December 2005 Volume 1, Number 1
IN THIS ISSUE QUALITY INSTITUTE PRESIDENT’S LETTER INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS ILCE, México INTA, Argentina NSU, USA INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Dr. Judy Roberts Dr. María Ortiz Dr. Jane Madsen Dr. José Silvio 2006 CONFERENCES VIRTUAL EDUCA IV CREAD CARIBE X CREAD MERCOSUR I CENTRAL AMERICA XV CONFERENCE CONTACT CREAD BOARD	QUALITY INSTITUTE ESTABLISHED http://www.utpl.edu.ec The creation of internationally recognized quality standards was the central theme of the First CREAD Andes Congress which was held at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), in Ecuador, from October 17^th – 20^th, 2005. This meeting, which had broad international support, culminated in the creation of the Latin American and Caribbean Institute for Quality in Higher Distance Education (CAL-ED). More than 500 participants from 15 countries made presentations, and took part in the deliberation process. The event was organized by the UTPL, The Inter-American Consortium for Distance Education (CREAD), Virtual Educa and the Ibero-American Association for Higher Distance Education (AIESAD). Other participating organizations were the Organization of American States (OAS), UNESCO, the Union of Latin American Universities (UDUAL), the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), the Inter-American Organization of Higher Education (IOHE), and many others. The UTPL will be responsible for the administration and organization of the Institute, as it will be hosting the Executive Secretariat. Luis Miguel Romero, Rector of the UTPL, stated that the Institute will represent the common interest of all those involved in Distance Education in Latin-America and the Caribbean in guaranteeing the high academic quality of their offerings. In particular, he recognized the efforts of CREAD, Virtual Educa and AIESAD, as well as the university organizations that took part in the First CREAD Andes Congress. Letter from the President of CREAD The decision of the members of CREAD to create an electronic space for the Consortium has now become a reality; here is the first edition, and this is especially significant coming as part of our fifteenth anniversary celebrations. The high profile of our organization in distance education meetings, as well as the results attained by our institutional and individual members, need to be better known among the CREAD community as a whole, so that we can move forward on projects and evaluations within our chosen field. The first step has been taken, and the rest depends on you, the members. The ending of another year in the life of CREAD gives me the opportunity, as President of the organization, to express my gratitude for the participation of our members in events which highlight the importance of distance education and collaboration between specialists, especially with regard to advances in the definition of quality and the certification of national and international distance offerings, in order to ensure their effectiveness and relevance to their users. Each of us, wherever we are, has the opportunity to work on this topic through research projects designed to investigate the characteristics and conditions of national projects, define their strengths and weaknesses and call for the necessary changes to attain international quality. Again we see the importance of constructing spaces for the exchange of ideas and for feedback. Let us make our Electronic Newsletter a versatile and effective means of internal communication. We also know that there are operational aspects that need to be improved on, and we hope to engage the active collaboration of our members to improve the administration and to realize our projects. The life of organizations is as intense and productive as the members want it to be, so let us strengthen CREAD through our actions on behalf of distance education and ensure the success of 2006 in the life of the Consortium. I wish you happiness in your personal life and success in its widest meaning for 2006 With warmest regards from Mexico Patricia Ávila Muñoz President pavila@ilce.edu.mx PROFILES OF CREAD INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS Latin American Institute of Educational Communication (ILCE) Mexico http://www.ilce.edu.mx For the last 50 years this organization has promoted the use of information and communication technologies, with a view to improving the quality of education and training in the region. ILCE has focused on the development and diffusion of research on the information and communication technologies and their applications for distance education and training, the production of educational materials and the training of human resources. Based on the skills and competitiveness of its personnel, ILCE creates innovative educational models that promote the use of platforms and virtual learning spaces to satisfy the requirements of the public and private institutions of Latin America. As an international non-profit organization, working in thirteen Latin American countries, ILCE promotes the use of technological resources to improve the life and work skills of the population. National Institute For Agricultural Technology (INTA) Argentina http://www.inta.gov.ar http://www.inta.gov.ar/procadis The Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) is a science and technology organization dating from 1956. It works through research, technological development and outreach to promote activities leading to innovations in the agricultural, agro-alimentary and agribusiness sector, with the aim of contributing to sustainable competition, environmental health, the sustainability of production systems, social equity and regional development. INTA works through 3 National Investigating Centers,12 Regional Centers, 44 Agricultural Experimental Stations and 240 Extension Units, which are located over the whole country. It has a workforce of 3,228 agents, of whom 1119 are professionals (51% with a postgraduate education). As detailed in the National Strategic Program, Regional Technological Plans and Regional and Institutional Projects, the Institute is engaged in 10 lines of research per discipline, and 5 development programs organized by audience, which reach thousands of families over the entire country. Historically, INTA has provided 45% of agricultural training nationwide. Each year a major exhibition, INTA EXPONE, is organized for producers, professionals, students and interested people from all over the country to inform themselves about different lines of work and to talk to specialists in charge of regional innovations and development. For more information please go to http://www.inta.gov.ar/ Distance Education One of the bases of INTA`s activities has been Agricultural Extension, whose methodologies and strategies we have gradually been developing. In 1993 The “Proyecto de Capacitacion a Distancia” (Distance Training project) – PROCADIS was implemented. Since then more than 7000 people have taken part in its 24 Distance Education programs. PROCADIS brings distance education to the training component of the National and Regional Programs and Projects, integrating research-based content with the operative framework of Extension. PROCADIS also works on the design and implementation of courses, gives technical assistance for the development of distance education projects and carries out distance education research. Our courses are short and are oriented for the student to reach significant knowledge, develop a critical attitude and reflective thought about specific themes. They can be taken in conventional modes of distance education (print materials) or through VIRTUAL PROCADIS. INTA through PROCADIS, was the site of the vice presidency of CREAD for the Southern Cone (1997-2002) and currently is the site of the Support Office for Argentina. For more information please go to http://www.inta.gov.ar/procadis Nova Southeastern University (NSU) USA http://www.nova.edu/ Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is an independent university that was founded in 1964 in the State of Florida, and it is the seventh largest independent university in the United Status. NSU is licensed in 30 of the 50 states and now has more than 79,000 alumni. The university, which currently has more than 25,000 students, is recognized as a leader in conventional and distance education and offers Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Educational Specialist and Doctoral degrees in almost every state in the Union, as well as more than a dozen other countries. Fischler School of Education and Human Services Fischler School of Education and Human Services is one of the largest faculties of education in the United Status, with more than 15,000 students around the world. The school uses a number of different methods to offer high quality education that is adapted to the schedules and locations of the students. PROFILES OF CREAD INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Dr. Judy Roberts Canada A member of CREAD since 1997, Judy Roberts has over 25 years' experience in national and international applications of learning technologies, with a particular focus on distance and blended education, open and e-learning and telemedicine/ehealth in the public and private sectors. Frequently invited to speak at conference plenary sessions, present research papers and facilitate workshops, she holds an Adjunct Faculty appointment in the Graduate School of Management and Technology, University of Maryland University College online MDE program, is Consulting Editor to the International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning published by Athabasca University and serves on the Editorial Board of Distance Education, published for the Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia. She was the senior founding staff member of telemedicine activities in Newfoundland and Labrador and of Contact North/Contact Nord in Ontario. In her consulting practice, she has worked for clients such as the World Bank, the American Development Bank and the Canadian International Development Agency. “There are a number of reasons why I have kept my CREAD membership over the years”, Judy says. “In my experience, CREAD is unique in its commitment to functioning across all the Americas in four languages. CREAD's leadership in bringing together the Americas to foster distance learning was visionary and has enriched all its members. As someone fluent in French and English, who has a halting competence in Spanish, I value CREAD's contribution to my personal and professional growth and appreciation of how to function in today's increasingly multi-lingual, cross-cultural world. CREAD shows that English does not have to dominate this new world and that it is possible to cross the linguistic (and digital) divide as members of a sustainable organizational model”. JUDY ROBERTS, President Judy Roberts & Associates/Associes Inc. e-mail: judyrobe@istar.ca Web: http://www.RobertsAssoc.on.ca Dr. María de los Ángeles Ortiz Puerto Rico Dr. María de los Ángeles Ortiz has been a CREAD member since 1996 and is a biochemist and specialist in planning and educational research in institutes of higher education. She took her Ph.D. at the University of New York, took graduate and undergraduate classes at the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Puerto Rico and carried out research and graduate studies at MIT through a Graduate Honor Fellowship. In the course of her academic career she has been a Professor of Biology at the Universidad lnteramericana of Puerto Rico, where she spent 16 years as Academic Dean, served as Dean of the Guayama Campus and, for nine years, as Rector of the Arecibo Campus of that university. In 1990 she was appointed Academic Vice President of the Ana G. Méndez University System, a position she held for six years until she was appointed President of the Central University of Bayamón in September 1996. Dr. Ortiz was twice awarded a Fulbright to work as an advisor for academic and university policy and for scientific research at the National University of the Republic of Honduras, a country with which she has maintained professional relations for the last 15 years. She was awarded the Bicentenary Medal of the University of the Andes of Venezuela, with whom she has signed cooperation agreements. Currently she holds the UNESCO Chair in Higher Education at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. She is Founder-President of Ortiz, Lord, Hope and Associates, an Academic and Administrative Consulting, Research and Advisory company. “Being a member of CREAD means having a permanent linkage to change and innovation, which is fundamental to keeping universities in continuous contact with the experiences of other nations. I value what CREAD has contributed to the fields of information technology and distance education, and CREAD’s continuing contribution to the development of faculty, students, researchers and university administrators in multicultural and multilingual contexts.” Dr. María de los Ángeles Ortiz perusa@coqui.net Dr. Jane Madsen USA Jane Madsen holds a Doctor of Education Degree from Arizona State University. Her several years as an elementary school teacher, both overseas and in the U.S., culminated in a professorship at The Pennsylvania State University. Jane has promoted the conservation of the Earth's natural resources throughout her years of volunteer work with both Girl and Boy Scouts and her recent directorship of natural resource programs at Penn State's Laurel Haven Conservation Education Center. In 1995, she and her late husband, Harold Mitzel, were presented with The Pennsylvania Forestry Association's award "Excellence in Natural Resources Education." Because of Jane's ardent interest in the environment and specialized training in the areas of forestry and natural resources, Jane says she has found CREAD to be an avenue through which awareness of the necessary sustainability of the Earth's natural resources can be realized. Through CREAD, Jane hopes to spearhead an interest globally, and especially in Latin America, in the UNESCO Internet teacher education program called Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future. She says: "There is no doubt about it — CREAD is a very important educational catalyst that can affect the lives of thousands of people throughout the world." Dr. Jane M. Madsen jmm5@psu.edu Dr. José Silvio Venezuela José Silvio is a Venezuelan, and currently holds the position of Adjunct Professor and Coordinator of Doctoral Thesis Advisors for the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Doctoral Program at Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education and Social Services. He is also an International Advisor in Virtual Learning (e-Learning) and Distance Education. Prior to retiring from UNESCO he was a member of the International Professional Personnel and General Coordinator of the UNESCO International Program for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC), based in Caracas, Venezuela. His area of professional interest is the use of computer and information science in education. He has been the editor of three books on this topic, all published by UNESCO, the most recent of which is available at: http://www.iesalc.unesco.org.ve/programas/internac/univ_virtuales/ america%20latina%20y%20caribe/EducVirtual%20ALC.pdf He has also authored the book: The Virtualization of the University; how can higher education can be transformed by technology? (in Spanish), published by UNESCO and distributed by Editorial Santillana of Spain. A complete electronic version may be found at: http://www.iesalc.unesco.org.ve/programas/internac/univ_virtuales/ venezuela/La_virtualizacion_univ.pdf Writing of his experience with CREAD, José Silvio says: “In the course of my professional experience in international cooperation in distance education, I have had the opportunity to coordinate many networks and organizations of different kinds. Many of them were short-lived, even though a significant effort had been put into them. CREAD has been the exception and has remained active since its inception, without interruption, continuously growing and diversifying, due to a concentration on high quality and, above all, the ability to be responsive to a range of needs, from the particular region to the whole Latin American area. I have also been able to experience the quality of its institutional and individual members. For all these reasons, and many more which space does not permit me to list, I feel proud to belong to CREAD and to actively work for its future development.” Dr. José F. Silvio jsilvio@nsu.nova.edu CREAD 2006 CONFERENCES VIRTUAL EDUCA Bilbao, Spain June 19-22, 2006 http://www.virtualeduca.org VII ENCUENTRO INTERNACIONAL SOBRE EDUCACIÓN, CAPACITACIÓN PROFESIONAL, TECNOLOGÍAS DE LA INFORMACIÓN E INNOVACIÓN FOURTH CREAD CARIBBEAN Intituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic July, 2006 http://www.intec.edu.do This will be the fourth in a series of congresses organized by members of CREAD in the Caribbean region. The number of national and international participants and the richness of the program in these congresses has grown from year to year. Every year since 2003 one of the Dominican institutional members of CREAD has taken on the responsibility of hosting this congreso – the Open University for Adults in 2003, the University of the Caribbean in 2004, and APEC University in 2005. In 2006 this event will be organized by the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC), a leading Dominican institute of higher education, and will take place at the end of July. TENTH CREAD MERCOSUR/SUL CONFERENCE 2006 QUALITY, LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY: CHALLENGES IN DISTANCE EDUCATION Universidad Católica del Norte – Centro de Educación a Distancia Antofagasta, Chile August 2-4, 2006 http://www.ced.ucn.cl General Objectives: v To analyze experiences in Quality, Learning and Technology in the light of challenges in the field of distance education, in the MERCOSUR countries as well as in other countries within the region, in the Caribbean and in other continents. v To give an overall view of the use of the new technologies and their strategic importance. FIRST CREAD CENTRAL AMERICA Universidad Estatal a Distancia San José, Costa Rica November 2006 http://www.uned.ac.cr This conference is being organized by the State Distance University (UNED) and will be held in San José, Costa Rica in November 2006. FIFTEENTH INTERNATIONAL DISTANCE EDUCATION CONFERENCE University of Guadalajara Guadalajara, México November-December, 2006 http://www.udgvirtual.udg.mx This conference, which is the most important of its kind in Latin America, will again be held in conjunction with the International Book Fair, in Guadalajara, Mexico. The organizer will be the Virtual University of Guadalajara. CREAD BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTACTS PRESIDENT Lic. Patricia Ávila Muñoz Directora de Investigación y contenidos educativos Instituto Latinoamericano de la Comunicación Educativa (ILCE) México, DF, México E-mail: pavila@ilce.edu.mx EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dr. Armando Villarroel CREAD Executive Office Nova Southeastern University North Miami Beach, USA E-mail: villarro@nsu.nova.edu REPRESENTATIVE OF NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Dr. Anthony J. DeNapoli Executive Dean Nova Southeastern University North Miami Beach, USA E-mail: denapoli@nsu.nova.edu ANDEAN REGION (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) Dr. Luis Miguel Romero Fernández Rector-Canciller Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja Loja, Ecuador E-mail: lmromero@utpl.edu.ec BRAZIL Professor Luiz Valter Brand Gomes Diretor Presidente Fundação Euclides da Cunha Niterói, RJ Brasil E-mail: lzvalter@fec.uff.br ENGLISH-SPEAKING CANADA Dr. Nancy Van Wagoner Director Acadia University Continuing and Distance Education Wolfville, NS Canada Email: nancy.vanwagoner@acadiau.ca CARIBBEAN (Antilles, Belice, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela) Prof. María de Lourdes López Vice Presidenta Auxiliar Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez San Juan, Puerto Rico E-mail: ac_mlopez@suagm.edu CENTRAL AMERICA (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama) MBA Rodrigo Arias Camacho Rector Universidad Estatal a Distancia San José, Costa Rica E-mail: rarias@uned.ac.cr MEXICO Maestro Manuel Moreno Castañeda Rector Sistema de Universidad Virtual Universidad de Guadalajara Guadalajara, Jalisco, México E-mail: mmoreno@redudg.udg.mx SOUTHERN CONE (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay) Dr. Héctor Alejandro Barceló Rector Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud Buenos Aires Argentina E-mail: hbarcelo@impsat1.com.ar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Dr. Marshall E. Allen Director Oklahoma State University Institute for Telecommunications Telecommunications Center Stillwater, OK USA E-mail: marshal@okstate.edu LIFETIME HONORARY MEMBER Dr. Patricia A. Book Vice President for Regional Development Kent State University Kent, OH USA E-mail: pbook1@kent.edu CREAD REGIONAL OFFICES BRAZIL Dra. Marlene Blois Diretora de Educação Universidade Carioca – UNIVIR Rio de Janeiro, RJ BRASIL E-mail: m.blois@terra.com.br ARGENTINA Lic. Norma Lidia Carosio Coordinadora Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Proyecto de Capacitación a Distancia Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA E-mail: ncarosio@correo.inta.gov.ar CANADA Dr. Alejandro Rada Director Université du Québec a Chicoutimi Chicoutimi, Québec, CANADA E-mail: arada@uquac.uquebec.ca The CREAD Electronic Newsletter will be published four times a year, in Spanish, English and Portuguese, in order to provide information about Consortium activities and to pass on professional information of interest.