OTAN News

National Distance Learning Week 2019 Begins

National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), sponsored by the US Distance Learning Association (USDLA), is November 4 to 8. The purpose of National Distance Learning Week is “...to generate greater awareness and appreciation for distance learning, including K-12, Higher Education, Corporate and Military, while recognizing leaders and best practices in the field;” the goal during the week is “for schools, colleges, and corporations to conduct local events during NDLW to celebrate and promote the field of online learning.”

Distance learning has been a regular feature of adult education for a number of years. According to the US Department of Education, distance education is education that uses one or more technologies, including the internet, audio-conferencing, and one-way and two-way transmissions via a number of telecommunications mechanisms, to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor, either synchronously or asynchronously. Many adult ed agencies offer distance learning as a part of their instructional programs to meet the needs of their students who are not able to regularly attend face-to-face courses due to work, family, health, and other personal reasons.

During National Distance Learning Week, USDLA is offering a number of free webinars on a variety of distance learning topics. You can sign up for these webinars on the USDLA NDLW Webpage. The USDLA website is also a good resource for additional information about distance learning; you can learn more on the USDLA Resources Webpage.

NDLW is a great time to celebrate your distance learning achievements and evaluate next steps for increasing distance learning options for your students. If you need more assistance with distance learning at your adult ed agency, please contact OTAN at support@otan.us or call us at 916-228-2580.