Robert, I've read about SLPS plans to utilize "distance learning" technology and I have read about the technology in general. As far as our machines having the capability of serving as the user terminal in such a set up. - Basically they can. They may have to be beefed up with a digital camera depending upon the degree of interaction between teacher and student that the district intends to include. There is also the need for a telephone connection, either utilizing the internet or dedicated phone lines. My experience with the SLPS is that they will get a huge government grant, buy all the expensive hardware and software they need, hire a number of technical experts and would laugh at the thought of utilizing our humble services. This type of system is used successfully in rural areas where students are geographically isolated. A good example is some of the islands off the Coast of Maine. It is also used successfully in some colleges. - Mineral Area Community College in the Farmington area has been running a distance learning system for several years. Theirs is based primarily on having a single instructor in one location conduct classes at several other district facilities in real-time. St. Louis Community College has some on-line courses but they don't quite meet the level of interaction that is implied by "distance learning".
Steve ________________________________ From: Robert Citek <[email protected]> To: Bworks_shop <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 11:47:38 PM Subject: [bworks_shop] Virtual schools Anyone here heard of this or familiar with this? http://www.slps. org/virtual_ school/ "The implementation of SLPS Virtual Schools is a part of the pioneering effort in St. Louis Public Schools to address the needs of all children anytime, anywhere, any place, any path and any pace. A “virtual school” is defined as an educational organization that offers K-12 courses through Internet or Web-based methods. Virtual K-12 is a form of distance education. Distance education might be defined as “formal education” in which instruction occurs while the teacher and learner are separate. The instructor led online courses are conducted by Missouri certified teachers using Missouri aligned curriculum." It would be interesting to know if the machines we award can work with whatever system is required for a Virtual School. Regards, - Robert [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
