There are many distance learning associations and organizations at the state level, the U.S. level, and around the world. The following is a sample of some of the most active groups. We encourage faculty and other academia professionals to visit frequently this site. If you identify a useful site and you wish to share it with others send it to info@hets.org.
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Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education – The Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), founded in 1981, is an international, not-for-profit, educational organization with the mission of advancing Information Technology in Education and E-Learning research, development, learning, and its practical application. AACE serves the profession with international conferences, high quality publications, leading-edge Digital Library, Career Center, and other opportunities for professional growth.
Association for Distance Education and Independent Learning – a professional association for all those engaged in, or interested in, collegiate distance education. The goal of the organization is to provide professional development opportunities as well as opportunities for collegiality and interaction. ADEIL is a one-person, one-vote organization, with the primary emphasis of furthering the cause and understanding of independent study and providing service to the membership. It encourages personal commitment, cooperation, and sharing.
Association for Educational Communication and Technology – provides leadership in educational communications and technology by linking professionals holding a common interest in the use of educational technology and its applications to the learning process.
Association for Learning Technology– Learning technology is the broad range of communication, information and related technologies that can be used to support learning, teaching, and assessment. Founded in 1993, it is the UK’s leading membership organisation in the learning technology field. Its purpose is to ensure that use of learning technology is effective and efficient, informed by research and practice, and grounded in an understanding of the underlying technologies, their capabilities and the situations into which they are placed.
Association for Telecommunications Professionals in Higher Education (ACUTA) – ACUTA is an organization committed toward the growth of education, research, and community service. They assist in the function of telecommunications technology in the favor of higher education.
Annenberg/CPB Project – Annenberg/CPB Project is the single nationwide effort at forefront with the aspiration to affect telecommunication technologies in the direction of teaching & learning.
Commonwealth of Learning – The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the development and sharing of open learning/distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL is helping developing nations improve access to quality education and training. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of more than 50 independent sovereign states, which provide support to each other, and work together toward international goals. The Commonwealth is described as a “family” of nations, originally linked together in the British Empire, and now building on their common heritage in language, culture and education, which enables them to work together in an atmosphere of greater trust and understanding than generally prevails among nations.
Distance Education and Training Council – The DETC is a voluntary, non-governmental, educational organization that operates a nationally recognized accrediting association, the DETC Accrediting Commission. The DETC Accrediting Commission defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence in distance education institutions. The Commission is dedicated to fostering quality assurance, protection of the rights of the students and institutional self-improvement through voluntary accreditation via peer evaluation. DETC accreditation aims to instill public confidence in DETC institutions’ missions, goals, performances, and resources through rigorous application and peer-developed accreditation standards.
EDUCAUSE – a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology.
European Distance and e-Learning Network – A non- governmental association to foster developments in distance education in Europe through co-operation and collaboration among institutions, networks, and individuals.
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International Association for K-12 Online Learning – iNACOL, The International Association for K-12 Online Learning, is a non-profit organization that facilitates collaboration, advocacy, and research to enhance quality K-12 online teaching and learning.
International Council for Open and Distance Education – A global membership organization in the field of open learning, distance education, and flexible, lifelong learning.
ISTE – The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving learning and teaching by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. ISTE represents more than 100,000 education leaders and emerging leaders throughout the world and informs its members regarding educational issues of national and global scope.
Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia – ODLAA is a professional association for teachers, developers, researchers, consultants and administrators from Australia and overseas involved in open and distance learning.
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The TLT Group (Teaching, Learning, and Technology) – The TLT Group is a not-for-profit that helps college and university educators take advantage of changing technology so they can improve teaching and learning. Newer, better, faster technology doesn’t automatically lead to better learning and teaching. That’s why the TLT Group believes in approaching technology “people first.” With over ten years of experience, we’ve helped hundreds of colleges and universities use and adapt to technology in ways that support teaching and learning, value the time and experience of staff and faculty and make the most of tight budgets and resources.
The Sloan Consortium – An institutional and professional leadership organization dedicated to integrating online education into the mainstream of higher education.
United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) – The USDLA?s intention is to encourage distance learning through education and training. They focus on the citizens who are in K to government training.
The University Professional & Continuing Education Association – UPCEA is the leading association for professional, continuing and online learning in the higher education community. Founded in 1915, UPCEA now serves more than 350 institutions, including most of the leading public and private colleges and universities in North America. The association provides its members with professional development programs, research and information, and publications. UPCEA also recognizes best practices in the field and promotes awareness of the needs of adult and non-traditional learners.
Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications (WCET) – WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) accelerates the adoption of effective practices and policies, advancing excellence in technology-enhanced teaching and learning in higher education.
World Association for Online Education (WAOE) – The vision of WAOE began with the opening Keynote
Address of the Third Annual Teaching in the Community Colleges Online Conference (7 April 1998), which included a digital video Steve made on a seashore in Japan that was hosted by the University of Hawaii. From the Abstract: “This presentation is a call for action as well as interaction.
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