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April 23, 2007

Iowa State trio honored by Iowa Distance Learning Association

Three faculty and staff members in Iowa State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences were recognized at the annual Iowa Distance Learning Association conference in Cedar Rapids on Friday, April 20.

Steffen Schmidt, University Professor of political science, was named the 2007 Innovator of the Year by the Iowa Distance Learning Association for "his exemplary contributions to distance learning." The award is given for contributions to distance learning through outstanding teaching, program design and development, innovations in methods, technique and technology, and advocacy.

Schmidt has offered courses via distance education at Iowa State since the concept's inception. Over the years, he has flown from Ames to locations in the state to teach face-to-face courses, has utilized the Iowa Communications Network to teach non-traditional students, and currently uses web-based technology to teach distance education students.

He offers a course in coastal zone policies each summer via the web. This popular course deals with environmental issues. Last summer during the perceived theft of Veterans Identity Documents, Schmidt also created a CD version of his identity theft non-credit course that was delivered to each Iowa veteran. His book on identity theft security was delivered to each library and Veterans Hospital in Iowa for veterans' use.

Two individuals in the Department of World Languages and Cultures were given the Iowa Distance Learning Association's Points of Presence Award for specific, outstanding distance education programs and initiatives serving learners within, but not limited to, Iowa. Iowa State's "Online Elementary Latin" program was the recipient in the higher education category. The program is coordinated by Madeleine Henry, professor of classical studies, and Julio Rodriguez, director of the Language Studies Resource Center.

Through an innovative design, Henry and Rodriguez created an on-line elementary Latin sequence (Latin 101 and 102) to benefit the increasing audience and positively impact learners in Iowa. The pilot version of the course was offered last summer with subsequent courses offered each semester afterwards.

The online Latin courses offer on-campus students a web-based delivery option while also serving underserved audiences including students throughout the state who no longer have the option to study Latin in secondary school.

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