Distance education could give rural students across Canada equal access to learning, said Jason Wiks of the Alberta Distance Education Centre.
“There’s no reason a kid shouldn’t have access to what they need,” said Wiks, speaking at a recent rural congress on education in Saskatoon. “There should be a day when a kid from Newfoundland can take a course from us.”
Distance education can be delivered via traditional mailed, print-based correspondence courses, but also through on-line computer and one- and two-way video programs.
Wiks advised school divisions contemplating distance education to match any programs offered to the needs of the students.
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He said distance education would work well for highly specialized courses with low enrolments and for supporting home-schooled students.
Wiks said only half who start in correspondence will finish, while the majority of those doing on-line programs will complete them. Most enjoy the interaction, the “snap of technology,” access to internet resources, immediate feedback and quick turnaround times on completed assignments.
Such programs require a motivated student who is willing to put in the time to read and complete the work.
“If he didn’t do it in the classroom, he’s not going to do it here,” Wiks said.
On-line courses require students to have top quality computers with high-speed internet access and the ability to operate the system and programs.
All work best with support from school and home, he said, noting: “If Mom and Dad are not on board, they do not have success.”
Generally, marks are split 40-60 between course work and final exams, which must be administered and supervised by a teacher.
The most expensive delivery system is two-way video camera links at about $22,000 per classroom. Correspondence and on-line courses might cost the student or division a few hundred dollars.
Wiks said distance education offers much flexibility for students living away from home for extended periods or in remote settings and small schools with limited course offerings.
Teachers can also benefit from on-line access to professional development in their own towns, said Wiks, who is working on a masters degree on-line from Barrhead, Alta.
