Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) ~ Online Education
- A site that contains lots of information concerning a project that is studying the online teaching-learning processes. Included is the following: Documentation, research and development projects, Web-forums, other resources, discussion and information on effective instructional strategies for Web-based learning and comparing traditional practices to the emerging online educational environments.
Distance Learning Resource Network
The Distance Learning Resource Network (DLRN), located at WestEd (non-profit education research agency), is the dissemination project for the U.S. Department of Education Star Schools Program. It is a very organized and thorough Website with the following pages: About Distance Learning; About Star Schools; Finding other Distance Learning; Programs; Web Based Instruction; News & Publications; Literature Reviews & Reports; and, Other Resources.
Institute for Distance Education
The I.D.E., based in University System of Maryland, promotes research, design and implementation of distance education programs. Their mission: "to foster the highest possible quality in design, development, delivery, and evaluation of distance education programs to meet the needs of learners throughout the state." Interesting topics include: (1) What is Distance Education?; (2) Distance learning technologies; (3) Distance learning in K-12 education; (4) Distance learning in the workplace; (5) Distance learning any time of your life; and (6) Distance learning globally.
Marylhurst University: Online Education
This university in Oregon provides Web-based learning environments, and offers an organized approach, as well as helping to explain to student how to make the most of online educational opportunity. Marylhurst's Web-based programs appraoach higher education: "online students belong to a community where dialogue and interaction with other students and faculty are central to the learning experience."
University System of Maryland's attempt to expand distance education to improve access to geographically and/or time bound Marylanders and to seize opportunities for developing out-of-state markets. The program includes:
- Web Courseware, piloting courseware for distance learning
- Distance Education Fellows, recognizing efforts of early adopters
- WIT Design Inquiry Workshop, offering resources to faculty teams on courseware development
- WIT Organizational Learning Conferences, sharing learning and providing input into needed policy changes
With an overall focus on faculty development, the program is designed to help small teams create and teach Web courses that are fully time and place independent. In the process, we will learn as organizations how best to help faculty, how we can support better strategies for student learning and access, and what institutional procedures and policies are needed to support distance learning.