Pepperdine News and Events

Faculty Honored with Best Practices for Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching Award

Margaret Riel, Visiting Faculty in the Education Division at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology was honored with the world's most prestigious distance learning award at the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) 2008 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

In the category of Best Practices Awards for Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching, Riel took home the Gold level award for Online Technology in Higher Education. This prestigious international award is presented annually to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance learning programs. The USDLA Awards were created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite and blended learning delivery technologies.

Dr. John G. Flores, CEO of USDLA commented, "Each year these winners raise the bar and exceed best practice expectations for the industry as a whole and we are truly honored by their contributions to the distance learning industry." Margaret J. Weber, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Psychology added, "This is a wonderful recognition of Dr. Riel's development and support of the virtual learning environment and the learning experiences she provides for our students."

News of the award will be included in the June edition of USDLA's Distance Learning Today quarterly supplement. Distance Learning Today appears in USA TODAY's top-tier markets for distance learning - major commuter hubs, convention centers and hotels. Since 1987, USDLA has been the world's premier distance learning association.