Distance Learning Center @ TestPrepReview.com

There are many resources available for people who want to participate in Texas distance learning. The Texas Distance Learning Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 in partnership with the United States Distance Learning Association. The goal of both organizations is to provide information and recognize achievement in distance learning organizations. The Texas Distance Learning Association provides articles on its website about new and cutting edge advancements and technology related to distance learning programs. The Texas State Library offers distance learning opportunities through satellite teleconferencing, the internet, and videoconferencing. There are numerous subjects that can be accessed though the Texas State Library so anyone who wants to gain knowledge on a subject can use this resource. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board was established in 1965 to help with the success of higher education in Texas. The Board created the website texasdistanceeducation.com as a resource for Texas distance learning programs. A list of programs and courses offered through Texas public and private institutions are available on the website. The Texas Association of Community Colleges created a database called the Virtual College of Texas which grants users access to Texas distance learning classes offered by the 50 community college districts in the state of Texas. If a course is not available at a students local community college, he or she can access the course at any other Texas state community college. The site offers access to non-credit classes available at Texas community colleges for interested students. Texas distance learning courses and degree programs are available at most of the state universities.

Because there is such a high demand for distance learning programs, the Florida State Board of Community Colleges created the Florida Distance Learning Consortium in 1996. The goal was to make Florida distance learning programs easily accessible to everyone interested in distance learning education. The Florida Distance Learning Consortium created the website distancelearn.org to be the access point for distance learning programs. There is access to 28 Florida community colleges offering associates degrees and certificates and 20 Florida private and state universities offering bachelors, masters and doctorate programs on the website. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is a regional accreditation agency which has accredited all the Florida distance learning programs on distancelearn.org. Distancelearn.org allows searches such as institution, degree types, and subject/discipline. The Florida distance learning website allows the user to pick the method of distance learning instruction offering the choices of internet, video, 2-way TV, print, multi mode or audio. By clicking a personal assistant button, users can access all the courses they have searched for and saved. After course selection, access to the enrollment and admissions departments for the colleges can be accessed through the website.

The Florida Distance Learning Consortium wanted to make it easier for teachers to continue their education. The Consortium along with the Southern Regional Education Board created EdPASS. Through the distancelearn.org website and with EdPASS teachers can access, apply for, register, pay, and participate in Florida distance learning courses. The benefit of using EdPASS is teachers have access to numerous universities and courses all from one location. The application the teacher submits through EdPASS admits the teacher into all participating universities. The teacher must hold a bachelor’s degree and be employed by a Florida school district to take advantage of the EdPASS Florida distance learning initiative.

Through distance learn.org, the Florida Distance Learning Consortium has included access to career and educational planning through Florida eChoices and FACTS.org. Florida eChoices offers occupational profiles designed to match users’ interests. Advice on how to create a resume and how to interview for employment are offered through Florida eChoices. FACTS.org offers academic counseling for graduating students. The student can research colleges, majors, and career options on the website. Florida distance learning options are available and can be researched by students. Virtual libraries are available to students and college transcripts can be requested through FACTS.org.

The Sacramento County Office of Education has created the California Distance Learning Project. The goal of the California Distance Learning Project is unique in that the site is designed for people looking for an educational resource for both people looking for traditional education and those who may not be attempting to attend a traditional school. In order to remain competitive as a state, California has decided to provide the California distance learning website as a service for all who want to learn, and the information can be accessed at any time of the day or night. With a large immigrant population in California, many of the residents speak English as their second language. The website allows these citizens to get advice in forum that can be read and accessed at their own pace, giving them time to read and understand what they are learning. The California Distance Learning Project is provided through the Innovation Program which began in 1995. Adult schools and school district can use 5% of their block grant annually on distance education programs approved by the California Department of Education. These programs have certain criteria to meet including requiring an instructor and the ability for communication to be back and forth between the instructor and students. There are 12 different ways to access the courses, from online to checking out videocassettes, so a computer is not a requirement to participation in this California Distance learning opportunity.

The website, cdlponline.org, contains articles on a variety of subjects where interested parties can find information and learn material that is not part of a traditional class or degree program. The California Distance Learning Project website includes articles on how to find a job and employment opportunities in California. Real estate advice and how to save money for large purchases can be accessed through the site.

The California Distance Learning Project provides access to several websites that direct potential students to distance education websites that provide formal education for those wanting to advance on a path to a degree or professional certification. The California Virtual Campus is a database of more than 4,400 courses available in the distance learning format offered in California. If the user wants to apply for federal financial aide or wants to apply for admission at any of the California Community Colleges, detailed help is available through the site. The University of Wisconsin sponsors the Distance Education Clearninghouse website, which can be accessed through the California Distance Learning Project website. This site provided national and international distance education opportunities.