Technology Bridges Education Gap in Rural Alaska

Most rural schools in Alaska are a combination of grades kindergarten through 12th grade, which means schools can't offer every single class students need.

Tools

By Corey Allen-Young

Story Created: Sep 13, 2011 at 2:00 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 13, 2011 at 2:00 PM AKDT

There is a gap between rural and urban education in Alaska.

Educators say it's not because students don't want to learn, but because there aren't enough teachers to bridge the gap. And, one way to accomplish that is to take the classroom to the students with the use of technology.

Most rural schools in Alaska are a combination of grades kindergarten through 12th grade, which means schools can't offer every single class students need.

One of the biggest problems facing rural students is how they will afford college. Governor Sean Parnell's Alaska Performance Scholarship could be a solution for some, but the program requires 16 core subjects to even be considered.

The Alaska Learning Network is using technology like the Internet to make sure all of Alaska's kids can get the same opportunity.

Compare a classroom in rural Alaska to one in Anchorage, and you’ll find that all students are just as eager to learn.

“They are not only as capable, they are hungry to learn and eager to take advantage of any of these opportunities that we give them,” said Steve Pine, superintendent of the Kashunamiut School District. But not all classes are created equal in rural Alaska.

“It makes it nearly impossible for those high schools to provide all of the math, English, social studies and science that those kids need to progress and to be ready for college,” said Woody Wilson, director of distance education for the Alaska Learning Network.

“If you’ve got a school with 20 total students in it –kindergarten through 12th grade— it’s unlikely that you’re going to have a foreign language teacher.”

The governor is trying to bridge the gap by giving out cash to students who make the grade. “No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter what your personal circumstances, you can get a college education,” said Governor Parnell back in October 2009.

Rural educators are expanding their methods of teaching to make their students competitive with those in cities like Anchorage.

Using interactive web and distance learning courses that use technology kids are already familiar with means more students can have the opportunity to learn no matter where they live.

“This blackboard platform allows students to text, they can email their teacher, their teacher can speak to them,” said Wilson.

“It’s incumbent upon both of us who can offer these things to make sure that we get it in their hands,” said Pine. For the most part, federal grants are funding programs like the Alaska Learning Network, but as part of President Barack Obama's proposed America's Job Act there could be dedicated funding to modernize computer labs and broadband to give more kids access to online learning in rural Alaska.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.