Tennessee Education Reform May Include K-12 Distance-learning
Virtual Classrooms Are Not Just for Colleges and Universities
Founded in 2001 by Scott M. Niswonger, the Niswonger Foundation mission is to "create opportunities for individual and community growth through education." Its purpose is to prepare East Tennessee for growth and change by supporting education projects, such as the K-12 distance-learning project.
Senator Frist showcased the project as part of his "SCORE initiative." SCORE or the "State Collaborative On Reforming Education" is a grassroots education improvement organization. The SCORE initiative includes leading public meetings, project teams, and engaging philanthropies such as the Niswonger Foundation to support education projects.
The virtual classroom project involves K-12 instructors leading multiple classrooms through video-conferencing. The students in the Bristol and Greenville classrooms were able to communicate and interact with the teacher with no technical difficulties. Distance-learning using this method has been integrated successfully in higher education classrooms for a number of years.
The Niswonger Foundation and the Bristol School System are working on a plan to share 21 courses with other Tennessee districts. The Greeneville and Green County school districts are participating in the project.
Distance-learning is not just for colleges and universities. SCORE, the Niswonger Foundation, and Tennessee schools and citizens have embarked on a project to bring distance-learning into the K-12 classroom. Other states, including Virginia, are investigating the feasibility of bringing e-learning into the classroom.
The technology exists but the costs to set up and maintain the equipment have been a deterrent. The estimated cost of setting up the Bristol-Greeneville project feed was $8,000 per classroom, which may be reduced if the project moves to additional classrooms. Philanthropies such as the Niswonger Foundation may also assist with the cost.
Imagine a district that does not have a Spanish language or chemistry professor; technology can bring these teachers to students in areas that do not have these courses available. Virtual classrooms are a significant step forward to bring education opportunity to K-12 students through distance-learning.
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For more info:
Frist Boosts 'Promising' Distance-Learning: Former Senator Stresses Value of Innovative School Program
The Niswonger Foundation
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