United States Distance Learning Association Releases White Paper on Successes and Barriers to Online Learning

New Paper Highlights Policy Measures to Keep Online Learning – and the Broadband Technology That Supports It – Growing

More Students Engaged in Unique Ways of Learning  

BOSTON, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) released a white paper titled, "Enabled By Broadband, Education Enters A New Frontier."  The paper highlights the successes and growth of distance learning, and suggests policy measures to ensure that barriers to continued growth are removed.

"In order for 21^st century distance learning opportunities to continue to flourish and allow more consumers immediate availability to convenient and affordable education, immediate access to affordable broadband must continue to grow," said Dr. John G. Flores, Executive Director of the USDLA.  "This paper highlights the measures we believe need to be taken in order to advance online learning and opportunity; and broadband access is a huge component of that need."  

He added, "Online learning via the web, videoconferencing or satellite is keeping students engaged and in school, especially at-risk youth who are able to overcome educational obstacles because of the flexible and exciting nature of distance learning.  Students and lifelong learners are reaching their goals because of broadband technology applications. "

The four measures outlined in the paper are as follows:

• Educators and education officials should move forward with the development of online based curriculum and the digital content to support it.  
• Policymakers should review accreditation rules, teacher licensing requirements, copyright law, and other laws and regulations that may unintentionally undermine the effectiveness of online learning and limit the use of digital technologies in the classroom.  
• Policymakers should redouble efforts to deliver broadband connectivity, and the opportunity to enjoy online learning, to every American with universal deployment and adoption of broadband as the first priority in national technology policy.  
• Policymakers should explore measures to enable the deployment and adoption of broadband in high-cost areas and avoid policies, including unnecessary regulation that can raise costs and make it harder for less affluent school districts and individuals to fully adopt broadband technology.

To read the paper in its entirety, please visit the USDLA website www.usdla.org.

About USDLA

The United States Distance Learning Association is a non-profit organization formed in 1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 education 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.

SOURCE United States Distance Learning Association