Sustaining small rural schools via e-learning

• Main Author: Saqlain, Nadeem
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Süleyman Demirel University 2015
• Subjects: Virtual schooling; Rural education; Small schools; Distance Education; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://acikerisim.sdu.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/123456789/48282; http://dergipark.org.tr/sduijes/issue/20864/223871

Many small rural schools have been closed during the reform movement. A mountain of studies suggest that small school have various advantages. Despite these advantages, small schools are still in danger of closure and consolidation. However, the advent of internet is a ray of hope to sustain small schools in rural areas. Many K-12 online programs across the world are providing educational opportunities to students. Most of those virtual schools have focus on urban and suburban students. However, the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) has been established to provide equitable access to educational opportunities to rural students. The author has outlined a short history of distance education in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Various issues of e-learning at the K-12 have been identified. It is also intended that the e-learning model which is being used in the province can provide a model to sustain small schools across the globe.Key words: Virtual schooling, Rural education, Small schools, Distance Education.