Distance Education Delivery for Isolated Rural Communities: A Contingency Approach

Ilisagvik College, Barrow AK

Investigators

Abstract

0090474 Scott This award is to Ilisagvik College to support the activity described below for 36 months. The proposal was submitted in response to the Partnerships for Innovation Program Solicitation (NSF 0082). Partners The partners for this award include California Virtual Campus, Bay Area Region 1; Lewis-Clark State College; Northwest Indian College; Phillips Community College; Arctic Slope Regional Corporation; North Slope Borough Office of the Mayor; Alaska Growth Capital; Arctic Development Council; Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska; Interior Athabascan Tribal College; Tanana Chiefs Conference. Proposed Activities The activities for this award include delivery of post-secondary education to Alaska Natives living in intensely rural villages, typically far off the road system, with unemployment rates 3-5 times the national average; develop, test, and refine a situational model for distance education that takes into account variables for indigenous communities; combine distance learning with technical assistance for entrepreneurs and job placement services to develop Alaska's rural economy; assess occupational demand in the region; determine the skill levels of the workers; design and deliver two rounds of distance learning; provide small business training and technical assistance; assess the emerging model and disseminate the learnings. Proposed Innovation The innovation goals for the award include providing distance training to prepare workers for job demands in remote Alaska; providing small business training and technical assistance; research and development of models for remote education in rural indigenous populations; enablement of increased business and job opportunities in rural Alaska. Potential Economic Impact The economic outcomes for this award include increased skills and technical assistance for small business in rural Alaska, as well as increased jobs and business training and opportunity. Potential Societal Impact The potential benefits to society from this award include involvement of indigenous tribal population in a rural environment in job training and opportunity, plus creation of increased wealth in remote Alaska.