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Bringing the World Home...

© R. L. Head

I am taking a class which involves studying the concepts of online learning and how to develop a sense of community and a good learning environment. It has brought this very new field to my attention in a new way. I have briefly mentioned it in the past, but I have come to understand that distance education is a good solution to the problem of providing students with instruction in subjects which may not be in great demand locally or can not be taught locally due to a lack of various resources.

Right now, distance education is limited not so much by existing technology as by available technology. Video displays, instant communication, touch screens, and whiteboards are a few of the technologies which exist but only in unique, usually expensive environments. Even so, what is commonly available is more than what is necessary to get started.

I have heard many communities lament the loss of local schools because the area could not provide an adequate education for a limited number of students. Distance education eliminates many of the problems associated with a small student population. Students who wish to study certain subjects can do so long distance with the assistance of local teachers. The availability of online courses might make it possible for small communities to keep their students closer to home.

Interestingly enough the trend, once focused on large school campuses, is returning to the idea that smaller is better. While this may have been true for a long time in some areas of the country, Georgia is just getting around to discovering it. Ironically, our local school system tried to pass a bond referendum that failed that would have simply rebuilt the current high schools on new sites to accommodate larger numbers of students. Our local school board chose to ignore a study they commissioned which suggested the creation of a new high school and rezoning to accommodate the growth in population. The school board is very reluctant to let go of their concept even though our state is beginning to recognize the value of smaller schools.

There are many online institutions which are or are becoming accredited in order to allow them to provide legitimate school credit for students. Distance education, combined with assistance and supervision by local teachers, can allow students to study almost anything. Such a combination can give students the best of both worlds- the exposure to any subject and the individual attention provided by a local teacher. Imagine a resource teacher who would supervise an appropriate number of students who could each be studying a different subject. The teacher could provide guidance, supervision, and help as needed. The students would have access to the world.