Rosholt High School Tech Upgrade – A Lesson in Distance Learning
Rosholt High School is now one of eight school districts in the entire state of Wisconsin to incorporate high definition distance learning as a resource to students. 34 students from Rosholt High School are currently taking one or more courses from teachers at other sites including Northcentral Technical College, WI Indianhead Technical College and Bonduel.
Rosholt belongs to a distance learning network called the Embarrass River Valley Instructional Network Group (ERVING). The school joined in 1997, but recently upgraded its televisions and cameras thanks to a USDA grant. The ERVING Network received $387,526 from the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS)to upgrade technology for its member schools. Rosholt High received about $54,000 to update broadcasting equipment.
Funding is for equipment upgrades went to Bonduel, Bowler, Clintonville, Marion, Menominee Indian, Rosholt, Tigerton, and Wittenberg-Birnamwood school districts. Low enrollment in traditional in-school courses often limits the opportunity for certain classes. But, with the distance learning network, four schools can be connected at the same time to create one class. Classes offered through ERVING include AP Calculus, Her Story, Spanish IV, German II, Drafting, Medical Terminology, Media Matters, Sociology, AP Psychology, Holocaust Literature, and many others.
Teachers and administrators are benefiting as well. A portable unit has eliminated travel time, allowing for face-to-face meetings with officials from around Wisconsin. Teachers can improve their own value by adding ERVING classes to their schedule.
ERVING Network Director Jamie Lane stated, “Last year one of our schools served 72 percent of their high school student population, other districts served from 15-30 percent of their high school students. That shows me that the districts highly value their commitment to the network and the ability to maintain that collaboration is vital. Because we have been awarded the RUS grant, ERVING districts will be able to continue and expand their collaborative efforts. This will offer sustainability for districts, staff, students, and the local communities.”
Keeping students up-to-date with technologies is important in today’s world. The lesson here is being a rural Wisconsin school does not mean there are fewer opportunities thanks to technology, distance learning networks and grant opportunities.
