The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) presented its 2007 Distance Learning Gold Award to Gary Wood, a clinical associate professor in the USC School of Social Work, for best practices in distance learning programming. This year's awardees will be listed in the July 2007 edition of "Distance Learning Today," a quarterly supplement in USA Today.

The association annually honors major accomplishments in distance learning, highlighting outstanding individuals and organizations from around the world that have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite and blended learning delivery technologies.

"Gary and his team have raised the bar and exceeded expectations for the industry as a whole and should be commended for their contributions to the distance learning industry," John Flores, USDLA's chief executive officer, said.

Wood received the accolade for an online course he developed with Gregg Ackerman of Woodmere Road Productions to help students hone their ability to diagnose psychiatric disorders using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

"Utilizing technology to offer alternative means of education is still a relatively new concept, especially for schools of social work," Wood said. "We're breaking new ground, so receiving a prestigious acknowledgment like this helps validate that we're on the right path."

The one-unit elective course designed for those interested in careers in mental health begins with an introduction on how to diagnose as well as an overview of the DSM and the mental status exam. Students are directed to do the readings offline, then come back and apply the readings through a series of multimedia exercises, which feature actors simulating various anxiety and mood disorders in mock cases that students are asked to diagnose. Students test their skill level through self-assessments after each module, which they can revisit as often as they want. The mid-term exam is submitted online, but the final exam must be taken in person, on campus.

"It's a different way of taking a course," said Wood. "I think we've come out with a fairly sophisticated educational product that engages the student and helps them to be a really active learner," he said. "It's an interactive course, far from just talking heads or presenting text on screen."

The Diagnosing DSM course has also received recognition for its inventiveness from the USC Stevens Institute of Innovation, which selected it for its inaugural "Innovation Showcase," an exhibit of interactive demonstrations featuring USC's most cutting-edge research and breakthroughs.

Wood is in discussions to license the Diagnosing DSM course to other schools, citing applicable content for multiple disciplines, portability and cost savings as important factors in its marketability. The course also may be offered as part of the school's continuing education program as a refresher prior to licensure. A second online course on psychopharmacology is currently in development.