Membership Association for Distance Learners?

Hello all,

I have had an idea for a little while, and got some input over a year ago from the esteemed Dr. Lady, but I am in a better position now to move it forward. To give some background on myself, I am the Chief Operating Officer of a trade association, and all of my degrees (a BA from Prescott College, an MBA from Aspen University, and a Master of Administration in Public Management from Northern Arizona University) have been achieved via distance learning or another alternative format.

My idea is to begin a membership organization (similar to a trade association, but on the individual level) for those who have received management education via distance learning. The name I have focused on is ADME (Association for Distance Management Education) and the purpose would be to advance the cause of distance management education by publishing scholarly research conducted by those in the distance management education arena in an annual journal, provide networking and training opportunities at an annual conference, and career resources. The plan would be for the organization to eventually become an advocate for distance management education that is independent of any particular school, and has a record of published research to back up its claims.

Conceptually, it could also be viewed as an alumni association of sorts for those who have received distance business/management degrees (whether graduate or undergraduate). I know must schools offer an alumni association and/or include distance learners in their alumni associations, but I know, personally, I have never felt very connected to those organizations, as they have primarily been oriented for on campus learners.

Financial support would be through dues, sponsorships and donations, and conference revenue.

Basically, as the most active chat board out there for distance education, I would like to get all of your input on this. Is there a market for this? Is it something you would join? Are there any suggestions for Board members?

Thank you for your time and input,

Dustin McKissen

 

That is interesting, but I don't really want anything marks "DISTANCE" on my resume.

 

I've thought about the idea of just developing some type of association that advances the cause of distance education in general; NA DL in particular. I think many people are unaware of the opportunities that DL; specifically, the opportunities that a cheap DL program from NA school can open up to those who can't afford expensive education (afterall, a very cheap education like what Aspen is offering is better than non at all), and who are not looking to teach at RA schools. Having a dedicated association that advances the cause of DL with the opportunity for members to participate in active research, and then presenting and publishing such research (in the association owned Journal) would benefit all NA DL program stakeholders, as well as, "raise the bar" of DL in general.

I think your idea is noble. The fact is that it's only folks with NA degrees that will push for, as well as benefit from such an association. So, folks with degrees from NA school are probably more positioned to push for this and make it a reality because those with RA degrees probably won't. I don't have any NA degree. However, my interests in affordable high quality education would have me joining the association in a heartbeat. Again, your idea is a good one. You should go ahead with getting it rolling. It will succeed!

 

I can see how this might benefit distance learning but in my own opinion you need to strengthen your ideas about how the association would benefit the members. There are any number of organizations that I could join in order to produce some abstract benefit to the world but these days, if you want my money, you had better explain how it's going to benefit me. This is especially true of a startup organization with no track record/credentials.

 

You may want to consider a cooperative effort with the USDLA?

Good luck.

 

Dustin: My idea is to begin a membership organization (similar to a trade association, but on the individual level) for those who have received management education via distance learning. The name I have focused on is ADME (Association for Distance Management Education ) and the purpose would be to advance the cause of distance management education by publishing scholarly research conducted by those in the distance management education arena in an annual journal, provide networking and training opportunities at an annual conference, and career resources. The plan would be for the organization to eventually become an advocate for distance management education that is independent of any particular school, and has a record of published research to back up its claims.

TONY: I think that this is an intriguing idea. However, you might want to emphasize the idean of advancing the field of distance business/management education and less on the idea that the association would be comprised of people who received their degrees via online study. You will likely get those individuals, but your initial target (given the mission of your association) would be to target faculty and administrators from distance learning programs, since these are the people who will serve on the editorial board of your journal, will be the first to publish research, and will be the bulk of those who would present at your conference. Many people involved in distance education did not get their own degrees through online study. For example, I oversee academics for a reasonably large online division of a brick & mortar university. We offer 23 online degrees (including a Ph.D. in Management with three concentrations). I publish regularly about distance education in journals, present regularly at conferences, and am on the editorial board of two journals. However, my own doctorate is in education and my doctoral program included only one hybrid course and no online courses. Would someone like me be excluded from your association?

TEKMAN:That is interesting, but I don't really want anything marks "DISTANCE" on my resume.

TONY: If you belong to professional associations furthering the cause of distance learning (e.g. USDLA, Sloan-C, AECT), that certainly would not hurt you. Many people from different environments are interested in distance learning. Besides, your intended Ph.D. will be from an institution that only offers degrees via distance learning, so the "distance" on your resume will be there (even if the word is not). I have many colleagues with Capella Ph.D.s and have been on the dissertation committees of three of them. They have all been well-served by their Capella degrees.

CYBER: I've thought about the idea of just developing some type of association that advances the cause of distance education in general; NA DL in particular.

TONY: The association most actively involved in promoting NA distance education is, of course, the DETC. Perhaps you should consider attending DETC's annual conference in Williamsburg, VA next April. It could be that: 1) the DETC is already doing what you envision and you may become an active participant in the conference (either as part of the planning committee or as a presenter at the conference); 2) The DETC is not quite doing what you envision, but you can advise them on how to do it better; 3) The DETC is going in a different direction and there is a need for an alternative association.