USDLA Awards COSI with Platinum Award for Excellence in Distance Learning
(Columbus) April 29, 2009—COSI, the Center of Science & Industry in Columbus, Ohio was recently honored by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) with the world’s most prestigious distance learning award. COSI received a platinum award for excellence for the museums’ Electronic Education program.
COSI launched its videoconference program in 2000 and has since served more than 200,000 teachers and students in 45 states and three countries. The museum currently offers five unique programs: In Depth: Autopsy, Surgical Suite: Total Knee Replacement, Gadget Works, Weather Watch and Experts. All COSI videoconference programs are aligned to state and national science standards.
“As a premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, we are honoring COSI as a leader in the industry,” said Dr. John G. Flores, CEO of USDLA. “COSI has raised the bar of excellence and we are truly honored by their contributions to the distance learning industry.”
Since 1987, USDLA has been the world’s premier distance learning association. The USDLA International Awards program honored outstanding individuals and organizations for excellence in the field distance learning, education and training.
“COSI is committed to being a leader in the field of distance learning by offering one of a kind programs and experiences that students would not be able to access otherwise,” said David Chesebrough, President & CEO of COSI. “In fact some of these programs are so vital they have been added to some district’s curricula.”
“We are delighted to receive recognition from a national organization like this one,” said Gail Wheatley, Director of COSI’s Electronic Education program. “It means a lot to us to have the quality of our programs recognized by our distance education colleagues. We can always tell when the students that participate in our programs are engaged, but to gain this level of attention from people that work in distance education every day is really very exciting!”
About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. The USDLA trademarked logo is the recognized worldwide symbol of dedicated professionals committed to the distance learning industry. http://www.usdla.org
About COSI
COSI is Columbus’ dynamic hands-on science center and was recently named the #1 science center in the country by Parents Magazine. COSI features more than 300 interactive exhibitions and over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space. COSI also offers a variety of special events, family programs, camps, and more. For information about hours, rates, and more, visit www.cosi.org.
