USDLA 2015 International Awards Presented
St. Louis, MO (USA), May 2015 - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) presented its 2015 International Distance Learning Awards in conjunction with the 2015 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1987, USDLA is a 501(c) 3 non-profit association, and one of the nation's leading distance-learning organizations. 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.
These prestigious international awards are presented annually to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance-learning programs. Included in the recognition ceremony were awards for 21st Century Best Practices, Best Practices for Distance Learning Programming, Best Practices for Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching, Outstanding Leadership by an Individual, and Hall of Fame.
The USDLA International Awards are closely followed by the distance-learning community. "As a premier organization for the entire distance-learning profession, USDLA enjoys honoring leaders within the industry," said Dr. John G. Flores, Executive Director of USDLA and Program Professor at Nova Southeastern University. "Each year these recognized leaders raise the bar and exceed best-practice expectations for the industry as a whole. We are truly honored by their contributions within all distance learning constituencies."
The USDLA Awards were created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance-learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite, and blended-learning delivery technologies.
"This year's USDLA Awards recipients represent the finest examples of online courses, best practices, and leadership in our field. The depth and breadth of the USDLA membership allows us to engage with leaders from higher education, K-12, industry, military, and government who daily demonstrate the power of distance learning. We are so very proud and excited to be able to recognize this level of excellence," said Elaine Shuck, President of USDLA.
For the 2015 International Awards program, USDLA focused upon several major areas that exemplify the dynamic nature of distance learning. Please join us in honoring the following 2015 USDLA Award Winners, which include the following:
BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMING
PLATINUM
Boston University Metropolitan College
Department of Computer Science
MET CS 546 Quantitative Methods for Information Systems
Online Technology ~ Higher Education
GOLD
Excelsior College
OWL Team: Crystal Sands, Michelle Abeyta, and Darren Walsh
Online Technology ~ Higher Education
SILVER
Connections Education LLC
Professional Learning Model
Online Technology ~ K-12 Education
BRONZE
K12
AP Exam Prep Apps
Online Technology ~ K-12 Education
BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN DISTANCE LEARNING TEACHING
PLATINUM
Oiada International
Videoconferencing ~ K-12 Education
GOLD
Carrie A. Jones, FACS Teacher, Mountain Heights Academy
Online Technology ~ K-12 Education
SILVER
Professor Ruth Barrow, Instructor &
Alexandre Strzyzewski, Senior Instructional Designer
Miami Dade College, Virtual College
Online Technology ~ Higher Education
BRONZE
Dr. Szu-Yen (Neal) Liang, University of Texas at Arlington
Online Technology ~ Higher Education
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP BY AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE FIELD OF DISTANCE LEARNING
Dr. Jan Jones-Schenk, Western Governors University
Online Technology ~ Higher Education
Darren Walsh, Excelsior College
Online Technology ~ Higher Education
Dr. Patricia Hoge, Connections Education LLC
Online Technology ~ K-12 Education
21ST CENTURY AWARDS FOR BEST PRACTICES IN DISTANCE LEARNING
Western Governors University
Online Technology~ Higher Education
University of Central Florida, Center for Distributed Learning
Online Technology ~ Higher Education
Steven Institute of Technology, WebCampus
Online Technology ~ Higher Education
USDLA 2015 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Dr. Badrul Huda Khan
McWeadon Education
Dr. Pamela Quinn
LeCroy Center at Dallas County Community College
Ms. Jenny Jopling, Chair of USDLA Board of Directors noted, "This year's award winners represent many of the most innovative leaders in the field of distance learning." She continued, "I also look forward to seeing these leaders again during National Distance Learning Week, 09-13 November 2015."
