Latest trends explained
Distance Education Week celebrated
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

A special celebration for Distance Education Week, August 1-5, took place at the Greensburg Community Learning Center on Wednesday, August 3, from 8:30 till 10:30 a.m.

Larry Montgomery, College Cooperative Southeast Regional Director, and his staff hosted the event which explained the advances in community education and the partnership involved.

With the support of the Indiana College Network, today there are over 70 Community Learning Centers - locations with trained staff to help students identify learning opportunities and to help them achieve their educational goals.

Each of the centers operates differently, according to Montgomery, but all serve for one ultimate goal: To ensure that all Indiana residents are aware of the educational opportunities in their communities by distance education.

In order to make the program successful, partnerships have been established among state colleges and universities, high school administrators and guidance counselors, city and town officials, businesses and manufacturers, the print and electronic media, human resources, police and fire departments.

Among the online services available are registration and financial aid information, research for careers and degrees, directions for meeting educational goals, testing, the provision of classroom and student support.

"Communication, transportation, and the information highway have really changed our goals for education," said Robert Peacock, economic development director for Scott County.

Peacock spoke for Scottsburg Mayor William Graham, who was unable to attend. After he had explained Scott County's distance learning accomplishments, Peacock said, "We can get all our education right at home."

Using a power-point presentation, Montgomery showed the growth of distance education in Southeast Indiana, noting that 30 counties have had involvement.

The mission of the College Cooperative Southeast is "To provide access to learning opportunities and services which enhance the quality of life in Southeastern Indiana."

Cindy Hutcherson, who is the assistant director of admission and career services at Ivy Tech in Madison, explained that she had received a master's degree from Ball State University through distance education. "It fits with our busy lifestyle," she said.

Others involved with Ivy Tech, which is now called Community College of Indiana, spoke of the advantages of distance learning and the availability of courses through the internet, two-way video, receive sites, and learning centers.

The Indiana Partnership for Statewide Education, which began in 1992, was a product of Indiana colleges and universities to deliver classes to students regardless of their education. The "Originating Institution" is defined as the institution which plans, produces, and delivers any specific course.

"Home Institutions" are the places where students' records are maintained and where they can pursue a degree or program of study. A "Receive Site" is a location with all equipment to receive distance education televised classes.

Indiana Virtual Academy

Dr. Fred Sagester, director of the Indiana Virtual Academy, spoke of the offerings of courses for high school students. Both Sagester and Program Coordinator Ally Sizemore as well as several staff members from the Southeastern Career Center were present for the distance education program.

According to Dr. Sagester, the Ripley County Learning Network has served over 300 students over the past two-and-a-half years and in the four Ripley County schools and those involved in the Southeastern Career Center. It has the sanction of the Indiana Department of Education.

The Ripley County Learning Network began as an initiative of the Ripley County Community Foundation through a CAPE grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. It actually was considered as a "virtual consolidation" of Ripley County's four school corporations.

Online courses are available in business, computers and technology, English, fine arts, foreign language, health, mathematics, science, and social studies. Advanced Placement courses and test preparation for SAT and ACT are also available online, along with skill building exercises and practice tests.

"As a result of the RCLN success," said Dr.Sagester, "the Indiana Virtual Academy has opened the 'virtual doors' to all Indiana students and schools.

Information on courses, course costs, and registration is available online at www.IndVA.org or by calling (812) 689-5253, Ext. 269.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

Seated from left are Dr. Fred Sagester, director, and Ally Sizemore, program coordinator, who attended the Distance Education Week celebration at the Greensburg Community Learning Center on Wednesday, August 3. In addition to information on college courses presented by Larry Montgomery, regional director for College Cooperative Southeast, Dr. Sagester explained the offerings of Indiana Virtual Academy for high school students.