Friday, November 06, 2009
NRCRES Conference: Enhancing Distance Education In Rural Schools
The final day of The National Research Center on Rural Education Support's Supporting Rural Schools and Communities Research Conference (see program here). The breakout session today that focused upon K-12 distance education is:8:00 - 9:45
Break-Out Session I
Distance Education and Technology
Chairs: Judith Meece and Matthew Irvin
Discussant: Miles Bryant (UNL)
Presenters:
- Wallace Hannum (UNC-CH) and Matthew Irvin (UNC-CH) - Enhancing Distance Education in Rural Schools
- Michael Barbour (Wayne State University) - Supporting K-12 Students Online: Local schools, Virtual Schools, and Teacher Education
- Peggy Clements (REL-NEI) - Increasing Rural 8th Graders' Access to Algebra I: Is Online Education an Effective Alternative?
- Steve Oliver (UGA) - Relevance of NSF Drivers of Systemic Reform for Instructional Technology Interventions
This entry is focused on the first group in this session:
Wallace Hannum (UNC-CH) and Matthew Irvin (UNC-CH) - Enhancing Distance Education in Rural Schools
This session was a follow-up or more detailed focus on the qualitative results from yesterday's session (see NRCRES Conference: Overview Of The Enhancing Rural Online Learning Project). The data was based on discussion boards and interviews. Some of the findings included:
- scenarios very useful to facilitators
- felt strategies likely effective but time limitations often impeded use
- already knew students and families very well
- the APA Learner Centered Principles may be better for less experienced educators
Interestingly, the research targeted what they called "very small" rural school and for over 80% of the schools that participated in their study this was the first time they had online learning in their schools. Based on their findings, they found that the best facilitators
- communcated regularly
- kept teacher informed of absences in advance
- had some connection to the content
- were aware of what students were doing
- assisted students with daily activities
- kept students on task
- were more than just a "baby sitter"
- checked daily e-mails from teacher
- were effective classroom managers
In terms of practice, the researchers found the facilitators were likely important, particularly when there was good communication and awareness of the role.
Crossposted at Virtual High School Meanderings.
Labels: AERA, conferences, cyber school, education, high school, National Research Center on Rural Education Support, research, rural, rural education, small schools, virtual school
