Distance Education Strategies to Support Practica in Rural Settings

Abstract

Personnel preparation programs in special education at the preservice and inservice levels have made extensive use of distance education program models to offer teacher education and staff development to rural schools. While distance education technology, such as interactive video and the Internet, are used to deliver content coursework, the supervision of practica at a distance can be challenging. The University of Kentucky and West Virginia University, early users of distance education and current implementers of programs that use online or interactive video delivery, have developed practicum models for providing supervision to prospective and practicing special education personnel in rural areas. This article describes three different models across four programs of supporting practica at a distance now in operation at these institutions, discussing formats used for coordinating the experience and interacting with students and on-site supervisors.