USDLA 2011 International Awards Presented for Excellence in Distance Learning for Individuals, Organizations and Companies Honoring Their Outstanding Achievements

World's most prestigious distance learning awards were presented yesterday in St. Louis, Missouri for excellence in distance learning to individuals, organizations and companies.

St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) May 04, 2011

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) presented its 2011 International Distance Learning Awards in conjunction with the 2011 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. USDLA is a 501(c) 3 non-profit association, founded in 1987, as the nation’s leading distance learning organization. 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 Practice, Best Practice for Distance Learning Programming, Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching, Outstanding Leadership by an Individual, Hall of Fame and Eagle Awards.

The USDLA International Awards are closely followed by the distance learning industry. "As a premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, we enjoy honoring some of the leaders in the industry," said Dr. John G. Flores, Executive Director of USDLA. "Each year these winners raise the bar and exceed best practice expectations for the industry as a whole and we are truly honored by their contributions to the distance learning industry."

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.

“USDLA takes great pride and responsibility in recognizing excellence and quality that benefit the entire industry. Through distance learning, education, and training we can provide access to the world's best award winning opportunities for school children, connect higher education students globally and transform the lives and careers of working adults. We are truly on the edge of something great and these winners clearly demonstrate and confirm the transformative powers of distance learning globally," said Dr. Denzil Edge, President of USDLA.

For the 2011 International Awards program, USDLA focused upon several major areas that exemplify the dynamic nature of distance learning. Please join us in honoring the following 2011 USDLA Award Winners, which include the following:

BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMING

PLATINUM
Rosetta Stone
Online Technology ~ Higher Education/Corporate

GOLD
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Learning University
and Booz Allen Hamilton
Online Technology ~ Government/Corporate

Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome
Professional Development Program
Rockefeller College, University at Albany
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

SILVER
CILC’s KC3 (Kids Creating Community Content)
Videoconferencing ~ Pre K-12

Naval War College, College of Distance Education
Online Technology ~ Government/Military

Connections Academy Earth Science Course
Online Technology ~ Pre K – 12

Master of Business Administration, University of Maryland University College
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

BRONZE
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Independent Study High School
Online Technology ~ High School

e2020, Inc. – Virtual Classroom Suite
Online Technology ~ Middle/High School

Office of Distance Education (ODE) - Department of Humanities
Videoconferencing ~ Pre K-12

BEST PRACTICES AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN DISTANCE LEARNING TEACHING

PLATINUM
Dr. Les Pang, University of Maryland University College
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

GOLD
Dr. Cheryl Murphy, University of Arkansas
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Jenni Deacon, Office of Distance Education
Videoconferencing ~ Pre K-12

Barbara Hallums, Wilson County School System
Online Technology ~ Pre K – 12

SILVER
Kathy Craven, Full Sail University
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

BRONZE
Andrew Rosman and Roger Travis, University of Connecticut
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Jody Kennedy, White Plains City Schools
Videoconferencing ~ PreK-12

Trudy Abadie, Savannah College of Art and Design
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Dr. John D. Scott, University of Washington School of Medicine
Videoconferencing ~ Higher Education

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP BY AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE FIELD OF DISTANCE LEARNING

Raymond Michael Lambert, Ohio Connections Academy
Online Technology ~ Pre K – 12

Dr. Stella Porto, University of Maryland University College
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Irena Bojanova, Ph.D., University of Maryland University College
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Dr. Philip A. Schmidt, Western Governors University
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Joe Pokropski, Thomson Reuters Knowledge Network
Online Technology ~ Corporate

Isis P. Jones, Full Sail University
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

21ST CENTURY AWARDS FOR BEST PRACTICES IN DISTANCE LEARNING

Full Sail University
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Stevens Institute of Technology – WebCampus Division
Online Technology and Pedagogy ~ Higher Education

Connections Academy, LLC.
Online Technology ~ Pre K – 12

Boston University Office of Distance Education
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

VIT
Videoconferencing ~ Institutional

Western Governors University
Online Technology ~ Higher Education

Polycom, Inc.
Telepresence ~ Corporate

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Online Technology ~ Pre K – 12

USDLA 2011 HALL OF FAME
G A Redding of Redding Associates has spanned more than 20 plus years. GA's accomplishments and contributions have contributed immeasurably in laying the foundation for distance learning in the Department of Defense (DoD). Beginning in 1986, GA was instrumental in developing the system standards and architecture for the emerging video teleconferencing (VTC) products being deployed in the DoD. The use of VTC in the DoD resulted in a new era in distance learning within the military. Additionally, he was involved in establishing the DoD Total Force Distance Learning Action Team and supported the establishment of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative which created the standards for interoperability between learning management systems (LMS).

USDLA 2011 EAGLE AWARD
The Eagle Award is presented to a nationally recognized public official that has demonstrated unique leadership in the public policy arena and has a long-standing record of educational technology support as well as the support of the USDLA mission, which includes serving the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. This year USDLA recognized the Honorable Robert E. Andrews from New Jersey for his commitment to providing greater educational opportunities within his state and for the United States of America as a whole.

Reggie Smith III, Chair of USDLA Board of Directors noted that, “This year’s award winners represent many of the most innovative leaders in the field of distance learning.” He continued, “I also look forward to seeing these leaders again during National Distance Learning Week (http://www.ndlw.org), November 7-11, 2011.”

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. 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. 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. http://www.usdla.org

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