Rural Schools and

e-Learning
Liam Bennett, Jasmine Brazil, Dara Crowell,
Leanne Donovan, Chris Downey, Liz Drover,
Laura Estrada, Jess Maddigan, Justin Noseworthy
*Note: The views expressed in this presentation are not necessarily those of the presenters
Introduction
Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation
offers more than 30 different high school courses
to over 100 schools in NL
implements D2L and Elluminate Live
Elluminate Live
YouTube
Guiding Question: Do the costs
of funding rural schools
outweigh the benefits?
Learning Circles: Activity #1
What does the research suggest?
What are the costs?
What are the benefits?
The Research: Pros & Cons
Pros for Rural Schooling
A Look at Schooling in Rural
Newfoundland and Labrador
Communication
Challenges for Rural Schooling
21
st
century learning
Knowledge and skills for the
workforce
Access to opportunity
More courses
Perspectives
E-learning platforms now
Adaptive & user-sensitive
Resources
School Culture
Local Education
Collaboration
Keep our school open!
Challenges of Rural Education
Right-sizing vs. Downsizing
Access to resources
Recruiting qualified teachers
High costs vs. limited funding
Learning Circles: Activity #2
Case Study:
Read and answer the questions
that follow.
Learning Circles: Activity #2
1. Do you agree with the NLESDs decision? Why or why not?
2. Do budgetary restrictions validate closing small, community schools, or
should the school board increase funding to meet the social and educational
needs of rural populations?
3. How can rural schools be kept open in the face of an increasingly
centralized and urban society?
Learning Circles: Activity #2
Now Vote!
Should Slow Stream Academy be kept open?
Green = Yes, the benefits outweigh the costs!
Red = No, it is just not feasible!
Conclusion
References
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//www.ruralpsych.com/page3.html
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More references
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33.
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Still more references
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Lots of references
Rao, K., Eady, M., & Edelen-Smith, P. (2011). Creating virtual classrooms for rural and remote
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