Successful Distance Education - Lifeline for Small Schools

Session Description:

Technology in distance education has both positive and negative aspects. In this session, the presenters will discuss how to achieve success and overcome many obstacles by changing the perceptions of parents and students.

Web-based and IITV delivery of learning can provide a lifeline for small schools. Teresa and Greg will focus on the use of these systems in their schools and explain how they offer students in very small high schools the opportunity to graduate. The issues they discuss will include staffing, timetabling, budgeting, and increased schedule flexibility for all students. This session will be of interest to anyone who wishes to use technology to enhance program options for students as well as to teachers who need to develop distance-education skills.

Presenters: Teresa Meggison and Greg Thompson

Teresa Meggison has been teaching for ten years in small schools and
the past four years has served as principal in a K-Sr. IV school of less than 100 students. She has taught Math, French and Physics courses for the past six years using Interactive Instructional Television (IITV). Teresa has also been involved in using WebCT and independent study courses.

Greg Thompson has been teaching for 26 years with 18 of those in administration. Greg is currently principal of a small K-Sr. IV school, where he uses WebCT to teach courses. As a co-ordinator, Greg was part of the original committee to implement IITV within his school division ten years ago. Two years ago, he also headed the change from the IITV system to an IP-based system. During his time as IITV coordinator, Greg has been directly involved with in-service of teachers, parents and students and has dealt with the many issues that arise when using technology in distance education.