Rogers State University has received a grant of $299,000 from the Oklahoma State Department of Education to enhance distance learning for elementary and high school students across Northeast Oklahoma.
The grant recently was ratified by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, RSU’s governing board.
The grant will enable RSU to provide advanced training for teachers at area schools to help them utilize the latest technology in the classroom. It also will enhance the distance learning services that RSU provides to area school districts, including Claremore, Catoosa, Owasso and Verdigris.
The 25 public school districts are linked by a wide-area computer network, allowing them to share educational opportunities with each other and receive courses and instructional materials from RSU.
“The grant will have a significant impact in sharing and expanding educational resources and preparing teachers to better utilize technology in the classroom,” said RSU President Joe Wiley. “In turn, students will benefit from high-technology instruction and rapid and convenient availability of learning materials.”
The grant will provide educational video on demand for teachers and students to use in the classroom and will enhance training on the integration of technology into instruction, Wiley added.
In addition, online courses will be developed and delivered to students in districts participating in the consortium.
The grant also will allow school officials at RSU and area school districts to purchase equipment to enhance the consortium’s network and train district staff on the use of technology as an instructional aid in the classroom.
For more information on RSU distance learning programs, call the RSU Office of Distance Education at (918) 343-7703.