Perfecting Educational Practice: The Georgia Model. Distance Learning Technology in the Teacher Education Program

The Armstrong Atlantic State University Teacher Education Program is a participant in the Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System, an interactive distance learning network. Over 400 sites have been linked within the state with an additional 1,700 in the planning stage. The network includes students at the high school, college, and graduate professional school levels. The State of Georgia provides local sites with codecs (compression/decompression systems), audio systems, monitors, and graphic cameras with local sites providing space and room renovations, as needed. Distance learning has greatly helped connect preservice teachers and their college supervisors, sometimes separated by many miles. Distance learning also allows preservice teachers at distant sites to network and plan cooperative activities such as field trips. Successful distance learning requires: planning and preparation for materials, equipment, and strategies; and the establishment of a bond between students and teachers which can be facilitated by such strategies as always using pupil names. Distance learning technology is also a tool for culturally responsive education, allowing a direct connection between the community of the student and the community of the world. Appended are a resource bibliography, a sample lesson plan, and an historical play written by participating student teachers. (Contains 92 references.) (JLS)