So You're a Distance Learner? Tips and Suggestions for Rural Special Education Personnel Involved in Distance Education

Abstract

Distance education technology is rapidly becoming a means for delivering both preservice and inservice courses and content for rural teachers, paraprofessionals, related service personnel, and others involved in special education. Yet, learning at a distance can be both intimidating and challenging. This article is designed to be distributed to distance education students by distance education instructors and describes how persons who find themselves involved in distance learning can break down barriers that inhibit learning and make the most of the experience. The tips and suggestions offered are based on the experience of instructors and participants who have been involved in university distance education courses and activities since 1989 and on suggestions from publications stemming from special education programs in distance education.

Addressing Personnel Needs for Rural Areas

“…These topics are listed in Table 8. The literature reviewed (Table 1) was congruent with the topics listed in the surveys in two areas: First, coping with professional isolation (Collins, 1999;Mack & Boehm, 2001;Selander, Eigenberger, Peterson, Shellady, & Prater, 2001) and, second, teaching about the impact of culture and language (Delandy- Barmann et al, 1997;Sealander et al, 2001). Thirty six percent of the rural project abstracts identified no specific rural knowledge or skills other than state generic special educator competencies.…”

“…Personnel preparation for rural service Collins, & Schuster, 2001 Historical sketch Ludlow, 1998 Historical sketch; discussion of current issues Passaro, Pickett, Latham, HongBo, 1994 Survey research (North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming) Squires, 1996 Literature review Personnel preparation models & pedagogy Beattie, Spooner, Jordan, Algozzine, & Spooner, 2002 Churchill, Jensen, & Cepello, 2001 Program description (California) Collins, Schuster, Ludlow, & Duff, 2002 Literature review; program description (Kentucky) Collins, Schuster, & Grisham-Brown, 1999 Program description (Kentucky) Fishbaugh, Christensen, & Burdge, 1999 Program report ( Squires, 1996 Literature review Whitworth, 2000 Program report (Texas) jects have been asked to file their final reports with the ERIC system, but follow through on this request occurred erratically (Judi DeCarme, personal communication, October, 2002). The authors believe that a synthesis of the findings of published articles with grant sponsored activities and outcomes can be helpful in at least two ways.…”

Giving Teachers a Chance: Taking Special Education Teacher Preparation Programs to Rural Communities

“…A back-up plan to thwart technological glitches became essential. Students needed to be at least somewhat familiar with the technology and they needed to be willing to take the initiative when something went wrong at their site (Collins, Schuster, & Grisham-Brown, 1999). Communication between faculty and students at remote sites sometimes required extra effort.…”

Training Rural Educators in Kentucky through Distance Learning: Impact with Follow-up Data

“…When students cannot see the instructor or ask questions privately at the end of class, there is a need for alternative solutions for how to communicate with the instructor. Collins, Schuster and Grisham-Brown (1999) have provided suggestions for how distance education students may communicate with their instructor more regularly including calling the instructor at home, using email, and sending faxes. While students were encouraged to use email and fax, most wanted direct communication during real time to discuss course-related issues.…”