Rendell accepts National Distance Learning Week award
Janhavi Purohit
Issue date: 11/7/08 Section: News
The awards ceremony for National Distance Learning Week was presented Nov. 10 after a keynote speech by Gov. Edward Rendell (D-PA) and remarks by Drexel University President Constantine Papadakis.
National Distance Learning Week is an annual initiative that works to increase awareness of distance learning at various levels of education, according to an NDLW press release. The awards are meant to highlight those individuals who have made outstanding achievements in the field of online learning.
According to Papadakis, there has been a "staggering growth" of online learning in classrooms across the nation, making the focus on education all the more important.
"Distance learning has become a part of our business model at Drexel, and as many of you know, we have set up Drexel Online, Drexel e-Learning, inc. as a dedicated marketing strategy to increase that learning," Papadakis said.
Papadakis said that Drexel online programs are now among the top ten largest in both nursing and library sciences, as well as in other programs such as education.
"We are very proud of Drexel Online," Papadakis said. "Our satisfaction with it has continued to grow since 2002, when Drexel e-Learning, inc. was implemented."
Papadakis added that the program has been growing at almost 20 percent a year.
Rendell was honored at the event as a "great friend of Drexel for many years," according to Papadakis, and was also keynote speaker.
"He has been a supporter not only of education in Philadelphia, but throughout Pennsylvania," Papadakis said.
Rendell in his speech emphasized the importance of a statewide focus, especially in terms of the budget, on education.
According to Rendell, online learning programs are crucial in supporting many aspects of "what we do K through 12 in our schools, and help support students in homeschooling and in rural schools."
"We have to invest in an education now," Rendell said. "We have to support education in a way that produces talented individuals."
National Distance Learning Week is an annual initiative that works to increase awareness of distance learning at various levels of education, according to an NDLW press release. The awards are meant to highlight those individuals who have made outstanding achievements in the field of online learning.
According to Papadakis, there has been a "staggering growth" of online learning in classrooms across the nation, making the focus on education all the more important.
"Distance learning has become a part of our business model at Drexel, and as many of you know, we have set up Drexel Online, Drexel e-Learning, inc. as a dedicated marketing strategy to increase that learning," Papadakis said.
Papadakis said that Drexel online programs are now among the top ten largest in both nursing and library sciences, as well as in other programs such as education.
"We are very proud of Drexel Online," Papadakis said. "Our satisfaction with it has continued to grow since 2002, when Drexel e-Learning, inc. was implemented."
Papadakis added that the program has been growing at almost 20 percent a year.
Rendell was honored at the event as a "great friend of Drexel for many years," according to Papadakis, and was also keynote speaker.
"He has been a supporter not only of education in Philadelphia, but throughout Pennsylvania," Papadakis said.
Rendell in his speech emphasized the importance of a statewide focus, especially in terms of the budget, on education.
According to Rendell, online learning programs are crucial in supporting many aspects of "what we do K through 12 in our schools, and help support students in homeschooling and in rural schools."
"We have to invest in an education now," Rendell said. "We have to support education in a way that produces talented individuals."
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