June 2023: Episode 9 of the Distance Learning Roundtable features a Q&A with Dr. Robert A. Alsop of Waldorf University

November 1, 2024 — Hello friends and welcome to this month’s episode of USDLA's Distance Learning Roundtable starring USDLA's Secretary and chairman of our important Awards committee Wendy Pate — who in her day job is the associate director of Webcampus online graduate courses at Stevens Institute of Technology, www.Stevens.edu.

Our guest today is Dr. Peter Noonan, Superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools

About Peter: A longtime leader in the Fairfax County Public Schools, Peter was Superintendent for Fairfax City Public Schools before moving to Fall Church City Schools in 2017. He has also been an assistant principal at Langley High School, principal at Lanier Middle School and Centreville High School, and assistant superintendent for the Instructional Services Department, overseeing academic programs for the system’s 180,000 students. Dr. Noonan holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of New Mexico and a doctorate in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (known as Virginia Tech). read more...

Presenters: Dr. Michelle Dennis, Dr. Eric Roe, Katia Nyysti, Matthew Bruce, Katie Gordon

In this webinar: Members of the National University academic and student support leadership teams will unpack their unified strategy for cultivating student engagement. A team of presenters (Dean, faculty member, academic support services, student experience, and virtual community architect) will provide their unique viewpoints and insights on how they foster a sense of belonging and community among students through their various roles.

A sense of belonging means a student feels part of a community without adapting to who they are. A student who feels part of a university is more likely to engage with the community (Dost & Smith, 2023; Masika & Jones, 2016). Attendees will learn about National University’s best practices and guiding principles for designing community engagement and connection. Become a USDLA Member and get access to all of our Free Friday Webinars: www.usdla.org read more...

August 2, 2024—The US Distance Learning Association is thrilled to launch a new tradition: Each First Friday of the month, we will spotlight one of our state chapters.

To get us started: USDLA welcomes its newest state chapter, the Delmarva Digital Learning Association, and its founder, Dr. Alexandra Salas. She joins forces with two leaders from Wilmington, DE-based Goldey-Beacom College — Deanna M. Merritt, Ph.D. SHRM-CP, Faculty, Management & Marketing Director, Center for Professional Development & Partnerships and Russell Michalak, Director of Library & Archives. read more...

July 28, 2024 — Learn the three elements that will help you design experiences and motivational learning environments.

Dive into gamification design, focusing on the creation of engaging challenges and relatable characters that drive explicit engagement.

About our presenter: Bernardo Letayf is an international gamification expert, trainer, and speaker specializing in education, Web, and UX design/development with over 21 years in the industry. Formerly a teacher, he created BLUERABBIT to gamify education and remove the stress and attention from grades. Today, this award-winning platform has successfully gamified over 13,000 players on all continents and is currently used to gamify corporate training programs, university courses, and schools. read more...

June 19, 2024 — This USDLA Free Friday Webinar focuses on ways that blockchain technology can improve the portability of micro-credentials.

Blockchain, a tool that originated in the financial sector, has recently supported enhanced documentation and information sharing in education. The pilot presented here involved disaggregating the three specialization courses of a degree program to create micro-credentials. One key goal was to develop micro-credentials that aligned with the degree program. A second goal was to ensure that the credentials existed as part of a formal ledger and provide shared access. GitHub, an open-sourced repository, created a soul-bound token for adding credentials to the chain. The chain supports ease of verification, thereby improving outcomes for students. Expanding this initiative may help support equity for students seeking short-term credentials. read more...

A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, communications director, US Distance Learning Association — Having been virtually meeting for more than 36 years, engaging virtual meetings producer John Chen can juggle 16 screens of information at a time.

He has planned the only 100% live virtual conference in the training industry for 1,200 people and produced a six-language virtual webinar. He is a recognized thought leader on engaging virtual meetings and the John Wiley and Sons author of “Engaging Virtual Meetings” and “50 Digital Team Building Games,” top-selling business books. John's work has earned him multiple awards. John's 300,000+ clients across the United States, Spain, France, and Taiwan have experienced breakthrough results. read more...

July 1, 2024: A Note from Hope, executive producer, Inkandescent Radio — It is a great honor and pleasure to be the communications director of the US Distance Learning Association, usdla.org. Each July, we welcome a new president to lead us for the year and today the baton is passed from our 2023-2024 president Chuck Sengstock to incoming president Valary Oleinik.

Chuck says: As the outgoing president of the United Distance Learning Association, I am very proud of our accomplishments this past year. We have made great strides in reinvigorating our public policy initiatives and have seen definitive growth in membership. Our Board of Directors is engaged and excited for the next year under the leadership of Valary Oleinik. As you'll learn about below, Valary's initiatives specific to technology, leadership, and connections/collaboration are very exciting. Her leadership will take our organization to the next level. Hang on for an exciting year. Mark your calendars! Our next conference will be July 23-26. I hope to see you! read more...

About this webinar: Students enroll in online courses for a variety of reasons. However, while asynchronous online courses may be ideal for many due to the flexibility offered, they can be extremely isolating for students. Research shows that instructor presence can help create a sense of community within an online course, can build trust between students and the instructor, and can increase student engagement while also increasing academic achievement. Every stakeholder involved in the course creation or facilitation of online learning wants students to feel valued, but getting started can be a daunting process. Have you ever felt like "just a facilitator" within your course? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of giving detailed feedback to every student? As an instructional designer, have you ever wondered how to change your design practice to help subject matter experts be more present within the course? If you answered yes to any of these questions, don't miss the conversation as we discuss seven ways to help increase instructor presence within online courses. These strategies will help instructional designers implement ways to increase instructor presence during the course design process and ways for instructors to insert themselves into the course positively. This session will also focus on the four attributes of high-quality feedback and how these principles can be implemented within any course, regardless of size. read more...

April 2024: A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, communications director, US Distance Learning Association (USDLA) — Please join us for this month's episode of our new USDLA Free Friday Webinar hosted by USDLA president-elect Valary Oleinik.

Meet our guest: Dr. Pam DeGuzman, Nurse Scientist at UVA Health and an Associate Professor of Nursing at the University of Virginia School of Nursing

Today's Topic: Implementing Telemedicine in Libraries: Barriers and Strategies for Success

About the webinar: Public libraries offering telemedicine provide a critical lifeline to patients, particularly those who live long distances from sites of care. In this session, Dr. Pam DeGuzman will provide a comprehensive overview of research on the implementation of telemedicine in public libraries. She will share commonly encountered barriers and review models linked to successful patient outreach. She will provide information about the recently developed Telemedicine in Libraries Pre-Implementation Workbook that guides librarians and community partners step-by-step to build the foundation for a successful program. read more...

January 2024: A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, communications director, US Distance Learning Association (USDLA) — Please join us for this month's episode of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable, when, for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet our guests: Dr. Heather F. Perfetti, president of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and Nicole Biever, the organization's Chief of Staff

Today's Topic: The importance of credentialing for US colleges — and what the future might hold read more...

August 2023: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for this month's episode of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable, where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet our guest: Monica Cornetti, Founder and President of Sententia Gamification

Today's Topic: The Art of Game-Based Learning

Pat and Dean have 10 Questions for Monica:

How has gamified and game-based learning evolved in the adult education market, and what are some notable success stories or case studies? What are the key differences and similarities between gamified learning and game-based learning, and how do these approaches impact adult learners? How can gamified and game-based learning be effectively integrated into distance learning programs across diverse educational settings, such as corporate training, higher education, and telehealth? What are some main challenges and considerations when implementing gamified and game-based learning for adult learners, and how can these challenges be addressed? What are the potential benefits of incorporating gamified and game-based learning into distance education for adult learners, and how do these approaches enhance learner engagement, motivation, and retention? Can you share some examples of innovative technologies or platforms that support gamified and game-based learning for adult learners, and what features or functionalities make them effective? How do gamified and game-based learning approaches cater to the unique learning preferences of adult learners, and what strategies can be employed to ensure inclusivity and accessibility? What research or studies have been conducted on the efficacy of gamified and game-based learning in the adult education sector, and what insights do they provide for practitioners and policymakers? How can educators and trainers effectively design and implement gamified and game-based learning experiences that align with adult learners' specific learning objectives and outcomes? How can gamified and game-based learning foster collaboration, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking among adult learners, and how do these skills translate into real-world applications within their respective fields or industries? About our Guest: ​Monica Cornetti works with individuals and organizations like yours who want to learn how to think playfully to change behaviors and achieve objectives. A gamification speaker and designer, Monica was repeatedly rated #1 among the “Gamification Gurus Power 100” by RISE from 2015-2020, and in 2021 and 2022 was recognized as #1 in the Most Influential Women in Gamification who created a legitimate impact in the gamification industry. Monica is the President of Sententia, Inc. and leads the company’s education and design projects at Sententia Gamification. She is also the Gamemaster of GamiCon (annual international conferences for the gamification of learning) and Head of Faculty at the Gamified Learning Academy. read more...

July 2023: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for this month's episode of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable, where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet our guest: Freedom Writers Founder Erin Gruwell

Today's Topic: The Power and Impact of Freedom Writers

About our Guest: ​Freedom Writers Founder Erin Gruwell — A teacher, author, and activist fighting for social justice for more than two decades, Erin first gained national attention in 1998 when she and her 150 students appeared on an ABC special–PrimeTime Live–with Connie Chung. Erin’s students – affectionately called the Freedom Writers – came from backgrounds of poverty, gangs, and violence, and many were at risk of dropping out of school due to the school-to-prison pipeline. But, under Erin’s guidance, all 150 Freedom Writers graduated from high school and pursued higher education. read more...

June 2023: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for this month's episode of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet our guest: Dr. Robert A. Alsop, president of Waldorf University

Today's Topic: Waldorf University's Master of Education in Social-Emotional Learning

About this episode: Waldorf has become a pioneer in online education for educators, offering four individual Master of Education programs for teachers and administrators who want to grow personally and professionally. The programs are fully online and have no set course times, so our students achieve their degrees on schedule. read more...

May 1, 2023: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for this month's episode of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet our guest: Amrit Ahluwalia, editor-in-chief at The EvoLLLution: A Modern Campus Illumination

Today's Topic: Bucking Enrollment Trends to Grow in a Challenging Environment

About this episode: The higher education space has experienced significant challenges since the pandemic, and we’re still adapting. Maintaining viability over the next decade means seeing learners through a new lens. It also means foundationally changing the way standard processes at every phase of the learner lifecycle need to evolve. From enrollment management and retention to learner engagement and communication to alumni engagement—a future-ready postsecondary institution needs to realign around student centricity and lifelong learning. In this podcast, Amrit will share ideas, strategies, and best practices colleges and universities across North America have implemented to ready themselves for an uncertain future. read more...

April 1, 2023: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for episode 7 of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable, where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet our guest: Jennifer Williams, Executive Director, Take Action Global and Transformational Leader in Education

Today's Topic: Get Ready for Change – Instructional Design Practices Through Meaningful Uses of Technology

About this episode: At the heart of innovation and social good are purpose, empathy, and a strong desire to make a positive difference in people's lives.” Join Distance and Digital Learning Specialist, global educator, and author Dr. Jennifer Williams for this interactive keynote session for distance learning organizations ready to activate positive change through engaging instructional design practices and meaningful uses of technology. Dr. Williams will share examples from her work in distance learning with schools and organizations worldwide from 149 countries and partnerships with the United Nations, the U.S. Department of State, the NYC Department of Education, LEGO, and Microsoft. Digital learning programs and tools will be modeled during the session for use in future-focused learning environments. Participants will leave with ready-to-go action plans to teach boldly and questions to consider in preparing for multiple futures and new shifts in teaching and learning. read more...

March 1, 2023: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for episode 6 of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable, where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet this month's guests — Kate Colbert and Joe Sallustio, authors of the hottest book to hit higher ed, Commencement

Today's Topic: The New Era of Education

Dean and Pat ask the authors: read more...

A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke— We invite you to tune in for this month's episode of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable, where for 30 minutes, industry experts come together to discuss the future of online education.

Today's Topic: How K-12 educators dealt with the pandemic and what the future of learning looks like for America's superintendents

Dean and Pat ask Peter:

Dean: Tell our viewers and listeners about the Falls Church Public City Schools. Can you give us a profile of the district and its student population? Pat: In our conversations with school districts across the country, the COVID pandemic was not something public and private K-12 schools were prepared for, especially in providing education in a virtual world. Can you tell us about your district experience and how you took on this monumental challenge ranging from students to teachers to parents? Dean: Did you have champions within your schools who could help others in this different type of teaching? Pat: Tell our audience about your district’s current use of educational technology post-pandemic, and you told us before the show about a unique use of distance learning for some of your students. Dean: Peter, you came from the teaching ranks before moving into administration and then being a superintendent. You started your career as a special ed teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and were named Teacher of the Year in 1993. Teaching in Special Ed requires a much more individualistic approach for the students. How did being a special ed teacher help you be a Superintendent and a leader? Pat: Peter, we would like to know your thoughts about the future of distance learning in the K-12 world both from an educational technology perspective and, more importantly, as a teaching tool About our Guest: ​After an extensive, nationwide search, the Falls Church City School Board selected Dr. Peter Noonan as the ninth Superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools in May 2017. read more...

January 2023: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for this month's episode of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable, where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet our guest: Lee Gambol, Distance Learning Coordinator at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Today's Topic: How Lee is embracing the idea of "Backslash Forward" by celebrating the past and embracing the future of distance learning read more...

December 2022: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for this month's episode of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable, where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet our guest: Dr. Jennie Sanders, Vice President of Faculty Experience and Academic Services at Western Governors University based in Salt Lake City, Utah

Today's Topic: How Western Governors University was ahead of the Pandemic Curve and how it continues that trend read more...

November 2022: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for this month's episode of our podcast and video show, Distance Learning Roundtable, where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Hello and welcome to the November episode of our monthly podcast and video show starring Elliott Masie, the founder of MASIE Innovations. Based in Saratoga Springs, NY, Elliott focused on how organizations can support learning and knowledge within the workforce. He leads the Learning COLLABORATIVE, which members include Amazon, Zoom, Bank of America, Subway, The Hartford, and others. He is a regular columnist and author of 12 books, including the ASTD/MASIE Center’s Big Learning Data, “Learning Pivots,” and “Empathy.” Elliott's professional focus has been on corporate learning, organizational performance, and emerging technology. He has developed models for accelerating the spread of knowledge, learning, and collaboration throughout organizations.​ Elliott is an advisor to a wide range of government, education, and non-profit groups. including the Department of Defense, served on the White House Advisory Council on Expanding Learning Opportunities, and as a CIA University Board of Visitors member. Elliott is also a Tony Nominated Broadway Producer. read more...

October 2022: A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, producer, Inkandescent Radio — Hello and welcome to the first episode of the Distance Learning Roundtable show on the Inkandescent Radio Network. As the show's producer, I am thrilled to introduce you to the hosts of our newest program — Distance Learning Roundtable, the podcast and video show where experts gather to discuss the future of online education.

Today you will meet the show’s hosts: Pat Cassella, the executive director of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), and Dean Hoke, managing partner of the international organization Edu Alliance. read more...