Distance Learning success in Rural Southeast Nebraska

Amazingly easy to use | Project history | Fiber Contruction | Already making an impact | Classroom Experience |

Already Making an Impact
The capacity of the BNI-Galaxy network and its ease of use has allowed it to be quickly integrated into the Nebraska educational system. Teachers and students alike have adapted quickly to the new technology. "Our teachers that are using the system have learned a great deal," comments Jim Moore of Friend Public School. "I think they've probably surprised themselves a little bit."

The impact that the network is having on both students and teachers is already evident. Jennenne Puchalla of Adams Public School has experienced it first-hand. "It's a wonderful thing to touch more students out there. I'm reaching out to other schools‹I see them, they see me. I'm getting to know a lot more students within the system.˛

Complete control and access of the network is achieved through a combination of the software (EDCOMM™) and a handheld remote control. Its user-friendliness has been a key factor in making teachers feel comfortable with the technology. According to Shirley Gautreaux of Friend Public School, being able to control the system with a click of a button offers a "real feeling of power." Teachers are becoming more and more confident each day with controlling views and taking advantage of special features such as far-end device control. It is commonplace to see a teacher pan or zoom a camera that is located in a classroom some 50 miles away.

Teachers have also discovered the value of "two video out" per classroom, allowing them to display both the instructor and the document camera views simultaneously. This provides maximum visual information for students. Students claim that the technology at times actually makes learning easier. Through the use of the multimedia equipment in the room, teachers are able to explain information in new exciting ways that appeal to a more diverse set of learning styles.

Live full-motion video signals allow for more natural communication to take place in the classroom. All participants are seen and heard with no delays or choppy video compression techniques. "We're in different classrooms, but we see them and hear them, so it's pretty much like we're all in the same room," says Tui Huebert, a senior at Henderson High School. It is obvious that BNI has taken great strides to make the technology as transparent as possible--they clearly understand that it is there to enhance the learning experience, not detract from it.

Classroom Experience
The development of this natural classroom environment has resulted in something that no one had anticipated. Teachers and students actually connect on a personal level much like in a traditional classroom. "No one can convince me now that this is a cold system," says Jim Moore. Students have gotten to know each other and see their distance-learning counterparts as classmates in every sense of the word. They laugh together, talk about their sports teams and even get together for games and other events, says Susan Steuer of Friend Public School. Distance learning has become an extension of the classroom, and an extension of the community.

Schools are already realizing expanded curriculums and opportunities for future development of the program. In just the first year, the system is being used to offer such classes as calculus, psychology, music theory, German, Spanish and creative writing, with many more to be added in upcoming years.

These new course opportunities mean a lot to students like Erin Henshaw, a senior at Norris High School. Henshaw is enlisted in the Marines and will leave for Germany upon graduation. "I never thought I'd be able to learn the language before I went over there. I always thought 'I'm going to be on the base and not talk to the people...not know what they're saying,' " she explains. Thanks to distance learning, Henshaw has been able to acquaint herself with the language before even setting foot in the country.

Other students also see distance learning as a tool for their lives beyond high school. Many are enrolled in college credit courses such as psychology, sociology and technical writing. "This semester, I'm taking sociology and it is going pretty well," says Emily Gallagher, a senior from Friend Public School. "It's college transferable, so I'll be able to use it when I go to the university next year. I actually get dual-credit--my English class I took last semester will count for a year of high school English, too."

The question of student performance has been ruled out as a drawback by Nebraska educators. From test scores, assignments, class participation and other factors, teachers have found that there has been little difference academically between students in their classrooms and those participating via the network. "What we found out was that the kids meshed right in with our kids that the averages were right about the same. In total, they appear to understand every concept," Steuer explains.

In addition, instructors and administrators are using the system on a regular basis to communicate with colleagues and participate in training sessions.

The teachers, students and administrators of rural Nebraska look to the future as one of endless opportunity for education. The partnership between these schools, BNI and Galaxy Cablevision has sparked new hope and excitement in the Nebraska educational system. Blaine Friesen, Principal of Henderson Community School, describes it best--"Teaching over distance learning is whatever your imagination can come up with." It's whatever you can dream.

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