UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 24, Page 1
March 14, 1996
UD distance learning earns national award

     The University has been selected to receive the Most Outstanding
Achievement in Higher Education award from the United States Distance
Learning Association (USDLA) for "extraordinary achievements through
distance education."
     The award will be presented March 19 to the University at the
International Distance Learning Conference in Washington, D.C. Richard
Fischer, associate provost, continuing education, will be present to
accept the award.
     According to Fischer, "The award recognizes the University's
development over the last six years of a comprehensive distance-
learning program involving 28 academic departments, two degree
programs, 1,722 enrollments in 12 states and the use of multiple
technologies including videotable, cable, satellite, compressed video
and interactive television."
     In any one semester, Fischer said, more than 10 percent of the
University's 800 full-time faculty are teaching in video or distance-
learning environments.
     "The University has generated a dramatic increase in distance
learning," Fischer said, "going from virtually no involvement six
years ago to its present comprehensive program."
     The University's FOCUS distance-learning program, has shown
excellent growth, Fischer said, and there has been invaluable
cooperation among staff in the Colleges of Nursing, Arts and Science,
Engineering and Human Resources, as well as University Media Services
and the Division of Continuing Education.
     Some of the results of the joint effort include:
        * Investment of more than $1.5 million in five automated,
          state-of-the art television classrooms,
        * Establishment of a distance-learning undergraduate degree
          completion program for registered nurses,
        * Ongoing faculty development in distance-learning and video
          teaching,
        * Establishment of a distance-learning degree completion
          program in hotel, restaurant and institutional management,
        * Development of consortium agreements with Mind/Extension
          University, the National University Technology Network and
          the Delaware Valley Distance Learning Consortium,
        * Production of nearly 100 distance-learning courses offered
          in 28 different academic departments,
        * Establishment of two-way, interactive connections to
          Georgetown and Lewes,
        * Production of broadcast-quality "edumercials,"
        * Approval by the Faculty Senate of policies regarding video-
          produced courses and
        * Extensive, regular faculty involvement in video/distance-
          learning instruction.

     Fischer described the University's achievements as "an excellent
example of effective use of distance learning in a higher education
environment."
     Regarding the recognition, Margaret Andersen, vice provost for
academic affairs, said, "This is fine recognition of the University's
work and commitment in the area of distance education and the hard
work of many people who have put these diverse programs together."
     Formed in 1987, the USDLA has more than 2,000 members and
chapters in all 50 states. It is considered the premiere association
in the field of distance learning and has expanded its international
role by holding annual meetings in Europe and Asia.
     USDLA's overall purpose is to promote the development and
application of distance learning for education training. Its
constituents include educators in grades K through 12 as well as those
in higher education, continuing education and corporate, military and
government training.
     The association has become the leading source of information and
recommendations for government agencies, the U.S. Congress, industry
and those entering the development of distance learning.
                                                         -Ed Okonowicz