Distance Learning Programming and Resources A-G H-O P-W USA Network (USA) (Cable in the Classroom) USA produces special programs such as My Antonia and Erase The Hate throughout the year. In support of special projects, USA produces teacher support materials. World Wide Web Site: http://www.usanetwork.com Jennifer Monaco (212) 408-8815   University of Missouri Schools of Nursing, St. Louis and Kansas City, MO Nursing students at the four campuses of the University of Missouri share classes and instructors in the bachelor's and master's nursing programs. When the master's program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis was authorized, funding was not available to provide additional instructors. However, the campus in Kansas City was funded for master's level instructors. The two campuses cooperated and the instructors at Kansas City taught the graduate nursing students in St. Louis over the University's compressed video network.   University of New Mexico A consortium links institutions that have substantial Hispanic student enrollments to share credit and non-credit courses via satellite. The ten other universities are from Arizona, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Puerto Rico, Texas, and Washington.   University of Northern Colorado The University of Northern Colorado is using compressed video technology (T1) to develop a statewide two-way interactive distance learning network. The network is designed to bring graduate level courses to teachers throughout Colorado. Three sites are in operation. When all fourteen are implemented, no teacher in Colorado will have to travel more than 50 miles to access education graduate programs.   University of Phoenix Online Division The University of Phoenix Online Division in San Francisco offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in business entirely through computer conferencing. Called "Online" because it relies on computer mediated communications, the courses are uniquely interactive. Students are not isolated from one another and they are able to benefit from each other's wealth of experience and knowledge. Online students participate in class groups composed of eight to twelve working professionals from around the country. Because the Online virtual classroom is open 24 hours a day, students have the flexibility to schedule their learning time around their other commitments - including extensive travel. Because the program is asynchronous, students can log on to the system anywhere and anytime they have access to a computer, modem and telephone line. Faculty members are also scattered throughout the U.S. Before beginning to teach on the system, instructors receive extensive training on the system, in adult education methods, and interaction skills appropriate to the computer conferencing classroom. Faculty and administrative meetings are held on the system as well. A second distance education group utilizes an audio-graphics system.   UVTV/WGN (Cable in the Classroom) UVTV/WGN's programming includes a weather information series and original programming pertaining to social issues. UVTV/WGN sponsors Find Yourself In A Book, a campaign to reinforce the message that reading is entertaining and educational. World Wide Web Sites: http://www.uvtv.com/, http://www.fyib.com (Find Yourself In A Book) Ralonda Lindsay 1-800-331-4806 (918) 488-4215   WAM! (Cable in the Classroom) WAM! America's Youth Network is programmed for 8-16 year olds. It airs Reel Learning, 60 hours a week of real-time educational programming for the classroom. Subject areas cover natural science, social studies, literature and teen issues. Material is appropriate for grades 3-11, including teacher in-service and special event programs. Programs air from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday. WAM! Cable in the Classroom programming includes international news and information on World Youth News, science experiments on How2, and sports for kids on Kaboom, Kazoom. Midge Pierce, America's Youth Network 5445 DTC Parkway, Suite 600, Englewood, CO 80111   The Weather Channel (TWC) (Cable in the Classroom) Forecasts local, regional, and national weather 24-hours a day along with educational and environmental documentaries. The Weather Classroom airs Sunday at 4 p.m. ET and repeats Monday at 4 a.m. The 30 minute program offers examples of weather in action, including weather news and fascinating short features on how and why weather happens. A companion 80-page illustrated textbook/workbook, The Weather Classroom and video documentaries on weather and environmental subjects are available. (404) 801-2503. World Wide Web Site: http://www.weather.com/education 1-800-471-5544   Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications The Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications has direct links to educational and political leaders through its relationship with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). It offers an array of projects and member-driven activities to improve the efficiency, impact and quality of educational telecommunications as well as publications.   Whittle Communications' Channel One Whittle Communications' Channel One news program covered worldwide events and incorporated them into a format that will have an impact on young people. It gives teachers the opportunity to involve their students in those events with the help of the network. Channel One, which aired in 11,861 middle schools and high schools across the country during 1992-93 reached 8.1 million teenagers, made world news relevant to teenagers. Channel One was beamed out every school day by satellite to its subscribers. Schools picked up the program on the Ku band satellite dish provided by the network. The newscast was recorded on a VCR, also furnished by Channel One. It was later broadcast on 19-inch color televisions, part of the network's equipment package, in all participating classrooms.   World 2000 In World 2000, a senior high school in the U.S. links with a class in Moscow. The students use a combination of mail and computer conferencing to share research and writing on global health issues. Ultimately, participants in the project will develop a shared understanding of the world's health in the year 2000 (National Foundation for the Improvement of Education 1990).   WorldClassroom, International Telecommunications Network WorldClassroom is an international educational telecommunications network that prepares students, K-12, to use real-life data to make real-life decisions about themselves and their environment. Participating countries have included Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, the Netherlands, U.S. and Zimbabwe. The international community of teachers and student serves as a resource of information, knowledge, and experience for the others. Each member is encouraged to "give" to the network in order to "get" responses from others. Students are encouraged to learn by doing. Their interaction on-line results in learning. With a personal computer, modem, communications software, and a regular phone line, WorldClassroom engages teachers and students from around the globe in unique learning opportunities. Innovative lessons provided on the network are supported by dynamic data resources, expert assistance and peer support. Addressing many content areas, the lessons emphasize the educational task, rather than the technology used to accomplish the task. Students use real data and receive timely, personal feedback on their projects while communicating with their peers around the world. In the process, they develop a better understanding of each other, as well as gain a global perspective of real world issues, concerns and cultural awareness. Teachers are able to choose the activities they want from a varied listing, and the curriculum is adaptable to individual schedules and teaching styles. Classes work independently or with each other in small clusters of six to eight classes. Clusters are organized with a WorldClassroom moderator coordinating each of the lessons. Course content covers science international issues, a writing exchange and special project. Each section contains detailed overviews, lesson plans and authentic data for the activities in these sections as well as areas for teachers to get involved in planning and discussion for the activities.   University of Wyoming and Wyoming Community Colleges The State of Wyoming is in the midst of implementing a higher education distance learning system including nine sites which connects the University of Wyoming with Wyoming Community Colleges. The system is using T1 lines with compressed video equipment and plan to extend their system to the state government offices.