With increasing access and options to engage in distance learning comes higher expectations for education quality. If distance education institutions are to continually support student achievement, they must demonstrate a commitment to ongoing institutional enhancement and self-study. Improved performance, however, does not just happen. Distance education associations and professional organizations can provide key support to institutional performance through processes, structures, and feedback systems that are aligned with institutional goals.
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
An international, educational, and professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge, theory, and quality of learning and teaching at all levels with information technology.
Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN)
A national consortium for designing, developing and scaling new models for student learning.
Educause
A nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology.
European Association for Distance Learning (EADL)
A membership organization of privately-owned and non-governmental organizations active in the provision of distance learning in Europe.
Instructional Technology Council (ITC)
An affiliation of the American Association of Community Colleges, ITC provides leadership and resources to expand and enhance distance learning through the effective use of technology.
International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
A global membership organization in the fields of open learning, distance education, and flexible, lifelong learning.
National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
An agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs overseen by a National Council and administered by four regional education compacts in the United States.
The Presidents Forum
A collaboration of accredited, national, adult-serving institutions and programs which have embraced the power and potential of online education and work to advance the recognition of innovative practice and excellence in online learning.
United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
A non-profit association formed to promote the development and application of distance learning for education and training.
WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET)
A membership cooperative of institutions and organizations dedicated to advancing access and excellence in higher education through the innovative use of technology.
