Distance Learning & Telemedicine

Scott County School District 1; Austin, Indiana: $500,000 Grant;
Area(s) Served: Cities of Austin, Scottsburg, and in Scott County; Congressional District: 9th.

The Scott County Technology Consortium's Distance Learning Project will address the needs of two rural communities in the southeast corner of Indiana. Scott County School Districts 1 and 2, in Austin and Scottsburg, and serve 4,100 students who are isolated by both rurality and poverty. RUS grant funds will be used to equip seven elementary and secondary schools with distance learning technology. Mobile Internet Protocol (IP) videoconferencing units will be installed in classrooms and libraries in each of 31 high schools and the auditorium of Austin High School. Desktop videoconferencing units will supplement the mobile units. The goal of this project is to: (1) Make distance learning and other technologies readily accessible to students and teachers; (2) Assure that all students in target schools regularly participate in instructional activities that include the use of distance learning and other technologies; (3) Provide alternate methods for students to reach individual goals for academic success; (4) Support teachers and other school professionals through innovative and ongoing professional development and follow-up leading to classroom implementation of technology-rich instruction; and, (5) Encourage parental and community involvement at the local school and regional levels through distance learning activities.