Resources
Resources
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Coursework via Distance Learning
Nebraska Virtual Instruction Source (NVIS)
NVIS (The Nebraska Virtual Instruction Source) is a statewide clearinghouse for both distance learning course offerings and Nebraska-based virtual field trip experiences. The majority of these opportunities leverage videoconferencing to connect students with teachers, professionals, experiences, the arts, and Nebraska history in a cost-effective and time-efficient way. Be sure to check out our DL courses and VFT offerings today!
University of Nebraska System Online Learning
The University of Nebraska has a long history of providing quality distance education, using the latest technology and most effective methods. We create a seamless, professional experience that provides working adults the flexibility they need—and the quality they expect from a leading university.
A land-grant flagship campus. An academic medical center. A metropolitan campus serving urban citizens. And a campus focused on undergraduates. The four campuses of the University of Nebraska combine strengths to create a breadth of expertise and online offerings that is unmatched. Find out more about online education at each campus.
University of Nebraska High School
The University of Nebraska High School is a fully accredited high school that offers individual courses and high school diplomas to students all over the world.
Western Governors University
Western Governors University is a unique institution that offers degrees and certificates based completely on competencies - your ability to demonstrate your skills and knowledge on a series of assessments - not on required courses.
University of Scranton Online
The University of Scranton features an online MBA as well as an MS in Human Resources.
Class.com
Class.com offers a complete high school diploma from the nation's first fully accredited, university-based independent study high school.
Education Agencies
Nebraska K-12 Districts
Visit the Nebraska Department of Education's Nebraska Education Profile website and insert the community name or select the district for any location in Nebraska. The closest public and private K-12 schools will appear in the search results.
Nebraska Directory of Postsecondary Institutions
Visit Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education to see a summary of every higher education institution in the State, divided by State Colleges, Community Colleges, University of Nebraska, Independent Colleges and Universities, and Private Career Schools. Individual links to each campus are included.
Nebraska Educational Service Units
The Nebraska Department of Education maintains a geographic representation and links to the state's 19 intermediate education agencies called Educational Service Units or ESUs.
Nebraska Department of Education
Nebraska Department of Education website includes links to all departments and services, including a teacher locator directory, state standards, assistive technology, and of special interest, the Education Technology Home. The Education Technology Center also has links to the Nebraska Educator Technology Competencies and the Rubric of Essential Technology Conditions.
Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (ccpe)
Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (ccpe) website contains data and statistics on Nebraska colleges and universities as well as meeting information for the Coordinating Commission.
Nebraska Public Media (formerly Nebraska Educational Telecommunications)
Nebraska Public Media website includes sections on Television, Public Radio, and Educable as well as Educational Services related to distance learning and interactive media.
U.S. Department of Education - Office of Educational Technology (OET)
U.S. Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology website has links to Budget & Legislation, Digital Divide, Distance Learning, Evaluation & Assessment, International, Internet Safety, and Internship Opportunities. The site also includes grants, resources, a director of state educational technology centers, and reports/speeches.
Web-based Education Commission
This website contains the final report of the Web-Based Education Commission covering their study on how the Internet affects teaching, learning, and educational research including positive aspects and potentials as well as barriers and concerns.
Education and Information Technology Conferences
ISECON Annual Conference
The Foundation for IT Education holds their annual information systems education conference for information systems educators from around the world. It is the longest, continuous running conference for IS educators! At ISECON, leading educators and technology experts meet to share information about current and emerging technology, a variety of curricular issues, and development techniques, while establishing and strengthening industry/academic relationships.
A virtual conference via Zoom held in March or October.
CoSN Annual Conference
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) holds its annual conference for K-12 School Networking across the U.S usually in March or April. The purpose of CoSN’s Annual Conference is to advance the knowledge and skills of K-12 school leaders. We delve into crucial topics such as cybersecurity, student data privacy, and the implementation of generative AI in schools — issues at the forefront for educational institutions and their communities. CoSN provides an unparalleled platform for districts to deepen their understanding of these critical issues and explore effective strategies for addressing them safely and successfully within the K-12 system.
Our focus is on delivering a diverse mix of keynote speakers, interactive sessions, learning and networking opportunities, and more that equip school leaders with the insights and tools necessary to safeguard K-12 technology.
Digital Teaching & Learning Conference (DT&L) (formerly Distance Teaching & Learning Conference)
UPCEA (University Professional & Continuing Education Association) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison sponsor the Annual Conference on Digital Teaching & Learning (DT&L) in early February.
Digital Teaching & Learning Conference (DT&L) is centered around the theme of Designing the Future. DT&L is a free* and virtual event dedicated to showcasing innovative practices, research, and digital teaching design and strategies within postsecondary education. Instructional designers, faculty developers, and technologists working in the field of teaching and learning are encouraged to attend. As a reconceptualized event in UPCEA’s portfolio, attendees will be encouraged to share their insights, lead meaningful discussions, and connect with peers shaping the future of learning design. By eliminating the time and cost associated with travel, UPCEA will provide a superior peer-reviewed teaching and learning community event while staying true to the guiding principles of the Distance Teaching and Learning Conference (1984 - 2024).
*Free for UPCEA members.
EdMedia Annual Conference
EdMedia, the World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, and Telecommunications, is sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) and is normally held during May or June at various locations around the world.
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference
The EDUCAUSE annual conference is normally held in October or November at various hosted sites around the United States. EDUCAUSE is an international, nonprofit association whose mission is to help shape and enable transformational change in higher education.
eLearn Conference
The eLearn Conference focuses on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education. Normally held in October or November each year, the location rotates among invited sites in the U.S. and abroad. eLearn is sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
ICALT Conference
The IEEE Technical Committee on Learning Technologies (TCLT) brings together researchers, academics and industry practitioners who are involved or interested in the design and development of advanced and emerging learning technologies. ICALT (International Conference on Advanced Learning and Technologies) is normally held in July at various hosted sites around the world.
Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC)
FETC is one of the largest and best attended educational technology conferences. Normally held in January at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, it attracts a wide variety of education professionals and exhibitors.
Infotec Conference
Infotec, the Information Technology Conference and Exposition, is sponsored by the AIM Institute, and is typically held in April or May in Omaha, Nebraska. The Infotec conference provides a forum for exhibitors, educators, entrepreneurs, business managers and IT professionals to interact and exchange ideas and to develop business opportunities and learn the latest in information technology.
ISTELive & ASCD Annual Co-located Conferences
ISTELive is the annual conference sponsored by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). It is normally held around the third week of June in varying sites around the United States. ASCD Annual Conference sponsored by Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) is co-located with ISTELive.
In 2023, ISTE and ASCD joined forces to empower educators to improve methodologies and seamlessly integrate technology to advance student learning outcomes. As a collective organization, we’ve expanded our ability to serve educators throughout their careers, and are setting a course to design the future of education by preparing educators in effective pedagogy practices supported by technology.
"When you bring together ASCD's legacy of educational leadership with ISTE's vision for the future of learning you get something extraordinary. We're not just merging two organizations – we're combining decades of asking 'what if?' and then making those possibilities real. ISTE+ASCD represents the power of educators who have always dared to imagine better ways to teach, learn, and engage every student." - Richard Culatta, Chief Executive Officer, ISTE+ASCD
NLA Annual Conference (Nebraska Library Association)
The Nebraska Library Association holds their annual conference the third week in October each year.
The Nebraska Library Association (NLA) is a Chapter of the American Library Association (ALA) and a member of the Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA).
NETA Conference (Nebraska Educational Technology Association)
The Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA) Annual Conference is always held the last Thursday and Friday of April at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The event annually attracts over 2000 educators.
The Nebraska Educational Technology Association is a grassroots organization open to everyone interested in sharing information about using technology in the educational process.
SITE Conference (Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education)
The Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference is a multi-day event sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) and is normally held in March each year. This society represents individual teacher educators and affiliated organizations of teacher educators in all disciplines, who are interested in the creation and dissemination of knowledge about the use of information technology in teacher education and faculty/staff development. SITE is a society of AACE.
TCEA Convention & Exposition
TCEA Convention & Exposition provides a world-class conference experience that delivers results-focused continuing education for teachers, administrators, librarians, and more, helping you achieve both your personal and professional goals. Attendees can explore 700+ unique sessions, connect with 450+ exhibitors, and enjoy a forever-free TCEA membership. You’ll walk away with game-changing tools, strategies, knowledge, and know-how that will empower you to continue making a lasting impact on education.
The TCEA Convention & Exposition is normally held the first week in February at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Exemplary Projects and Best Practice
National Governors Association Center for Best Practices - K-12 Education Program
Governors are leading efforts across the country to ensure that students in their states graduate prepared to succeed in postsecondary, the workforce, and life. The NGA K-12 Education Team supports Governors in these efforts by regularly bringing together Governors’ education policy advisors to connect with and learn from each other and national and state experts in the field; providing ongoing responsive and proactive technical assistance; and through the development of resources and reports that spotlight promising practices and actionable strategies on timely topics, including addressing students’ academic needs and well-being and strengthening the educator workforce.
Numerous reports and policies on the effective use of technology in learning.
Aurora Institute (formerly International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL))
On October 28, 2019, iNACOL became the Aurora Institute, ushering in a new chapter in the evolution of our journey toward systems change in K-12 education.
The world is changing, and education must change with it. Since our founding, the Aurora Institute has led the growth of the nascent field of K-12 next-generation, competency-based education and personalized learning across the United States. As a hub for innovators across education, our work examines the needs for transformational change in K-12 systems, promotes best practices, identifies policy barriers, and makes recommendations for change. Together, we work to achieve a bold, future-focused vision of education through state and federal policy advocacy, field-building and knowledge creation, and connecting and convening.
iNACOL has a wealth of archived reports and research on the use of online learning in K-12 institutions.
eSchool News
eSchool News online edition has a significant number of best practices in school technology documented.
USDA Rural Development Technical Assistance Awards
Listing of all rural development technical assistance grants awarded by state and year.
Current awards are for:
- Broadband Technical Assistance Awards
- Community Facilities Grant Awards
- Multi-Family Housing Grant Awards
- Single Family Housing Grant Awards
Grants and Funding
USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs because we understand a strong community is rooted in its people. The commitment and resources we bring to rural communities helps drive economic security and prosperity. Our programs expand access to high-speed internet, electric, and transportation infrastructure, and support business growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials.
U.S. Department of Education Grants
U.S. Department of Education Web site includes grant links to Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to use Technology (PT3), Community Technology Centers (CTC), Learning Anywhere Anytime Partnerships (LAAP), Star Schools, Technology Literacy Challenge Fund (TLCF), Technology Innovation Challenge Grants (TICG), Interagency Education Research Initiative (IERI) and Assistive Technology. Extra federal and non-federal resources available here.
Gates Foundation (formerly Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)
This private foundation considers grant inquiries for educational technology in the "Helping all Students to Achieve" and "Gates Millennium Scholars" Programs.
Information Technology Journals
American Journal of Distance Education
The American Journal of Distance Education (AJDE), edited by Michael G. Moore, is one of the most important vehicles for the dissemination of research and scholarship in the field. The AJDE encourages submission of articles about critical perspectives on the values that drive distance education as well as its methods and techniques. It is designed for use by professional trainers; teachers in schools, colleges, and universities; researchers; adult educators; and other specialists in education and communications.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
With special sections on Technology and Distance Education, this prominent journal allows the reader to subscribe to the full Web version or click and read excerpts in select categories.
International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning (IRRODL)
The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning (IRRODL) is a new online refereed journal whose purpose is "to contribute and disseminate to practitioners and scholars worldwide scholarly knowledge in each of three areas: theory, research, and best practice in open and distance learning."
MIT Technical Review
MIT Technology Review: MIT's Magazine of Innovation is written to provide cutting-edge coverage of the Virtual Marketplace, Internet Politics, Biotech, Software Development, and Infotech.
Tech & Learning
Tech & Learning brings K-12 administrators, technology directors, media center specialists, and teachers complete and comprehensive coverage of hardware, software, telecommunications, emerging technologies--and their respective roles in education. FREE subscriptions are available for qualifying subscribers.
THE Journal
THE (Technological Horizons in Education) Journal offers a free one-year subscription to qualified individuals in U.S. educational institutions and training departments. T.H.E. also provides a subscription service to qualified industry representatives.
Information Technology Newsletter
Benton Institute for Broadband & Society FREE Newsletter (formerly Benton Foundation FREE Newsletter)
The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Communications-Related Headlines is one of the most widely read daily electronic newsletters.
ComputerWorld FREE Newsletters
Computerworld provides dozens of free newsletters on information technology issues.
EDUCAUSE FREE Newsletters
EDUCAUSE offers several publications that focus primarily on information technology in higher education: EDUCAUSE Review, EQ-EDUCAUSE QUARTERLY, EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative.
InfoWorld FREE Newsletters
InfoWorld.com provides a choice of over two dozen free daily, biweekly, and weekly electronic newsletters on a variety of information technology topics.
TechNewsWorld
TechNewsWorld.com is a real-time news service, updated 24 hours a day, in multiple languages. Their editorial mission is to provide a central resource for technology news links from around the world. TechNewsWorld.com uses a proprietary system that, within the subject of technology news, is more comprehensive and timely than any of the world's leading search engines. You must bookmark this site and updates are provided every 5 minutes.
Technology CyberTimes Archives
Each Wednesday, the CyberTimes (New York Times) Education column examines events and developments concerning the use of technology in education, including teaching software, the presence of computers in the classroom and teacher training. Readers can subscribe to daily e-mail updates with headlines about technology.
ZDNet FREE Newsletters
ZDNet publishes dozens of FREE e-mail newsletters - a great way to stay informed on your favorite tech topics, including news, downloads, Internet, games, Web development, investing, IT management and much more. Jesse Berst's Anchordesk is one of the more popular.
Miscellaneous Resources
Applied Information Management (AIM) Institute
The Applied Information Management (AIM) Institute is a not-for-profit membership organization created by a consortium of Nebraska business, education and government entities to support and promote business growth related to information technology.
Milken Family Foundation Technology Exchange
Numerous reports and articles are available for free download from this site related to educational technology.
National Education Association (NEA)
The National Education Association (NEA) is more than 3 million people—educators, students, activists, workers, parents, neighbors, friends—who believe in opportunity for all students and in the power of public education to transform lives and create a more just and inclusive society.
Professional Organizations
Association for Educational Communications and Technology
The Association for Educational Communications and Technology is the only international, professional association dedicated to the improvement of instruction through the utilization of media and technology. It provides a forum for the exchange of information among professionals in educational technology: audio-visual media, library and microcomputer specialists; education administrators; researchers; teachers and professors; learning resource specialists; curriculum developers; television producers and directors; and a variety of other professionals who require expertise in instructional technology. Membership is available for individuals.
Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
AITP is the professional association comprised of career-minded individuals who seek to expand their potential--employers, employees, managers, programmers, and many others. The organization seeks to provide avenues for all their members to be teachers as well as students and to make contacts with other members in the IS field, all in an effort to become more marketable in rapidly changing, technological careers. Membership fees in local chapters include national membership.
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
The Association (founded in 1981) is an international, educational, and professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge, theory, and quality of learning and teaching at all levels with information technology. The purpose of AACE is accomplished through the encouragement of scholarly inquiry related to information technology in education and the dissemination of research results and their applications. Membership includes one journal.
Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), a national non-profit organization, is the premier voice in education technology leadership. Their mission is to advance the K-12 education community's capacity to effectively use technology to improve learning through advocacy, policy and leadership development. Their members represent school districts, state and local education agencies, nonprofits, companies and individuals who share our vision. Individual memberships are available.
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
ISTE is a nonprofit professional organization with a worldwide membership of leaders and potential leaders in educational technology. They are dedicated to promoting appropriate uses of information technology to support and improve learning, teaching, and administration in K–12 education and teacher education. Membership includes one journal and 10% discount on all ISTE materials if you are a member of a State Affiliate such as NETA.
Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA)
The Nebraska Educational Technology Association exists for the purpose of providing leadership and promoting the application of technology to the educational process. Its span of interest includes all levels and aspects of education. Its annual conference draws over 2,000 educators and technologists. Membership includes a bi-monthly printed newsletter.
U.S. Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
The United States Distance Learning Association is a nonprofit organization formed in 1987. The association's purpose is to promote the development and application of distance learning for education and training. Their constituents include Pre-K through grade 12 education, higher education, home school education, continuing education, corporate training, military and government training, and telemedicine. Membership includes discounts at activities and one electronic newsletter.
Research: Technology and Learning
American Evaluation Association (AEA)
The American Evaluation Association is an international professional association of evaluators devoted to the application and exploration of program evaluation, personnel evaluation, technology, and many other forms of evaluation. Evaluation involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products, and organizations to improve their effectiveness. AEA has topical interest groups (TIGs) related to technology.
Education Policy Analysis Archives (EPAA)
The Education Policy Analysis Archives has eight years of research available for review. Permission is granted to copy any article if EPAA is credited and copies are not sold.
learningforward: The Professional Learning Association (formerly National Staff Development Council)
learningforward has a collection of over a dozen articles and interviews from authorities about technology and staff development. Search "technology".
SRI International Education (formerly Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Center for Technology in Learning)
SRI conducts high-quality research, builds capacity through technical assistance, and develops tech-supported innovations that improve teaching and accelerate and deepen learning. We integrate our expertise in education issues, student populations, and research methods to produce evidence-based insights.
For more than 50 years, SRI has been a leader in helping strategic partners find out what works, for whom, how, and why. SRI collaborates with federal, state, foundation, nonprofit, and commercial partners to improve teaching, education policies, and student learning. SRI's goal: to reduce barriers and optimize outcomes for all students.
U.S. Department of Education Publications
The U.S. Department of Education has 70+ reports and publications available related to educational technology dating back to 1985.
Training Opportunities
National School Board Association (NSBA)
The National School Board Association lists a collection of documents involving legal issues related to school technology.
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) International
The McREL Institute at ESC Region 13 helps schools, districts, and education agencies across the country strengthen their teaching, leadership, and student learning outcomes. Using evidence-based professional learning programs and school improvement guidance, we help teachers, principals, and central office instructional leaders advance their professional skills and make an even bigger difference for all students.
Technology Horizons in Education (THE)
Educators can select from numerous free webcasts and webinars for continuing education. Courses cover a variety of topics, including technology skill development, technology integration, enhanced teaching techniques and leadership. The Web-based courses use the latest online technology and tools.