The Global Distance Learning Association (GlobalDLA.org) is the international
extension of the New York Distance Learning Association (NYDLA) and the North
American Distance Learning Association (NADLA). With this expanded mission, the
GlobalDLA reaches a worldwide stage, serving as a unifying organization dedicated to
advancing high quality, equitable, and innovative distance education across borders.

The GlobalDLA brings together institutions, educators, researchers, policymakers, and
partners from around the world to shape the future of digital learning through
collaboration, research, professional development, and global advocacy.

Our Mission
The GlobalDLA’s mission is to promote excellence, equity, and innovation in distance
and digital education worldwide. We support institutions and educators in delivering
accessible, learner-centered, and culturally responsive education that meets global
workforce and societal needs.

Our Vision
We envision a world in which high quality education is accessible to learners
everywhere regardless of geography, language, or circumstance through trusted,
innovative, and inclusive distance learning ecosystems.

Our Values

Quality and Integrity: Upholding rigorous academic standards and ethical

educational practices

Equity and Access: Expanding educational opportunity for underserved and

global populations

Collaboration: Building partnerships across institutions, nations, and sectors

Innovation: Advancing research driven and technology enabled learning

Cultural Respect: Honoring diversity in learners, educators, and educational

systems

Distance education has become a central pillar of global higher education, workforce
development, and lifelong learning. The GlobalDLA serves as a trusted resource for
understanding international trends, opportunities, and challenges in online and hybrid
education. We address critical issues including cross-border program delivery, digital
equity, faculty readiness, learner engagement, accreditation, and the responsible use of
emerging technologies. By fostering global dialogue and evidence-based practice, the
GlobalDLA helps institutions navigate an increasingly interconnected educational
environment.

The GlobalDLA supports international collaboration through programs that connect
institutions, faculty, and learners across regions. These initiatives include global faculty
collaboration, virtual exchange programs, joint research projects, and international
online degree and credential partnerships. Our work emphasizes sustainable, scalable
models that respect local context while enabling global reach.

Ensuring quality in distance education across borders is central to GlobalDLA’s mission.
We provide guidance and resources on international quality assurance frameworks,
accreditation considerations, academic integrity, learner authentication, and assessment
validity. GlobalDLA supports institutions in aligning online programs with recognized
global standards while navigating regional regulatory environments.

The GlobalDLA advances the scholarship of digital education by disseminating
research, white papers, policy briefs, and case studies focused on global distance
learning. Our research initiatives explore effective pedagogy, learning science,
technology innovation, faculty development, and student success in diverse global
contexts. This work positions the GlobalDLA as a leading voice in shaping the future of
education worldwide.

The GlobalDLA is committed to advancing educational equity and inclusion through
distance learning. We focus on culturally responsive pedagogy, accessibility, Universal
Design for Learning, and strategies to close digital divides across regions. Our efforts 
support learners from underserved communities, displaced populations, and those
seeking flexible pathways to education and employment.

The GlobalDLA offers professional development opportunities designed for educators
working in global digital environments. These include international webinars,
certification programs, faculty institutes, and communities of practice focused on online
teaching excellence and cross cultural instructional design. Faculty development
initiatives emphasize evidence based pedagogy, learner engagement, and effective use
of educational technology.

The GlobalDLA serves as a forum for global dialogue on education policy and regulation
related to distance learning. We engage with governments, Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs), and international organizations to advocate for policies that
support innovation, quality assurance, and recognition of online credentials across
borders. Through research informed advocacy, the GlobalDLA amplifies the voice of the
distance education community worldwide.

The GlobalDLA hosts international conferences, summits, and virtual events that bring
together educators, administrators, researchers, and policymakers from around the
world. Our flagship Global Distance Learning Summit highlights emerging trends,
research findings, and innovative practices shaping the future of education. Events are
designed to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and global networking.

The GlobalDLA welcomes institutions, educators, researchers, corporations, non-
governmental organizations, and government partners committed to advancing global
distance learning. Membership provides access to international networks, professional
development, research collaborations, policy engagement, and opportunities to
contribute to global educational innovation.

The GlobalDLA explores the role of emerging technologies in transforming education
worldwide. Areas of focus include artificial intelligence, learning analytics, immersive
learning environments, virtual laboratories, and innovative credentialing models.
Our work supports institutions in adopting technology responsibly to enhance learning
outcomes and global access.

At the heart of the GlobalDLA’s mission are learners. We highlight global learner
experiences, success stories, and pathways enabled through distance education. These
perspectives reflect the transformative power of accessible, high-quality digital learning
across cultures and borders.

The GlobalDLA builds upon the strong foundation established by NYDLA and NADLA.
Together, these organizations form a connected ecosystem dedicated to advancing
distance learning locally, regionally, and globally. Through this unified structure, the
GlobalDLA extends proven leadership, expertise, and community engagement to the
global education community.

*****

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enrollment report 2017. Babson Survey Research Group.

Anderson, T., & Dron, J. (2011). Three generations of distance education pedagogy. The
International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 12(3), 80–97.
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Bunju, J. K., & Ndhlovu, D. (2025). Global trends on adoption of online distance learning
and access to higher education institutions for visually impaired students during COVID-
19: A bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social
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Garrison, D. R. (2017). E-learning in the 21st century: A community of inquiry
framework for research and practice (3rd ed.). Routledge.

Levin, R. C. (2024). Online learning & the transformation of global higher education.
Daedalus, 153(2), 262–274. https://doi.org/10.1162/daed_a_02079

Means, B., Bakia, M., & Murphy, R. (2014). Learning online: What research tells us
about whether, when and how. Routledge.
UNESCO. (2021). Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for
education. UNESCO.

Zawacki-Richter, O., & Qayyum, A. (Eds.). (2019). Open and distance education in Asia,
Africa and the Middle East. Springer.

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