Tuesday 11/28: USDLA News
Public Policy Week is on the horizon (Jan. 16-18)
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Happy Tuesday, USDLA friends! We hope you all had a wonderfully warm and delicious Thanksgiving holiday.
This week we share more details about our first annual Public Policy Week, Jan. 16-18, including a Q&A with Alexandra Salas, chair of the committee spearheading this event. Scroll down for that and also to meet four of the speakers who will be presenting at our educational, informative online event.
Upcoming webinars: Today, we also bring details about upcoming webinars we know you will want to attend, including our Free Friday series: December 6 and December 8. You’ll find information about two events being hosted by our colleagues at the Northeast Digital Learning Association (NEDLA) on Nov. 29 and Dec. 12. Scroll down for more.
We’ll reach out again on Thursday with our USDLA Brief. Until then, have a beautiful week! — Hope Katz Gibbs, USDLA Communications Director
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Q&A with Alexandra Salas, chair of the USDLA Public Policy Committee
USDLA: Alex, you have been heading up the Public Policy Committee for several years. Could you tell us about this program and why it is so important that USDLA advocates for best practices in distance learning?
Alexandra: I became chair of the public policy committee this year, and I’m delighted to be working with a wonderful group of education professionals to advance the conversation about critical policy issues affecting education, including but not limited to AI, college affordability, economic and workforce development, micro-credential, accreditation, broadband access, and K-12 funding.
USDLA: Tell us about some of your initiatives for the Public Policy Committee 2024, including our first Public Policy Week event on January 16-18.
Alexandra: The committee is focused on engaging with USDLA members to learn about their policy concerns as well as communicating expert perspectives on key policy issues.
USDLA: Our speakers include a range of prominent policy experts.
Alexandra: Absolutely! The guest speakers booked for our first Public Policy Week include higher education and education technology professionals and thought leaders who will share their expertise on topics ranging from AI in higher ed to the challenges for today’s Pre-K teacher workforce. I am so excited not just to facilitate their presentations, but to be a student taking notes!
USDLA: The event is free for USDLA members to register. How can they register?
Alexandra: Learn more about the upcoming Public Policy lineup and register here — usdla.org/2024-ppw.
USDLA: Thank you so much for your hard work and insights running this committee, Alexandra! As a USDLA Board Member, you have spent countless hours organizing Public Policy Week, and also helping our members become advocates for distance learning at local, state, and national levels. We look forward to another great year!
About Alexandra Salas: When she isn’t running the Public Policy Committee for USDLA, Alexandra is the Vice President for Digital Learning & Innovation at Neumann University. Previously, she was the Dean of the Division of Innovation, Teaching, Digital Learning Excellence & Education Support Services at Delaware County Community College. Click here to connect with Alexandra on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexandrasalas
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USDLA PUBLIC POLICY WEEK GUIDE
January 16-18, 2024
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Tuesday, January 16
Noon-1pm EST
AI and Higher Education
Presenter: Rob Robinson, Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives, Anthology
About Rob: A highly skilled technologist, strategist, and trainer, Rob gleans business insights from artificial intelligence and machine learning-driven analytics to implement effective change management initiatives at scale. Proven expertise at building consensus for strategic plans and new initiatives predominantly through training and learning development opportunities that bring everyone from faculty and staff to executive level administrators and stakeholders into alignment. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn.
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Wednesday, January 17
Noon-1pm EST
Policy Outlook on Economic & Workforce Development
Presenter: Michael Edmondson, Associate Provost for Continued Learning, New Jersey Institute of Technology
About Michael: With 30 years of professional experience in for-profit and non-profit organizations, Dr. Edmondson has held three concurrent positions at New Jersey City University (NJCU): Dean of Professional Education and Lifelong Learning, Dean at the College of Professional Studies and Founding Campus Director of NJCU @ Fort Monmouth. Due to his outstanding contributions to Monmouth County while serving as the Campus Director of NJCU @ Fort Monmouth, the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce presented him with its 2022 Distinguished Leadership Award, and the Philadelphia Empowerment Group presented him with its Entrepreneurship Inspiration Award. Learn more here: michaeledmondsonphd.com
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Wednesday, January 17
2-3pm EST
The PreK-12 Teacher Workforce
Presenter: Ryan Wise, Dean of the Drake University School of Education
About Ryan: As dean of the Drake University School of Education since April 2020, Ryan was the Iowa Department of Education director from July 2015 through March 2020. He led with an emphasis on working together as an education system to make Iowa’s schools where adults can collaborate, and students can thrive. He made it a priority to stay connected to Iowa schools and visited 240 school districts statewide. Named Policy Leader of the Year by the National Association of State Boards of Education in 2017, he has worked in education at the local, state, national, and international levels. Ryan began his career as a high school history teacher in Mississippi and Nebraska before moving to South Dakota to launch and lead Teach for America on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations. He also worked to eliminate educational inequity around the world as one of the founding staff members of Teach for All, a global network of education entrepreneurs. He earned a doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification in history and social studies from Creighton University. Learn more here: https://www.drake.edu.
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Thursday, January 18
Noon-1pm EST
Policy Perspectives on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Presenter: Melissa Ash, MS, Associate Dean of Administration
About Melissa: Known to her colleagues and friends as Mash, Melissa started her journey with the IIRP in 2014 when she enrolled in graduate school. Previously enrolled in a master’s program for school counseling, she realized she longed for a field more focused on community connection and decided to redirect her future. Following the completion of her Master of Science in Restorative Practices, she primarily applied her knowledge in the fields of higher education and civic engagement. As the Associate Dean of Administration for the IIRP, Melissa supports the organization through planning and implementing institutional processes, guiding long-range strategic and operational plans, and addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to continually enhance organizational culture.
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USDLA WEBINAR GUIDE
Register now for USDLA’s Free Friday Webinars, and also check out events being hosted by our partners and sponsors
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Wednesday, November 29
6pm EST
Moving Beyond Email in 2024 Presented by Zach Magnum, co-founder and CEO of Pronto
Hosted by our distance learning colleagues at the Northeast Digital Learning Association (NEDLA).
About the webinar: The time of reaching students by email has passed. Institutions and faculty need to keep pace with the way in which students have grown increasingly opinionated about how they communicate, with whom, and when. Creating and supporting digital spaces for students to connect inside and outside the classroom can be a powerful mechanism for establishing direct lines of communication, engagement, and even belonging. In this webinar, we will dive deep into today’s students’ technology adoption and usage patterns and share statistics regarding students’ adoption of legacy communications tools such as email, phone, and SMS. We will conclude the webinar with a demo of the Pronto platform and how nearly 300 institutions are leveraging it to reach more students, connect their learning, and elevate engagement.
Register here: nedla.org
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Wednesday, December 6
1-2pm EST
Al Pisano teaches us about being AI Educated
About the session: Join us for this engaging presentation to explore the real-world implementation of AI in education. This presentation provides educators with practical knowledge about AI education and its potential transformative impact. Learn about AI fundamentals, using AI as an instructional tool for personalized learning, reimagining assessment with AI, ethical considerations for student use of AI, and administrative uses of AI for streamlining tasks and decision-making processes.
About the presenter: Al Pisano is a versatile professional with extensive experience in the education and corporate sectors. He is a presenter, thought leader, author, innovator, entrepreneur, administrator, curriculum developer, and consultant. With a background in K-12 and higher education, Al has created and taught numerous programs and courses in educational leadership, technology, business, and more. He has also established successful businesses focused on leadership development and program design. Al has collaborated with influential stakeholders at companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon and is a published author of The Collective Mindset: A Roadmap for Continuous Innovation and Mindful Change. His breadth of experience allows him to provide valuable perspective and insight in various domains.
Register here: usdla.org/webinars
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Friday, December 8
1-2pm EST
Jenny Gordon explains: Reframing Assessment: Using video for feedback and authenticity
About the session: Traditional assessment methods often fall short in capturing students’ true abilities and fostering authentic learning experiences. In this webinar, Jenny will explore innovative approaches to assessment in education. Join us to discover how video can provide a richer and more holistic understanding of student performance. Learn about the benefits of incorporating video assessment into teaching practices and how it can empower students to showcase their skills and knowledge in a meaningful way. This webinar is a must-attend for educators, instructional designers, and anyone interested in transforming assessment strategies to better align with the demands of today’s educational landscape.
About the presenter: In her role at GoReact, Jenny leads the company’s strategic and tactical efforts to expand into new markets, bringing skills-based learning through the adoption of video feedback and assessment to new users all around the world. Jenny has worked within all phases of education to successfully implement educational technology solutions intended to improve learning outcomes for 20 years. Having onboarded more than 2,000 schools in London as part of the government’s personalized learning agenda, Jenny went on to work with K12, FE, and HE institutions throughout the UK, Scandinavia, and Central Europe, creating the largest community network on a single LMS. Joining Pearson Education in 2009, Jenny was recognized as a Future Leader before heading up the digital platforms’ revenue and marketing teams. Jenny spent five years developing e-learning content and solutions for learners in Africa, building solutions for hard-to-reach communities while enabling governments and major donors to measure learning impact over time. Jenny was honored by Impact Network for work done to improve learning opportunities in Zambia in 2019. Jenny’s passion for learning and the industry continues to be synonymous with her work.
Register here: usdla.org/webinars
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Tuesday, December 12
6pm EST
“Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Create a Classroom to Support All Learning,” featuring Kathryn Nieves Licwinko, Ed.D
Hosted by the Northeast Digital Learning Association (NEDLA)
About the webinar: In this session, we will review how artificial intelligence can be used to support the diverse learning needs of students. We will discuss different prompts and techniques for the open AI platforms that incorporate the Universal Design for Learning framework and principles of differentiation and personalized learning. The strategies will address how to make content, instructional design and activities, and assessment accessible and more inclusive of student needs and interests. Participants will walk away with AI prompts that they can immediately use in the planning process, as well as strategies for supporting learners in the classroom.
Register here: nedla.org
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| Thank You to Our National Sponsors
D2L, Instructure, JDL Horizons, Poly, Google, Verizon, Edu Alliance Group, Harmonize, FDLA, IAP, IPX, Nearpod, ViewSonic, Wolfvision, Anatomage, Arizona Telemedicine Program and Southwest Telehealth Resource Center, GoReact, Huddly, BocaVox, Softchalk, NC Sara, Simple Syllabus, VDO360, VirtualCare, Waldorf University, Merlot, IntelliBoard, Flo-ops, Upswing, Questionmark, Perlego, Padlet
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| Thank you for supporting USDLA, our Sponsors, and our State Chapters.
Chuck Sengstock, President
Valary Oleinik, President-elect
About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
The USDLA, a 501(c) 3 non-profit association formed in 1987, reaches 20,000 people globally with sponsors and members operating in and influencing 46% of the $913 billion. 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, home schooling, higher education, and continuing education, as well as business, corporate, military, government, and telehealth markets. Visit USDLA.org
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