USDLA Newsletter 2019 (09-16-2019)

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 The USDLA is proud to be an official partner of the ICDE World Conference being held November 3-7, 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. We have arranged a special early bird conference rate for all USDLA members & friends as well as a special late paper submission opportunity for USDLA member if you register by September 1st . To register just click here and for paper submission please contact conference organizer Mark Brown at mark.brown@dcu.ie and mention USDLA. FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK Download Report Blended Learning for Quality Higher Education: Selected Case Studies on Implementation from Asia-Pacific The rapid advancement of technologies and their ubiquitous use in our daily lives have dramatically changed the way knowledge is created and disseminated. As a technology-enhanced pedagogical approach, blended learning – the deliberate combination of online learning with face-to-face classroom-based learning – […] Keep Reading Share this article: RESEARCH-BASED ARTICLES OF THE WEEK Learners’ beliefs about language-learning abilities in face-to-face & online settings This mixed-methods study investigates the beliefs of language learners about their ability to attend language classes and learn the language in face-to-face and online settings using Ajzen’s perceived behavioral control (PBC) construct. Two treatments were conducted in two contexts: a face-to-face language-learning context (n = 684) and an online language-learning context (n = 289). The results show that certain […] Keep Reading Share this article: Comparison of video demonstrations and bedside tutorials for teaching paediatric clinical skills to large groups of medical students in resource-constrained settings Videos are increasingly being used for teaching clinical skills in medical education. However, most reports on the effectiveness and benefits of videos in medical teaching have come from developed countries. Resource constraints in South African academic hospitals, together with increasing numbers, may apply pressure on the standard of clinical teaching. This study investigated the potential […] Keep Reading Share this article: Critical Components of Formative Assessment in Process‑Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning for Online Labs In the traditional lab setting, it is reasonably straightforward to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback. Such formative assessments can help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, and assist faculty to recognize where students are struggling and address problems immediately. But in an online virtual lab setting, formative assessment has challenges that go beyond […] Keep Reading Share this article: The Patras Blended Strategy Model for Deep and Meaningful Learning in Quality Life‑Long Distance Education Life-long learning is currently being embraced as a central process that could disrupt traditional educational paths. Apparently, the (ideal) type of learning often promoted is deep and meaningful learning, though it is not always required to be so. Deep learning goes beyond superficial knowledge assimilation of unlinked facts; it aims at developing deep disciplinary […] Keep Reading Share this article: The mediating role of motivation for creative performance of cloud-based m-learning The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictability of cloud-based m-learning for creative performance, and the mediating effect of motivation. The participants were 116 college students, who participated in the pre-test and post-test of a teaching experiment. The conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) cloud-based m-learning has a significant positive effect […] Keep Reading Share this article: Teacher Education at a Distance: What are the Student Teachers Saying? The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is one of the increasing Open and Distance learning Institution that has reposition itself for innovative teacher training programme at a distance. This ODL paradigm has widen student’s access and opened up n ew possibilities of learning. But if the emergence of student’s voice has presented itself as […] Keep Reading Share this article: IN THE NEWS Rethinking the Context of Edtech The sociology of education technology has encouraged us to emerge from our areas of specialization and work together as a community of practice to reconsider the context of edtech. EDUCAUSE Review Keep Reading Share this article: Nebraska College Launches New Data Science Major Nebraska Wesleyan University has developed an integrative data science major designed to connect its traditional liberal arts education with high-tech skills now in demand by employers. Nebraska Wesleyan University Keep Reading Share this article: Can Amazon Upskill Higher Education? A Beta Test Amazon Prime Day came and went on July 15th, and by most accounts, it left smiling faces around the globe. But just a few days before this annual shop-a-thon, Amazon announced a gift of its own: a pledge to spend more than $700,000,000 to train and upskill 100,000 employees , about a third of its […] Keep Reading Share this article: 3 Ways Student Data Can Improve Your Teaching Leveraging data from your classroom can be one of the most effective ways to ensure students succeed ou’ve flipped your classroom, you’re assessing often with quick quizzes, and your students are even finding that regular, low-stakes assessments help their learning. But now you have a problem—too much data. What do you do with it all […] Keep Reading Share this article: The Global Landscape of Online Program Companies New trove of data suggests a bigger, more complex, more varied ecosystem of companies that work with colleges to take their academic programs online. Trying to bring order and understanding to a market as transitory and diffuse as the business of online education can be a challenge. Important contributions have come in recent years from […] Keep Reading Share this article: Market Signals for Research-Based Innovations Earlier this year, Digital Promise spoke with more than 50 stakeholders across the country to understand the most pervasive challenges facing the current edtech industry. Educators and education leaders, education nonprofit and procurement platform staffers, and edtech product teams shared that they need three things in relation to the edtech marketplace: trustworthy information, common indicators […] 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), 840 First Street, NE,3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20002

USDLA Newsletter 2019 (09-09-2019)

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 USDLA is proud to be an official partner of the ICDE World Conference being held November 3-7, 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. We have arranged a special early bird conference rate for all USDLA members & friends as well as a special late paper submission opportunity for USDLA member if you register by September 1st . To register just click here and for paper submission please contact conference organizer Mark Brown at mark.brown@dcu.ie and mention USDLA. FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK Download Report SREB Fact Book on Higher Education The SREB Fact Book on Higher Education is one of the nation’s most comprehensive collections of comparative data on higher education. For decades, state leaders, policymakers, researchers and journalists have used the Fact Book to find accurate, comparable data and learn more about long-term trends. The 2019 Fact Book includes more than […] Keep Reading Share this article: RESEARCH-BASED ARTICLES OF THE WEEK Learning Analytics to Inform the Learning Design: Supporting Instructor’s Inquiry into Student Learning in Unsupervised Technology-Enhanced Platforms Instructors may design and implement formative assessments on technology-enhanced platforms (e.g., online quizzes) with the intention of encouraging the use of effective learning strategies like active retrieval of information and spaced practice among their students. However, when students interact with unsupervised technology-enhanced learning platforms, instructors are often unaware of students’ actual use of the learning […] Keep Reading Share this article: Orchestrating Learning Analytics (ORLA): Supporting Inter-Stakeholder Communication About Adoption Of Learning Analytics At The Classroom Level Despite the recent surge of interest in learning analytics (LA), their adoption in everyday classroom practice is still slow. Knowledge gaps and lack of inter-stakeholder communication (particularly with educational practitioners) have been posited as critical factors for previous LA adoption failures. Yet, what issues should researchers, practitioners and other actors communicate about, when considering the […] Keep Reading Share this article: The Collaborative Mapping Model: Relationship-Centered Design for Higher Education Instructional designers list one of their primary obstacles as collaborating with faculty (Intentional Futures, 2016). Additionally, instructional designers experience a high degree of role misperception and struggle to advocate for clear and defined roles (Drysdale, 2018). In order to address these challenges, I created the Collaborative Mapping Model (CMM), a model of instructional design for […] Keep Reading Share this article: Digital divide: addressing Internet skills. Educational implications in the validation of a scale Recent studies indicate that Internet skills have a positive impact on academic achievement. This article presents a national study that seeks to validate an Internet skills scale that was already tested in other EU countries (the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) to understand the competence level of the population as a whole as well as […] Keep Reading Share this article: From Confounded Common Ground: Misunderstandings Between Tertiary Teachers and Students in Online Discussions Drawing on findings from two studies, this article focuses on the expectations of students and teachers in higher education, when learning via asynchronous online discussions. In particular, this synthesis highlights a divergence of expectations. The first study investigated how students and teachers experienced asynchronous online discussion within initial teacher education at undergraduate level. The second […] Keep Reading Share this article: Learning Also Needs To Be a Little Fun: What Academic Learning Goals Can Students Achieve by Developing Games This study presents an exploratory investigation of how learning through game development can contribute to students’ academic learning and how applying game making for learning as a teaching method can be linked to subject-specific learning goals. The paper describes a project where twenty-two second grade Danish students worked with problem-based assignments that supported them in […] Keep Reading Share this article: IN THE NEWS Winning the Battle for Student Success One higher education institution, South Texas College, is winning the battle for student success, fighting against poverty and language barriers with the help of a mobile communication tool. EDUCAUSE Review Keep Reading Share this article: Buffalo schools build Wi-Fi network targeting ‘homework gap’ A school district in Buffalo, New York, has announced a $1.3 million project to bring Wi-Fi connectivity to thousands of students’ homes in two of the city’s most poorly connected neighborhoods. edscoop Keep Reading Share this article: Unicheck Debuts AI-Powered Contract Cheating Detection Plagiarism and cheating prevention software company Unicheck has introduced Emma, an artificial intelligence tool for authorship verification. Campus Technology Keep Reading Share this article: Are online exams in higher education the right way forward? Online or digital exams can save lecturers ample marking time, also saving students the hassle of putting pen to paper to demonstrate their knowledge in an area of study. Study International Keep Reading Share this article: She’s The Future Of Moodle. Gry Stene At MoodleMoot Australia 2019 The “Moot where Moodle plays home” usually ends with a splashy closing keynote from an invited speaker. It is meant to inspire and awaken the Open EdTech senses. Last July in Melbourne there was almost no exception. LMS Puls Keep Reading Share this article: Internet2 Network Adds Support for IPv6 RTBH Signaling and Filtering Remote Triggered Blackhole Filtering (RTBH) is one among several mitigation techniques offered to the Internet2 community for mitigating Denial of Service (DoS) threats. Recently, the Internet2 network added support for RTBH signaling and filtering over the IPv6 R&E network. Inter-domain RTBH signaling requires a consistent and standardized approach that also conforms to best practices adopted […] 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), 840 First Street, NE,3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20002

USDLA Newsletter 2019 (09-03-2019)

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 USDLA is proud to be an official partner of the ICDE World Conference being held November 3-7, 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. We have arranged a special early bird conference rate for all USDLA members & friends as well as a special late paper submission opportunity for USDLA member if you register by September 1st . To register just click here and for paper submission please contact conference organizer Mark Brown at mark.brown@dcu.ieand mention USDLA. FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK Download Report The IT Workforce in Higher Education, 2019: CIOs, DEI, HR, Mentoring, and Salaries Drawing on survey data from nearly 1,600 IT professionals in higher education, each of the five reports in this series highlights a number of important findings (one for each report shown below) that will be useful for technology and higher education professionals […] Keep Reading Share this article: RESEARCH-BASED ARTICLES OF THE WEEK Understanding the Early Adjustment Experiences of Undergraduate Distance Education Students in South AfricaMuch research in face-to-face contexts outlines the importance of early adjustment on students’ higher education experiences. However, few studies have replicated this research in distance learning contexts to unpack the early multifaceted adjustments associated with studying in absence of a physical campus. This is particularly needed from a Global South perspective, where countries like South […] Keep Reading Share this article: How captions help people learn languages: A working-memory, eye-tracking studyCaptions provide a useful aid to language learners for comprehending videos and learning new vocabulary, aligning with theories of multimedia learning. Multimedia learning predicts that a learner’s workingmemory (WM) influences the usefulness of captions. In this study, we present two eye-tracking experiments investigating the role of WM in captioned video viewing behavior and comprehension. In […] Keep Reading Share this article: Developing Self-Directed Learners Through an ePortfolio Peer Consultant ProgramThis case study looks at the implementation of an extracurricular program, the ePortfolio Peer Consultants (ePPC) peer-mentoring technology group, as a part of an ePortfolio project at the University of Virginia and its impact on the development of ePortfolio skill sets. Specifically, we seek to understand if and how the participation in this program has […] Keep Reading Share this article: Constructing a Professional Identity: Connecting College and Career Through ePortfoliosIn this paper, we describe the use of ePortfolios at a public, land-grant university and document how the ePortfolio has been used to develop more authentic learning experiences. We discuss the best practices for ePortfolios and its varied use as a teaching and learning tool. In addition, we discuss the challenges of implementing ePortfolios. For […] Keep Reading Share this article: Using Debate in an Online Asynchronous Social Policy CourseThis paper presents the use of a debate in an online asynchronous social policy course. Debate is frequently used as an instructional strategy in higher education, but little is known about the use of this tool in an online learning environment. Participants (N = 36) completed an online debate assignment and both qualitative (reflection papers) […] Keep Reading Share this article: From Proprietary Textbook to Custom OER Solution: Using Learner Feedback to Guide Design and DevelopmentThis study presents the initial needs analysis and formative evaluation of the beta version of an open educational resource (OER) textbook solution. The OER textbook, created by the authors, replaces a proprietary, paper-based textbook and is delivered to students digitally, within a learning management system. Findings show that students are concerned about cost and convenience, […] Keep Reading Share this article: IN THE NEWS Sustainability, Solidarity, and Community in Higher EducationRebuilding a relationship of trust between higher education institutions and the public they serve—and ensuring the sustainability of higher education itself—requires that we focus our practices and our modes of communicating around building solidarity and community both on campus and across campuses. EDUCAUSE Review Keep Reading Share this article: How to Teach Online: An interview with Dr. Angel PazurekDr. Angelica (Angel) Pazurek, Ph.D. is currently a senior lecturer and graduate faculty member in learning technologies at the University of Minnesota. She teaches undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate courses and workshops on digital literacy, social media, online teaching and learning design, and research methodologies for learning technologies. Angel is also a researcher at the Learning […] Keep Reading Share this article: Engaging students in a post-email worldDiscover how one university found a way to work around too much unread email and engage with students on a personal level eCampus News Keep Reading Share this article: Distance Learning Without ComputersArizona State University is finding out what refugee farmers in Uganda and online course creators have to teach each other about making do with very little. Campus Technology Keep Reading Share this article: Ransomware ‘halts everything’ in Connecticut school districtAdministrators at Wolcott Public Schools, a K-12 district of five schools in Western Connecticut, announced Thursday they are recovering from a cyberattack that hit their computers during the last week of school last June. edscoop 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), 840 First Street, NE,3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20002

National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) – Nov. 4 – 8, 2019

Note this annual event for later in the Fall.

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National Distance Learning Week November 4 – 8, 2019   What will you do for NDLW 2019? Purpose: The purpose of National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) is to generate greater awareness and appreciation for distance learning, including K-12, Higher Education, Corporate and Military, while recognizing leaders and best practices in the field.   Goal: For schools, colleges, and corporations to conduct local events during NDLW to celebrate and promote the field of online learning.   When: November 4 – 8, 2019   Who: Professionals engaged in the day-to-day practice of distance learning (schools, colleges, corporations, military) and individuals and organizations providing products and services being distributed via online, video conferencing and satellite technologies. Schedule Coming Soon!  Become a USDLA Member Today! Become a USDLA Sponsor Today! For more information on NDLW or to Sponsor NDLW… contact USDLA at 202.248.5023 today! About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is a non-profit association formed in 1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The association reaches 20,000 people globally with sponsors and members operating in and influencing 46% of the $913 billion dollar 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, higher and continuing education, home schooling as well as business, corporate, military, government and telehealth markets. The USDLA trademarked logo is the recognized worldwide symbol of dedicated professionals committed to the distance learning industry. http://www.usdla.org

United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), 76 Canal Street,Suite 301, Boston, MA 02114

USDLA Newsletter 2019 (08-26-2019)

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 The USDLA is proud to be an official partner of the ICDE World Conference being held November 3-7, 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. We have arranged a special early bird conference rate for all USDLA members & friends as well as a special late paper submission opportunity for USDLA member if you register by September 1st . To register just click here and for paper submission please contact conference organizer Mark Brown at mark.brown@dcu.ieand mention USDLA. FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK Download Report Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2019 As proponents continue to make the case that virtual education can expand student choices and improve the efficiency of public education, full-time virtual schools have attracted a great deal of attention. Advocates contend that this potential for individualization allows virtual schools to promote greater student achievement than can be […] Keep Reading Share this article: RESEARCH-BASED ARTICLES OF THE WEEK “So I Feel Like We Were Just Theoretical, Whereas They Actually Do It”: Navigating Twitter Chats for Teacher EducationIn this qualitative study, the authors analyzed the participation of preservice teachers in a discipline specific Twitter chat known as #sschat. Findings indicated that preservice teachers found value in the chat when they shared resources with practicing teachers, had resources shared with them, and built professional networks. However, there were instances when the preservice teachers […] Keep Reading Share this article: Using Technology Tools for Formative AssessmentsIn recent years, online teaching has become extremely popular. Most institutions of higher learning are offering online courses in almost every field of study. Teaching any course online is challenging, but teaching quantitative courses, such as operations management, management science, statistics, and others, have added a more challenging dimension to online teaching. Publishers have been […] Keep Reading Share this article: Creative and Innovative Online Teaching Strategies: Facilitation for Active ParticipationFacilitating an online course in today’s student population requires an educator to be innovative and creative and to have an impactful online presence. In the current online learning environment (also known as e-learning), keeping students’ thoughtfully engaged and motivated while dispensing the required course content necessitates faculty enabling a safe, nonjudgmental environment whereby views, perspectives, […] Keep Reading Share this article: Connecting physical and virtual spaces in a HyFlex pedagogic model with a focus on teacher interactionThis article highlights interaction within physical and virtual spaces in a higher education HyFlex learning environment with live streamed lectures and seminars. What kinds of learning spaces do we shape when we connect physical and virtual spaces? How do we interact in these spaces, and how do they affect our interaction? The perspective of ‘designs […] Keep Reading Share this article: Using Online Lectures to Promote Engagement: Recognising the Self-Directed Learner as Critical for Practical InquiryThis study analyzed the relationships between teaching presence, social presence and cognitive presence in online learning environments (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000), with an emphasis on examining ways in which the design of instructor presentation formats relates to student responses within discussion forums. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were used to determine the nature of […] Keep Reading Share this article: Designing for distance learning in developing countries: a case studyTeaching and learning in higher education are being transformed through complex configurations of people, tasks, material and digital resources. Successful designs for innovative learning require understanding how these complex configurations relate to learner’s activity. This paper illustrates the application of a networked learning approach to frame the design of distance learning in higher education in […] Keep Reading Share this article: IN THE NEWS Taking IT Way beyond Accessibility: 5 + 4 = 1 ApproachWe all agree that accessibility is the right thing to do. What concrete steps should IT professionals take in order to support access for learners, faculty, and staff across our colleges and universities? EDUCAUSE Review Keep Reading Share this article: At Indiana U., video platform blends traditional and distance educationStudents attending Indiana University are now able to combine the collaborative benefits of a traditional classroom education with the ease of access that comes with distance learning, through video conferencing technology. edscooop Keep Reading Share this article: Salesforce Joins Forces with SNHU to Offer College CreditsA new partnership between Southern New Hampshire University and Salesforce will give students the opportunity to earn college credits for completing Salesforce training badges. Campus Technology Keep Reading Share this article: New Plugins On The Block! Compatible With Moodle, Totara, Blackboard Open LMSDespite the limited options to commercialize and promote Moodle plugins from within, and the prodigiously long review queue, the entrepreneurial spirit that comes along with open source learning remains defiant. Many of the new plugins here are the perfect illustration. Freemium, licenses, donationware or simply a talent showcase defy the barricades and enhance the experience of […] Keep Reading Share this article: Trust and Identity in Research and Education Program Report Released, Highlights Key Accomplishments for Simplifying Campus Processes and Advancing Inter-Institutional Collaboration and ResearchThe time involved in installing and configuring key software components has been significantly reduced, and training opportunities have expanded to help organizations come up to speed more quickly. Those are two of the findings of the final report from the Trust and Identity in Education and Research (TIER) program, which was released earlier this week. […] Keep Reading Share this article: Online Education Start-Up, Backed by Research University CreditOutlier, from founder of MasterClass, aims to create high-quality, low-priced ($400) gen-ed courses to help community college students transfer. Credits will bear University of Pittsburgh’s name. Inside Higher ED 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), 840 First Street, NE,3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20002