Each year, the United States Distance Learning Association presents National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), a global week-long celebration of digital and distance learning designed to generate awareness, highlight best practices, and engage educators, institutions, learners, and organizations across K-20, corporate, government, and military sectors.1
In 2025, the theme is “The Great AI Disequilibrium”, focusing on how rapid developments in artificial intelligence are reshaping teaching, learning, access, and equity in online and hybrid environments.
What to Expect During National Distance Learning Week
- Free virtual webinars, panels, and networking sessions each day of the week.
- Daily “Online Daily Show” talk-shows (11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET) covering trending ed-tech topics.
- Deep-dive sessions on AI in education, neurodiversity and digital learning, student agency, peer connection in online learning, virtual field trips, and building social capital for learners. (For example: Monday’s panel “AI: The Great Disequilibrium” and Tuesday’s “AI: Friend or Foe for Learning & Development?”)
- Access to recorded sessions (free for USDLA members) and a chance to engage with presenters and peers globally.
Why It Matters
In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, distance learning offers access, flexibility, and innovation. NDLW provides an annual spotlight to:
- Recognize how online and hybrid modalities support working professionals, adult learners, rural and non-traditional students, and lifelong learning.
- Share and refine best practices for digital pedagogy, learner engagement, accessibility, and inclusion.
- Explore how emerging technologies—like AI—can enhance or disrupt learning, and how institutions can respond thoughtfully.
- Strengthen community among educators, instructional designers, support staff, and learners who operate outside the traditional brick-and-mortar classroom.
How Kent State Online is Participating
We’re proud to join the NDLW conversation and invite prospective students to take advantage of our special offer for the week.
From November 3–7, 2025 (ending at 11:59 p.m. ET), eligible 100% online undergraduate and graduate programs at Kent State Online will waive the application fee—use promo code DISTANCE25.
Why choose Kent State Online?
- Flexible scheduling for working professionals: learn anywhere, on your own timeline.
- Expert faculty bringing real-world experience and research-driven teaching.
- A wide array of programs across business, education, healthcare, and more—fully online and aligned with your career goals.
- The same academic quality and rigor you’d expect from Kent State—now delivered online with support tailored for adult and online learners.
How to take advantage:
- Explore our 100% online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
- Apply between November 3 and 7, 2025—the fee is waived automatically when the application is submitted within this window using the promo code DISTANCE25.
- After submitting your application, stay on track by sending transcripts and any required materials as directed.
Important details:
- The waiver covers only the application fee; tuition, deposits, and other costs still apply.
- The offer is valid for domestic students and for eligible 100% online undergraduate and graduate programs only.
- International applicants and students in other program types should review the specific terms.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re looking to advance your career, shift fields, deepen your expertise, or join the growing community of adult learners doing work-while-learning, this week offers a great entry point.
Join us during National Distance Learning Week—submit your application by November 7, 2025, and you’ll be one step closer to earning your online degree on your schedule.
