Students considering taking an online course can seek advice regarding online learning and take a sample course. Those taking courses can access library services and links to other educational resources like a dictionary, thesaurus, language translators, news channels and other search engines.
Faculty interested in teaching online can access research documentation about distance learning, review a sample course from the faculty’s perspective, receive training in translating their classroom materials into an online format, and even request that the CTDLC build the course for them. Established online faculty can add course listings and request assessments of the courses they have completed.
"Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for Connecticut’s students, teachers and educational institutions to access distance education opportunities." Said Ed Klonoski, Executive Director, "We’re even working on an e-commerce piece so that students will be able to register for courses at participating member institutions right from our web-site."
The third avenue on the site caters to businesses that seek online training for workforce development, and other web site business solutions. Listed here are online non-credit courses and certificate programs, as well as a list of recipients of CTDLC’s grants for the creation of online materials that support the development of Connecticut’s workforce.
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.
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
- Teikyo Post University
- University of Bridgeport
- University of Hartford
- University of New Haven
- Yale University
- American Radio Relay League
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Special Education Resource Center.