: 2020 USDLA National Conference – Registration is now OPEN! May 18 – 21, 2020 Nashville, TN https://usdla.org/2020-national-conference/ 2020 National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) November 9 – 13, 2020 Global 2020 International Forum for Women in eLearning (IFWE) December 2-4, 2020 New Orleans, LA USDLA is running a membership special for 50% off through January 31, 2020. For more information please visit 50% off USDLA Membership Thank you for your support of USDLA. Janet Major, USDLA President usdla.org 2020 National Conference Sponsorship Opportunities About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) The USDLA, a 501(c) 3 non-profit association formed in 1987, reaches 20,000 people globally with sponsors and members operating in and influencing 46% of the $913 billion. U.S. education and training market. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking, and opportunity. Distance learning and training constituencies served include pre-K-12 education, home schooling, higher education, and continuing education, as well as business, corporate, military, government, and telehealth markets. USDLA | www.usdla.org 10 G Street, NE Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20002 Tel: 202.248.5023  ‌  ‌  ‌

USDLA | 10 G Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002

Sale On USDLA Membership

A membership opportunity from a practitioner-focused organization that has been quite K-12 friendly.

Happy New Year From USDLA The United States Distance Learning Association is looking forward to another great year. We are starting things out with a great opportunity for you to become a member, or renew your membership for only half price through January 31. Visit usdla.org/memberships and enter the code USDLA50 Membership benefits include: Discounted registration fees for all USDLA signature events including our annual conference and International Forum for Women in eLearning (IFWE). Quarterly distance learning journal, and distance learning research resources. Connecting to distance learning leaders in higher education, K-12, military, corporate, government and telehealth constituencies. We facilitate connections and conversations, curate resources that promote best practices, and certify institutional excellence with a goal of advancing the field of distance and/or digital education for learners at all levels and in all locations. Mark your calendar for our USDLA National Conference May 18-21 in Nashville, TN. For more information and sponsorships opportunities Visit https://usdla.org/2020-national-conference/ We wish you and yours the BEST for 2020, and hope you will join us as we continue to lead the digital learning path further into our digital future. Sincerely, Dr. Reggie Smith III Executive Director www.usdla.org  ‌  ‌  ‌ About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) The USDLA, a 501(c) 3 non-profit association formed in 1987, reaches 20,000 people globally with sponsors and members operating in and influencing 46% of the $913 billion. U.S. education and training market. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking, and opportunity. Distance learning and training constituencies served include pre-K-12 education, home schooling, higher education, and continuing education, as well as business, corporate, military, government, and telehealth markets.Visit: USDLA.org 10 G Street, NE Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20002 Tel: 202.248.5023

USDLA | 10 G Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002

USDLA Newsletter 2020 (01-06-2020)

A newsletter from earlier in the week.

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Dr. Farhad Saba Founder, Editor USDLA Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. Reggie Smith III CEO / Executive Director Associate Editor OFFICIAL USDLA SPECIAL EDITION   Transactional Distance and Adaptive Learning takes a fresh look at one of the pioneering educational theories that accommodates the impact of information and communications technologies in learning. The theory of transactional distance (TTD) provides a distinct analytical and planning foundation for educators to conduct an overarching inquiry into transitioning from mass instructional and management systems in higher education to dynamic and transformational futures that focus on each individual learner. Based on the TTD, this pragmatic approach offers instructors, administrators, students, and other stakeholders a comprehensive planning method to assess the current state of their instructional, learning, and management practices and to develop alternative models to prescribe future improvements in their institution. This complex, self-organized, and adaptive method includes current and emergent properties of: hardware, software, and telecommunications systems that allow faculty, students, and administrators to communicate; instructional and curriculum systems that provide teaching and learning environments for faculty and students; and management, societal, and global systems that influence how institutions are supported, funded, and managed. ORDER DIRECTLY FROM ROUTLEDGE FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK Download Report The 54th in a series of publications initiated in 1962, the Digest’s purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of education from prekindergarten through graduate school. The Digest contains data on a variety of topics, including the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to […] Keep Reading Share this article: RESEARCH-BASED ARTICLES OF THE WEEK Universities Need to Learn the Early Lessons of Lifelong Learning For years, future of work reports have warned of major disruption. Artificial intelligence is spreading automation from the factory floor to the offices of university-educated professionals. Workers in jobs that don’t disappear will need different skills and regular retraining. This scenario sounds promising for universities and other education providers, who can prosper from lifelong learners. […] Keep Reading Share this article: Poised for Another Decade of Ed-Tech “Debacles” Over the holiday break, two pieces of writing coursed through my Twitter feed in successive order. The first was a Washington Post article by Drew Hartwell on the various tracking technologies higher education institutions are employing to surveil their students. As Hartwell reports, “Short-range phone sensors and campuswide WiFi networks are empowering colleges across the United States to […] Keep Reading Share this article: Pro and Con: Combining Instructional Designers and Educational Developers At some schools, the educational developers and instructional designers are part of a single campus center for teaching and learning. At other institutions, these learning professionals are homed in separate organizations, with IDs in academic computing units and EDs in CTLs. Across the U.S. postsecondary ecosystem, there is an active conversation going on about the […] Keep Reading Share this article: Digital Transformation: A Focus on Creativity, Not Tools A veteran education technologist, and a prominent researcher and consultant in education and emerging technologies, Ellen Wagner thinks deeply about what we are really saying when we talk about, and often attach labels to, our current initiatives, movements, or hopes at the intersection of education and technology. With present projects and affiliations in professional associations […] Keep Reading Share this article: Closing the Skills Gap 2019 This report identifies talent acquisition challenges that employers face, provides examples of how employers are attempting to fill skills gaps, and explores ways for companies to partner with universities to prepare workers for changing skills needs. Six hundred human resource leaders were surveyed to examine the scope of workforce skills gaps and tactics that employers […] Keep Reading Share this article: Designing an Aesthetic Learner Experience: UX, Instructional Design, and Design Pedagogy In this design case, we describe a multi-year process during which a team of faculty designed a four-year undergraduate major in user experience (UX) design at a large research-intensive institution. We document the program- and course-level design experiences of five faculty members. This multi-year process has culminated in a dual-strand, integrated studio learning environment. Two […] Keep Reading Share this article: IN THE NEWS Moving Forward with Learning Analytics: Expert Views Learning analytics involve the measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, in order to understand and optimize learning and the environments in which it occurs. Since emerging as a distinct field in 2011, learning analytics has grown rapidly, and early adopters around the world are developing and deploying these new […] Keep Reading Share this article: Validation of the Instructional Materials Motivation Survey: Measuring Student Motivation to Learn via Mixed Reality Nursing Education Simulation Motivation to learn is an important component of education, particularly in the field of educational technology in which the instructor’s physical presence is increasingly absent. The complexity of the many factors that contribute to student motivation renders this domain difficult to measure. The Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (IMMS) instrument was created to measure and identify […] Keep Reading Share this article: Instilling purpose and value in the implementation of digital badges in higher education This qualitative multi-case study examined digital badge programs being used at three higher education institutions, at the course level, the department level, and the university level. The study sought to explore the adoption of badges in higher education using Rogers’ (2003) innovation diffusion theory to identify factors associated with the adoption process in order to […] Keep Reading Share this article: A Batch of One: A Conceptual Framework for the Personalized Learning Movement Variation in definitions and models of personalized learning has created confusion and disagreement among practitioners and scholars. However, personalized learning continues to be broadly promoted and funded within schools. This paper offers an inclusive definition of what is happening within the personalized learning movement and aims to be inclusive of diverse epistemologies and cultures. To […] Keep Reading Share this article: Student Perceptions of Engagement in Online Courses: An Exploratory Study Given the increasing numbers of students who choose to learn online, educators should understand the conditions necessary for student success in this environment. Previous studies have documented that student engagement is essential to student learning, retention, persistence, and satisfaction. In this descriptive qualitative study, we sought to understand how students conceptualize engagement in online courses […] Keep Reading Share this article: Predictors of Online Doctoral Student Success: A Quantitative Study Online doctoral education is expanding; however, there is a paucity of research on the predictors of student success in these programs. Institutional leaders struggle to provide the academic environment and interventions to help online doctoral students make continual progress and complete their doctoral research, especially in open enrollment environments. In this study, a primarily online doctoral-granting […] Keep Reading Share this article: Benefits of a Pro Supporter 2x More Newsletters Monthly Abstracts Archived Content Support & Subscribe

United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), 10 G Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002

USDLA 2020 Call For Proposals And Award Nominations

Note this up-coming call for proposals.

‌  ‌  ‌ We are excited to begin accepting nominations and call for proposals for our upcoming 2020 Annual Conference. Award Nominations DEADLINE – January 31, 2020 United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), the nation’s premier distance learning association since 1987 presents its 2020 International Distance Learning Awards Program, the premier awards for the distance learning industry. These prestigious awards are presented annually to organizations and individuals, recognized in seven categories of excellence: 21st Century Distance Learning Award Outstanding Leadership Award Innovation Award Excellence in Teaching/Training Award Global Impact Award Student Achievement Award Quality Research Paper Award For more information, and to submit an award nomination, please visit: Annual Conference Award Nominations (Click Here) ===================================== Call for Proposals DEADLINE – January 31, 2020 The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is pleased to announce the 2020 Annual Conference Call for Proposals. Proposals are now being accepted based on the conference theme, “In Tune with the Future of Digital & Distance Learning”. The conference will take place May 17 – 21, 2020 in Music City: Nashville, Tennessee! We welcome proposals from all: corporate, education (higher and K-12), telehealth, government, and military. In keeping with our theme and our new location in Nashville, the following themes are intended to guide the general areas for presentation proposals: Industry Best Practices In Tune with Cyber Security, Privacy, and Breaches Perfect Harmony with Data Analytics New Hits: Training and Development for the Today’s Workforce Strumming your way to Innovation & Trends Making Beautiful Music Together: Administrative, Leadership & Policy Facing the Music on Workplace Competencies and Alternative Digital Credentials The Sound of the Future with Emerging Technologies The Heartbeat of Policy and Legislation Impacting Distance Education For more information, and to submit a presentation proposal, please visit: Annual Conference Call for Proposals Thank you for your support of USDLA, Janet Major, USDLA President www.usdla.org USDLA 2020 National Conference ________________________________________________________________________________ About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) The USDLA, a 501(c) 3 non-profit association formed in 1987, reaches 20,000 people globally with sponsors and members operating in and influencing 46% of the $913 billion. U.S. education and training market. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking, and opportunity. Distance learning and training constituencies served include pre-K-12 education, home schooling, higher education, and continuing education, as well as business, corporate, military, government, and telehealth markets.Visit: USDLA.org USDLA | www.usdla.org  ‌  ‌  ‌

USDLA | 10 G Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002