New Britain, CT. (Jan. 2, 2001) -- The Connecticut Distance Learning

Consortium (CTDLC) awarded five $35,000 grants to Connecticut colleges to produce online academic programs in fields from criminal justice to early childhood education. Students can take the courses from a computer at their convenience, anytime, anywhere, and earn credits required for a degree in a particular field. This is the second round of awards made by the consortium since October 2000. The latest Award winners are: Eastern Connecticut State University, a Masters Degree in Accounting; Tunxis Community College, Associates Degree in Criminal Justice; Saint Joseph College, a Masters Degree in Biology; Sacred Heart University, a BS in Leadership Studies; Central Connecticut State University, a Masters in Data Mining.

In the last session, the General Assembly focused on distance learning as a key element in its economic development strategy. They awarded the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium $2 million to use for online course development and technological instruction. To date, $350,000 has gone to Connecticut colleges and universities for the creation of online degree programs.

The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (www.ctdlc.org), a partnership of state and private colleges and universities offering online learning, has earmarked $1.2 million of the General Assembly allocation to program development for both credit and non-credit courses created specifically for students to take online. Another $800,000 is directed toward using online instruction to build a teaching force that is experienced in using educational technologies in grades from kindergarten through college.

Through the CTDLC, Connecticut colleges and universities are developing web-based curricula for any time, any place learning. The 13 programs offered online are the same as those offered in the traditional college setting. Online learning brings standard college courses to students who may not have the time to sit in a classroom or whose job or family responsibilities prevent them from regular class attendance in the traditional setting. The online courses can meet degree requirements or simply improve job skills. And while the web-based courses strengthen educational possibilities for Connecticut students, they are also open to students from around the world connecting Connecticut’s system with innovative advances in higher education.

Members of the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium are:

• Department of Higher Education
• Department of Education
• All 12 Connecticut Community Colleges
• Central Connecticut State University
• Eastern Connecticut State University
• Southern Connecticut State University
• Western Connecticut State University
• Charter Oak State College
• University of Connecticut
• United States Coast Guard Academy
• Albertus Magnus College
• Fairfield University
• Quinnipiac University
• Rensselaer at Hartford*
• Sacred Heart University
• Saint Joseph College
• St. Vincent’s College
• Post University
• University of Bridgeport
• University of Hartford
• University of New Haven
• Yale University
• American Radio Relay League
• Special Education Resource Center.

*  Italicized institutions are new members of the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium.