Oklahoma Distance Learning Association » Steve Cade

Fall 2010 Conference

Steve Cade — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:11:30 +0000

The ODLA Fall Conference will be held at Rose State College on November 12, 2010 from 8:00AM to 4:30PM.

If you are interested in presenting a talk please follow this link.

If you are interested in exhibiting your wares please follow this link.

SuperInstitutional Member?

Steve Cade — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:03:54 +0000

ODLA now has an additional membership category for larger employers. The SuperInstitution provides membership benefits for 10 representatives. Employers may choose and rechoose which employees are members as they deem fit.

Distance learning programs gain popularity in Oklahoma | NewsOK.com

Steve Cade — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:22:58 +0000

Distance learning programs gain popularity in Oklahoma

Distance learning programs have skyrocketed at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma in recent years. Distance learning can make earning a degree more accessible to working or nontraditional students.

BY DARLA SLIPKE 0

Published: June 26, 2010

Kimberley McDaniel, a 2009 University of Oklahoma graduate, didn’t meet many of her professors and classmates until graduation.

Distance learning courses allowed McDaniel, a mother of three, to go back to school at the age of 40 while working full-time. She attended classes from her car during a weekend getaway to Branson, Mo., or from her home in Noble while wearing pajamas after eight hours at work.

Many more students are choosing to take classes partially or entirely online, officials at OU and Oklahoma State University said. Advances in technology and an increasingly diverse student body has caused enrollment in distance learning classes and programs to skyrocket during recent years, officials said.

Convenience offered

Online learning offers flexibility and convenience for students who want to earn their degree without disrupting their work schedule or other life responsibilities.

Alyssa Steele, a junior in marketing at OSU, takes at least one online course each semester.

She enjoys the convenience because she works 25 to 30 hours a week. Steele can listen to lectures on her iPod while walking to class or exercising.

“I really like it, but I know they’re not for everyone,” Steele said. “It depends on the person and their personality and learning style.”

A national review team recently ranked three of OSU’s business degree programs that are offered via distance learning among the top 10 in the nation for combining quality and affordability.

Forty-five of the 163 graduates who earned master’s degrees from the Spears School of Business this spring earned their degrees through distance learning rather than traditional classroom instruction, according to information provided by the university.

During the past two years, enrollment in distance learning courses offered through the business school has increased from 2,860 to 6,160, said Shona Gambrell, a distance learning program manager.

OU has experienced “phenomenal” growth in demand for online programs, said James Pappas, vice president of University Outreach and dean of the school’s College of Liberal Studies.

The majority of students who enroll in the College of Liberal Studies take online courses. Many are nontraditional students, like McDaniel.

Classes are challenge

Distance learning students must manage their time well and be self-motivated, Pappas said.

“Many people make a wrong assumption that online education is easier,” Pappas said. “It really is very demanding.”

Online instructors said connecting with students can be more challenging in a virtual classroom.

Marilyn Kletke, who teaches online courses at OSU, reaches out to her distance learning students in a variety of ways.

E-mails from her online students go to a special folder marked “top priority.” Kletke starts her day by checking e-mails from students each morning about 5 a.m. She continues to respond to e-mails throughout the day until about 9 p.m.

“I’m just so happy that we’re able to serve the students better, because students’ needs are way different than they were 25 years ago,” Kletke said.

McDaniel now works as a recruitment specialist for the College of Liberal Studies at OU — the school that “turned my life around,” she said. Without the flexibility it offers, McDaniel said she would not have finished her degree.

“There are so many people out there just like me who have yet to hear,” McDaniel said. “I hope that I can be the one that tells them about it.”

Oklahoma law sets criteria for educators’ performance ratings | NewsOK.com

Steve Cade — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:36:21 +0000

BY ANDREA EGER – Tulsa World 2

Published: June 10, 2010

Teachers and principals across Oklahoma will soon have to make the grade on a new five-point rating system or risk losing their jobs.

More Info

EvaluationsRatings: Superior, Highly Effective, Effective, Needs Improvement or Ineffective.

Breakdown: Based on 50 percent quantitative measurements, of which 35 percentage points is to be based on student academic growth and 15 percentage points is to be based on other academic measurements; and 50 percent qualitative measurements.

For teachers: That includes organizational and classroom management skills, ability to provide effective instruction, focus on continuous improvement and professional growth, interpersonal skills and leadership skills.

For school leaders: That includes organizational and school management, instructional leadership, professional growth and responsibility, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, and stakeholder perceptions.

Source:

Senate Bill 2033

Gov. Brad Henry recently signed into law Senate Bill 2033, or the Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Act, which calls for a new system of evaluating public school educators to be in place no later than December 2011.

The Oklahoma Education Association supported the legislation, which was written to strengthen the state’s chances in a federal education grant competition called Race to the Top.

But local teachers union leaders say they didn’t sign off on a letter of support for the state’s latest Race to the Top application, in large part because of their concerns about the new statewide evaluation system.

Click here to read the complete article at Tulsaworld.com

ASU plans big change in teacher training

Steve Cade — Fri, 21 May 2010 19:49:52 +0000

In a quest to turn out better teachers, Arizona State University is shaking up its training program for K-12 educators, requiring students to take more courses in subjects they will teach and fewer on how to teach and understand children.

Norman schools begin planning for $7.9 million classroom technology upgrade

Steve Cade — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:55:21 +0000

Norman School Board approves contract that will supply more than 1,000 smartboards, projection equipment, cameras and other educational technology items

Langston University Professor Running for President in Liberia

Steve Cade — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:11:23 +0000

Langston University Professor Running for President in Liberia – NewsOn6.com

Online study is way of life at Crescent High School | NewsOK.com

Steve Cade — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:13:47 +0000

The state Education Board toured Crescent High School on Thursday to learn how the school has gotten rid of traditional textbooks in favor of an Internet-based digital curriculum.

“At times we hit bumps in the road,” Crescent Public Schools Superintendent Steve Shiever said.

via Online study is way of life at Crescent High School | NewsOK.com.

USDLA Elects 2009-2010 President

Steve Cade — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:41:35 +0000

Reggie Smith III, Ascends to the Presidency of the World’s Premier Distance Learning Association.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) November 12, 2009 — The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) recently elected Reggie Smith III as President of the Association. The non-profit organization, formed in 1987, promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training, and serves the needs of the distance learning community globally. With this ascendency to the Presidency of USDLA, Reggie Smith becomes the first African-American member to assume this vaulted position. Earlier in the year Smith also received national recognition by receiving the 2009 Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) for Community Service.

“We welcome Reggie Smith as our new president. Reggie brings knowledge and a level of acumen that will assist the association in its continued efforts to promote the development and application of distance learning,” said Dr. John G. Flores, USDLA Executive Director.

Reggie Smith currently works for Booz Allen Hamilton and has been involved in distance education since 1991 along with serving on several committees for USDLA since joining the board of directors in 2004. Smith, who has worked as a deputy director of Learning Technologies for Alion Science & Technology and vice president of operations for Magicsoft, is also a recognized authority on media and telecommunications issues, having received numerous awards and served as keynote or presenter at several national and international conferences, including VIRTUAL EDUCA International Conference, the e-Learning Conference & Expo, the TeleCon East, West & European Expos and the 22nd Annual Black Media Coalition’s Conference.

“Being the first African-American president to the Board of Directors of the United States Distance Learning Association, shows that USDLA understands the value in diversity and what it can contribute to its longevity,” said Smith. “My background has enabled me to understand the total picture not just the technical perspective because it is not just about the technology but how it enables user communities to connect the dots and truly harness the knowledge continuum globally.”

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. 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. To learn more about USDLA, visit http://www.usdla.org.

About Booz Allen
Booz Allen Hamilton has been at the forefront of strategy and technology consulting for more than 90 years. Every day, government agencies, institutions, corporations, and infrastructure organizations rely on the firm’s expertise and objectivity, and on the combined capabilities and dedication of its exceptional people to find solutions and seize opportunities. Booz Allen combines a consultant’s unique problem-solving orientation with deep technical knowledge and strong execution to help clients achieve success in their most critical missions. Providing a broad range of services in strategy, operations, organization and change, information technology, systems engineering, and program management, Booz Allen is committed to delivering results that endure.
To learn more about the firm, visit http://www.boozallen.com.

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About USDLA
The United States Distance Learning Association is a non-profit organization formed in 1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 education 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.www.usdla.org

SKC You’re Invited!

Steve Cade — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:59:08 +0000

We look forward to seeing you at the Oklahoma Distance Learning Association Conference

To show our appreciation, please join SKC Account Executive Greg Maniss and SKC VP of Sales Todd Vincent for dinner during your stay.

WHEN:
Thursday, November 12th, 2009

WHERE:
McNellies Public House
409 E. 1st St.
Tulsa, OK 74120

Traditional Irish Public Houses are known as the neighborhood gathering place for everything and everyone! Known as the focal point for the community, we’d like to invite you to join us for dinner and drinks at McNeilles Public House in Tulsa during the ODLA Fall Conference. McNeilles serves up fresh entrees suitable for all kinds of appetites, and beverages from around the world. We hope that you will join us. Cheers!

TIME:
Dinner at 5:00pm

If you have any questions, please contact SKC account executive Greg Maniss at greg [dot] maniss [at] skccom [dot] com.