National Distance Learning Week Starts Today

United States Distance Learning Association holds 2008 National Distance Learning Week to generate broader awareness and appreciation for distance learning.Throughout the week, USDLA members will hold free webinars, sponsored by Elluminate, Inc., and Wimba, Inc., covering a range of distance learning topics including PreK-12 and home schooling, corporate, military and government, telehealth and future trends. A detailed schedule is online at: www.ndlw.org.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) November 10, 2008 -- The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) will hold the 2008 National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), November 10 -14, 2008. NDLW is an initiative that will generate broader awareness and appreciation for distance learning within the areas of pre-k-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling, as well as business, corporate, military, government, and telehealth markets.

"National Distance Learning Week provides everyone across a wide variety of markets to witness the transformational power this emerging market holds and to celebrate the changes it is bringing to education. As this industry grows, as a community we are improving students' access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, connecting higher education students globally to the best content and transforming the lives and careers of working adults," says Julie Young, President, USDLA and President & Chief Executive Officer, Florida Virtual School.

Throughout the week, USDLA members will hold free webinars, sponsored by Elluminate, Inc., and Wimba, Inc., covering a range of distance learning topics including PreK-12 and home schooling, corporate, military and government, telehealth and future trends. A detailed schedule is online at: www.ndlw.org.

"We are truly on the edge of something great and NDLW will provide students, educators and business leaders with a look into the crystal ball and see how the dynamic new segment of the education market is leading change," said Dr. John G. Flores, CEO of the USDLA (www.usdla.org). "We invite everyone to celebrate NDLW with us and participate in the free webinars covering all aspects of the distance learning industry."

Already a multi-billion dollar industry, distance learning is the fastest growing segment of the education market. Commercial and government markets around the world recognize how distance learning, education and training makes a strategic contribution to achieving organizational performance objectives, leveraging talent and resources, and implementing and preserving institutional knowledge. According to USDLA and its research, partners the following trends are in full swing.

•    90% fully online students aged 25 or older, 20% of adult students are online

•    Geography matters in online higher education and will matter more in future.

•    1.5 million 100% online students, representing approximately 8.5% of all students at US degree-granting, Title IV eligible schools and 20% of adult students,

•    Certain 100% online schools are strategically securing licensure in multiple states/ potential state regulation liability of online delivery cannot be dismissed.

•     Student preference for 100% online delivery stable, consumer tradeoffs between preference and practicality suggests strong market growth potential.

"Employers increasingly cite distance learning as a key to increased employee satisfaction and retention and expect the role of distance learning to increase in their organizations within the next two or three years" says Dr. Kenneth E. Hartman, academic director of Drexel University Online (www.drexel.com) and National NDLW Committee Chairman.

USDLA defines distance learning as the acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction, encompassing all technologies and other forms of learning at a distance. NDLW was also highlighted in the most recent issue of "Distance Learning Today," a USDLA sponsored quarterly supplement that appears in USA TODAY's top-tier markets for distance learning - major commuter hubs, convention centers and hotels.

For more information regarding activities for NDLW, contact Dr. Kenneth Hartman, national committee chair, at 1.215.895.0501 or visit www.ndlw.org.

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