Distance Education in Rural America's Learning Evolution.

Distance Education in Rural America's Learning Evolution.

As we approach teaching and learning within the Macon County Public School System, we also face new platforms and mediums of learning. Most recently this school system was afforded a award; the Apple Connect Ed Grant. This piece of technology will greatly impact the teaching and learning outcomes, recruitment of teachers, and it will benefit local and distance industry who seek to employ our graduates. The overall instructional improvement benefits from this grant are unimaginable and invaluable.

The two secondary schools in this district and one elementary school of whom are recipients are: Notasulga High School, Booker T. Washington High School, and Tuskegee Public Elementary School. The Career & Technical Education Center that serves both high school populations has been included in the grant. Due to the limited resources in this district I see the greater need for such a grant of this magnitude. Career & Technical Education has advanced greatly within the past 10 years specifically in the area of technology. This grant will not only advance existing programs but will be an incubator for new programs. Over the yeas there has been a need to redirect vocational education to technical education which is providing more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts in the curriculum.

Moving forward, I see the extended services of distance education in technical education. At present we are developing a course that is a technical education course which will be delivered via a distance education platform. We are considering a hybrid approach towards meeting the needs of the students. Yes, this concept is new but it is needed. My views have transitioned greatly on distance education in P-12 settings. As I look at the need to expose students to curricula, I see that need being met with this innovation. When I work with parents who need resources that are miles away, I see the need becoming a reality. When I witness industry that will never see inside of rural America, I now see the possibility of a clearer view of the environment being seen and understood through new lenses.

Before I began this course and program, my awareness of distance education was not as influenced as it has become. I see where students can learn both ability and disability groups. I see where teachers can resource and research information having limited opportunities available to them. I also see the impact that educational leadership has on teaching and learning from the benefits of distance education and the new connections to resources. The connection that can be made from distance education both in and out of the classroom is yet be defined.

On last week, I had the opportunity to work with a group of students in our dual enrollment program. These students were sharing with me their plans to credential in the area of Automotive Services. Well, the credentialing process is different for each program which caused me to wonder how will you do this during the summer. For this program the credential assessment is online. This is a facet of distance education in that a password, log-in identification, internet assess, and an awareness of technology is needed. I was impressed at their readiness as high school students to sit for this assessment. They understood that it would be a timed assessment and that their teacher would not be able to assist them during the exam. Again, I was impressed. The students have embraced global concepts of distance education which will allow them college and career success.

As I close, I support distance education in public education at all levels. Students can learn when their needs are met. This is often said but many times mis-understood and not put in place. The outcomes of the students are yet to be determined which is the reason as education that we must embrace change. However, with exposure coupled with professional planning all students rather in an affluent or non affluent community, they can learn using distance education as a vehicle for success.

Resource:

Tracey, M., & Richey, R. (2005). The evolution of distance education. Distance Learning, 2(6), 17–21.

Posted by:
Melvin Alonza Lowe, III, EdD
Educational Director -
Career & Technical Education
lowema@maconk12.org
lowemelvin724@gmail.com