Oklahoma Distance Learning Association » Learning News

It’s time to start thinking about ODLA 2010 Awards

Kent Brooks — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:50:05 +0000

Hi Everyone, Although you may be on vacation please be thinking about ODLA Awards Nominations for 2010. The categories are as follows:

One award each is presented to a person and/or institution in the following categories:

a. K-12 schools.
b. Career Technology institutions.
c. Higher Education institutions.
d. Telemedicine/Healthcare.
e. Corporate Training.
f. Governmental Training.

• Innovative Use of New Technology and/or Delivery System
Summary: This award is presented to the institution that is nominated for innovative uses of a distance learning technology, telemedical application, or videoconferencing adopted by that institution within the last 24 months. Emphasis is placed on individuals or groups which apply this technology academically in unique ways that advance the learning potential of its learners.

• ODLA Lifetime Achievement Award
Summary: This award is presented to an individual that has made significant and continuous progress towards the mission of the Oklahoma Distance Learning Association since as early as 1994. Overall importance is placed on the academic contributions and distance learning advocacy performed by nominee.

• Best Practices Awards for Distance Learning Programming: Online or Synchronous
Summary: This award is presented to a learning institution, or unit within an institution, that develops a unique and/or rigorous distance learning program to benefit learners in any environment.

• Best Practices Awards for Distance Learning Teaching: Online or Synchronous
Summary: This award is presented to an individual that excels within recognized synchronous and/or asynchronous distance learning environments as a instructor or trainer.

• Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning
Summary: This award is presented to an individual that has demonstrated excellent leadership skills in the field of distance learning.

• Outstanding Development and Application of Technology in Support of Education in the Field of Distance Learning.
Summary: This award is devoted to a “behind-the-scenes” technician, instructional designer, faculty development instructor, professional development instructor, and/or engineer contributing to the operation of distance learning environments.

Nominations will be submitted to the Awards Committee and nominations will be due October15^th2010. Watch the ODLA website for more details!

Recognition Submission Form

ODLA Survey of Course Management Systems

Debbie Sanders — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:27:49 +0000

Hope you will take the time to fill out this very brief survey of the course management solution at your institution.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

OU K20 Seeking Technology Integration Specialist

Scott Charlson — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:17:24 +0000

University of Oklahoma K20 Center – Is seeking qualified applicants for a technology integration specialist to provide professional development for an Intelligent Classroom Project. The qualified applicant will have at least three (3) years experience with technology integration and be versed in the ISTE standards and research. The position may be a .75 Graduate Research Associate with tuition and benefits or 1.0 FTE employee. Interested candidates should send a resume to Dr. Jean Cate jcate [at] ou [dot] edu. For more information call 405-325-0547.

Austin MoodleMoot Aug 2 & 3

Kent Brooks — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:53:32 +0000

Martin Dougiamas, Moodle Founder and Lead Developer, will be delivering the Moot keynote presentation. He will be updating attendees on Moodle 2.0 and the future of Moodle. Click here for more info. http://www.moot-us.com/austin/

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

Huckeby to Become SCU President

Syndicated Columnist — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:02:10 +0000

Ed Huckeby, first director of Enid Higher Education Program, will be inaugurated today as president of Southwestern Christian University in Bethany.

Huckeby, who was chief academic and operating officer of Northeastern State University’s Broken Arrow campus, became SCU’s 11th president effective Jan. 4.

He is an Oklahoma native with degrees from East Central University and the University of Oklahoma. He received his doctor of education degree in administration from Oklahoma State University.

He also has served as dean of the graduate school at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

He is a member of the DaVinci Institute Board of Directors, served as executive director of Tulsa Ballet and is recognized internationally as a conductor and composer of more than 170 published and recorded works of symphonic band and wind ensemble music.

His inauguration ceremony will include prelude music, processional and recessional music that has been composed or arranged by Huckeby and subsequently published.

The processional, an arrangement of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Sine Nomine,” was written last year for the Northeastern State University presidential inauguration.

“It is a really unique honor that the same processional arrangement is being used this year for my inauguration,” he said.

Accredited by Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Southwestern Christian University is a Christian liberal arts university.

http://enidnews.com/localnews/x1989604417/Huckeby-to-become-SCU-president-today

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