I came across this through an entry entitled spring conferences on the blog Alberta Distributed Education and Technology Association. It was a notice for Creating Rural Connections 2010, the annual conference of the Alberta Rural Development Network.

Tags: AERA, small schools, rural, education

Labels: AERA, education, rural, small schools

I guess this is turning into a full week of me cleaning out my RSS reader. This one from Educational Technology Research and Development:

Inquiry-based learning and e-mentoring via videoconference: a study of mathematics and science learning of Canadian rural students

In Educational Technology Research and Development

Abstract

This research seeks to (1) establish a feasible development and implementation model for an inquiry-based learning environment with e-mentoring using videoconference, and (2) apply the model to examine its impact on rural students’ learning. To achieve these goals, we developed a model of inquiry-based learning with e-mentoring (IBLE) based on CII’s inquiry model (Community Informatics Initiative 2009; http://inquiry.uiuc.edu/). We then tested the effectiveness of the IBLE model and reported our work in a rural context. Results showed that IBLE had enhanced students’ learning, most significantly on their affective development, including increased motivation, broadened understanding, and augmented career awareness. Implications for design and limitations of the study are also discussed.

• Content Type Journal Article
• Category Development Article
• DOI 10.1007/s11423-010-9156-3
• Authors
  • Qing Li, EDT, University of Calgary 2500 University Dr. NW Calgary AB Canada
  • Lynn Moorman, University of Calgary Calgary AB Canada
  • Patti Dyjur, University of Calgary Calgary AB Canada

• Journal Educational Technology Research and Development
• Online ISSN 1556-6501
• Print ISSN 1042-1629

Tags: AERA, small schools, rural, education

Labels: AERA, education, rural, small schools

And another from cleaning out my RSS reader. This one from Canadian Journal of Education/Revue canadienne de l'éducation:

Educational Priorities and Capacity: A Rural Perspective
Dawn C. Wallin & Laura Reimer

Tags: AERA, small schools, rural, education

Labels: AERA, education, rural, small schools

As I continue to clean out my RSS reader, another article notice via "journals" via Doug Holton in Google Reader that may be of interest:

A visit to a rural preschool in China

By (author unknown)

Abstract During a visit to a rural kindergarten (preschool) in China, children were observed in activities that integrated their learning with the lives of their families and their village, focusing on different types of plants being grown and harvested in the fields. Although many aspects of the program do not meet standards used in developed countries, the ability of the teacher to plan and conduct large group activities was admirable and the children displayed many positive behaviors.

• Content Type Journal Article
• DOI 10.1007/BF03174660
• Authors
  • Kathleen Sparkes, Onondaga Community College Early Childhood Education Program Syracuse New York

• Journal International Journal of Early Childhood
• Online ISSN 1878-4658
• Print ISSN 0020-7187
• Journal Volume Volume 22
• Journal Issue Volume 22, Number 2 / September, 1990

Tags: AERA, small schools, rural, education

Labels: AERA, education, rural, small schools

This came through my RSS reader last week via "journals" via Doug Holton in Google Reader :

Teaching in the Yukon: Exploring teachers’ efficacy beliefs, stress, and job satisfaction in a remote setting

By (author unknown)

Publication year: 2010
Source: International Journal of Educational Research, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 5 May 2010
Robert M., Klassen , Rosemary Y., Foster , Sukaina, Rajani , Carley, Bowman
This article presents a mixed methods examination of teachers’ job beliefs in the Yukon Territory in northern Canada. In Study 1 we used questionnaires to examine job beliefs for 221 teachers from the Yukon and western Canada. Teachers’ self- and collective efficacy and workload stress were lower for Yukon teachers, but levels of overall stress and satisfaction were similar across settings. In Study 2 we conducted interviews to examine how geographical, community, and cultural factors were related to Yukon teachers’ job beliefs. Results showed that job stress and job satisfaction were influenced by physical and human geography, level of connection...

Tags: AERA, small schools, rural, education

Labels: AERA, education, rural, small schools

The second session on K-12 online learning that I had outlined for Monday at the AERA 2010 conference was:

Scheduled Time: Mon, May 3 – 10:35am – 12:05pm Building/Room: Sheraton Denver / Grand Ballroom Section 2
In Session Submission: Rural Education SIG: Roundtable 7

Online Distance Education in Rural High Schools: Expanding the Role of the On-Site Facilitator
Authors: *Julie Thompson Keane (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill)
*Matthew J. Irvin (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill)
Claire de la Varre (UNC-Chapel Hill)
Wallace Hannum (University of North Carolina)

Abstract: The main objective of this study was to provide a richer and more detailed understanding of facilitators’ experiences and explore the effect of an intervention to improve the support facilitators provide rural students taking an advanced online course. Little research has examined key factors in online distance education, how to improve outcomes, or has involved rural secondary schools. This is noteworthy as dropout rates are typically higher in online courses and rural schools more often use such courses. We identified important themes and experiences in facilitators’ role that may inform future practices and began to clarify the effect of our intervention. Additional findings and connections between results, the intervention, and support for rural youth in online courses will be provided.

Like the previous session, I was presenting while this session was happening (and I'll be making a podcast of this second Monday roundtable of mine too) - but as luck would have it these folks were presenting in the same session, so we were at the same table.

This paper was a part of the larger study that Matt and his colleagues have been doing at the National Research Center for Rural Education Support in North Carolina. The project was looking at the training of school-based facilitators who were supporting virtual school students at rural schools. In the quantitative data, they had found that in the control group (i.e., where facilitators weren’t trained) there was a 70% drop-out rate, whereas in the treatment group (i.e., where facilitators had received their training) had a drop-out rate of only 40%. This particular paper focused on the qualitative data they have been collecting.

One of the main themes that came out was the rigor of the courses – particularly the Advanced Placement curriculum, which essentially scared the students out of the courses.

Another one of the main themes related to the facilitators positive views towards the scenarios that the NRCRES developed. Essentially these were cases that focused on issues that students might experience in a virtual school environment to help prepare the teachers for what their students might have to go through.

A third theme was the students concerns with their grades. As many of the students were the higher achieving students, they did not want anything that would potentially jeopardize their academic standing within the school and for their educational futures.

Another issue that came up related to notions of time management and helping students develop strategies for better structure and managing of their time.

Finally, there was a theme related to the benefits of virtual school – which was primarily related to the ability to enroll in some of these advanced-level or Advanced Placement courses that had never been offered at their local schools. There were also some comments related to personal growth, preparation for potential online studies they might have to take in post-secondary.

Note this entry is crossposted as AERA 2010 – Online Distance Education In Rural High Schools: Expanding The Role Of The On-Site Facilitator at Virtual School Meanderings.

Labels: AERA, AERA 2010, conferences, cyber school, education, high school, presentations, research, virtual school