Technology in Rural EducationThe use of educational technology in rural schools can maximize the natural advantages of rural schools and alleviate the disadvantages. Rural schools often face geographic isolation, shortages in specialized staff, low student enrollments, small numbers of special needs students, limited program offerings for students, and limited opportunities for staff development for teachers and administrators. In 1992, the National Congress on Rural Education identified barriers to the improvement of rural education in the areas of funding, provision for special circumstances of rural education, staff development, adequate and qualified teaching personnel, administrator work overload, and remedial education. Technology can overcome or alleviate these barriers. Technology available for rural schools includes personal computers and software, and distance learning and telecommunication technologies, such as audiographics, two-way interactive television, electronic mail, electronic bulletin boards, online databases, and information networks. Library technologies offer specialized CD-ROM discs for reference services and telecommunications networks for online library searches. Technology use in rural schools should be evaluated in terms of whether or not it serves the purpose for which it is employed and what data supports the evaluation. To make successful improvements, rural school leaders must establish a climate of trust and openness, evaluate and screen the various possibilities for improvement, and provide administrative and financial support for the change effort. (KS) |
Contents
Introduction | 7 |
Available Technology for Rural Schools | 15 |
Library Technologies for Rural Schools | 27 |
Copyright | |
Common terms and phrases
AISESnet audio Audiographic Barker cation CLASSMATE or CIP Classroom Instruction Program College computer software Congress on Rural connected to Internet cooperative distance learning curriculum E-mail Educa educational conferences educational technologies effective electronic bulletin boards electronic database Electronic Field Trips Electronic Mail ERIC/CRESS Online evaluation facsimile machines fastback fiber optics graphics GTE Educational Network Howley Illinois improve Index/Select K-12 schools large number libraries Macintosh magazines ment microcomputer modem modern technology MS-DOS NDLC Needs of Rural nology North Carolina offer Owensboro P.O. Box Phi Delta Kappa Readers interested receiver sites Regional Education regular telephone lines Remedial Education satellite slow-scan TV small school Special Education special needs SpecialNet sponsored Staff Development statewide networks teachers and students tech technology can help technology in rural telecommunications networks Texas tion tional topics two-way interactive TV U.S. Depart University updated urban schools users Vaughan vides WILSEARCH WILSONDISC databases zine