Rural Education

• Who lives in these rural areas?
• Online education acts as a lifeline for rural towns.
• Why can’t rural areas build more schools?
• Online classes assist agricultural communities.
• Broadband internet is now being subsidized by the US Government.
• Conclusion

Who lives in these rural areas?

According to the 2000 US Census, over 20 percent of all americans live in a classified, “rural areas.” People in these areas still need education and jobs though. So how does one do that when the closest university is hours away? Very simply: online classes.

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Online education acts as a lifeline for rural towns.

Online classes are great for many different situations but they are especially critical for those who live in rural areas. Every city slicker out there has likely driven through some tiny town and thought to themself, “How do people live here?” While there are many different circumstances the one common thread is an internet connection. People can work from home and with some legwork almost anyone can start earning their degree online.

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Why can’t rural areas just build more schools?

Because rural areas often have more modest property tax bases and lower per-pupil expenses, when they do build schools it hard for them to compete with big institutions in big cities. It is harder for them to recruit and retain quality professors. These less-populated areas have less to work with and that is reflected in the end result. Online classes are often off the best possible solution.

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Online classes assist agricultural communities.

Many people living in rural areas are involved in farming and agriculture and through online education they can still manage time-sensitive agricultural tasks while still making time for school.

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Broadband internet is now being subsidized by the US Government.

President Obama’s recent stimulus bill includes 7 billion allocated to the upgrade of broadband in rural areas. He described “expanding broadband lines across America” as a public works project designed to give everyone the chance to get online.  No longer will individuals be on the losing side of the digital divide.

Obama stated, “As we renew our schools and highways, we’ll also renew our information superhighway. It is unacceptable that the United States ranks 15th in the world in broadband adoption. Here, in the country that invented the Internet, every child should have the chance to get online.”

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Conclusion

Quality education is still quality education, regardless of how it is delivered and if the delivery mechanism can be more efficient and flexible it is a win-win for everyone.

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Related Articles

“Online Education Helps Students, Teachers and Small Towns.”

“Online learning a “lifeline,” in rural areas.”

“Do Jobs Follow Broadband?”

Visit Advantages of Online Education