Empowering Excellence in the Shifting Landscape of
Digital Learning
February 5-7, 2025

Welcome to the FDLA/FAMTE Virtual Conference 2025!

This year, we are Empowering Excellence in the Shifting Landscape of Digital Learning!

We’re thrilled to have you join us for this 3-day virtual event, and we’re dedicated to making your experience engaging, smooth, and rewarding.

Stay Updated: Check this page regularly for any updates, including changes to presenters or sessions, to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Mobile Access: Planning to participate on your phone? Please download the Zoom mobile app to make the most of your virtual conference experience.
Need Help? If you experience any technical issues during the conference, we’re here to help! Please call the FDLA Technical Director George Romagosa at 754-368-3242 for assistance. You can also email technical@fdla.com.

Become a Member: Not yet an FDLA member? Join today and enjoy the benefits of our growing community dedicated to advancing distance learning. Register to become a new FDLA member here.

Conference Sponsors

Thank You to Our Sponsors: A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors who make this event possible. We invite you to learn more about them throughout the conference and recognize their valuable support.

United States Distance Learning Association

UCF Digital Learning

Kialo Edu

Thank you for being part of our event! We look forward to a fantastic experience together as we explore Empowering Excellence in the Shifting Landscape of Digital Learning!

Keynote Speakers

Distance Education Policy – What’s Next?

Cheyl Dowd
Wednesday, Feb 5th - 9:00am

Cheryl Dowd directs the activities of State Authorization Network (SAN), including coordination of staff addressing interstate policy and compliance as well as other ancillary compliance issues. Additionally, she serves the overall WCET membership in addressing emerging and special regulatory issues related to digital learning in postsecondary education. Cheryl is a contributing author for a guidebook for understanding the legal basis for State and Federal compliance for activities of post-secondary institutions, State Authorization of Colleges and Universities. Cheryl earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Richmond, master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University, and bachelor’s degree in Political Science from James Madison University.

Tiffany Morgan
Wednesday, Feb 5th -1:00pm

Tiffany Morgan serves as an education program coordinator for Iowa PBS and conducts research, design, production and implementation of locally created educational media resources. In her 17 years at Iowa PBS, Tiffany has served as an instructional designer for distance learning courses, professional development initiatives as well as educational and general audience media productions. Most recently she led the Iowa Science Phenomena, a collaborative project between Iowa PBS, Iowa organizations and educators to curate and share a growing collection of Iowa-specific NGSS phenomena, receiving a 2022 National Educational Telecommunications Association Public Media Award for Innovation in Education and the 2024 USDLA Gold Trendsetter in Distance Learning Award. Over her 20- year career she has designed elearning training for military and government clients and instructed graduate courses in distance learning practices and pedagogy at Iowa State University School of Education. A graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instructional Technology, Tiffany enjoys research into the intersection of science, technology, data and the arts.

Empowering Inclusive Excellence: UDL Strategies for the Digital Age

Dr. Brett Christie

Thursday, Feb 6th - 9:00am

Dr. Brett Christie (he/him/his) has worked in higher education for over 25 years, with extensive experience leading teaching effectiveness and student success initiatives involving a myriad of stakeholders at campus, system, and national levels. Many of these efforts have included curricular redesign for more innovative and effective uses of technology, including quality online-blended course design and delivery. Since earning his doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction in 1997, he has applied his knowledge and passion to become an established teacher, researcher, and thought leader on many topics in contemporary education. These range from sound fundamentals of effective course design and delivery to more innovative practices and uses of technology to provide greater access, engagement, and real-world application. In particular, Brett is known as an expert in applying Universal Design for Learning in post-secondary education as a means for greater equity, accessibility, and inclusivity. He has led many faculty and institutional efforts to apply the principles of UDL in ways to enable success by the greatest number and diversity of students possible. As a first generation college student himself, Brett is particularly invested in closing equity gaps that exist in postsecondary education.

The Power of G.R.I.T. in the Math Classroom

Dr. India White

Friday, Feb 7th -11:30am

Dr. India White is a TEDx speaker, national educational consultant, author of 45+ books, and author for SAVVAS Learning. India is a 3-time graduate of the University of Florida, majoring in math, educational leadership and educational leadership and administration.White has held positions as a math teacher, math coach, Assistant Principal, and a National Ed Consultant. India’s mission is to find out how to use equitable practices while developing grit in students to bridge the achievement gap. Dr. White has presented on Equity and Culture at the 2023 MACUL Conference in Michigan, Equitable Math Practices at the 2024 Hawaii International Education Conference, The Power of Grit at the 2023 NCTM Annual Conference, and on Equity at the 2023 NCSM Virtual Conference. India is a member of the National School Board Association, the Superintendent’s Association, National Alliance of Black School Educators, and National Council of Supervisors in Mathematics and National Council of Teachers in Mathematics. She currently serves as the Equity and Access Chair for the Florida Council of Teachers in Mathematics.