NCREL Policy Issues
Issue 15, January 2004
Policy Analysis
3. Technology-Enhanced Learning for Students
The amount and types of online learning resources that states provide for students vary greatly. Sometimes a state develops and maintains a curricular resource; other times the state contracts with a vendor for learning services. As yet another possibility, the state may fund an intermediary, such as a regional service center or a nonprofit organization, to develop and provide these resources.
In the North Central region, Illinois and Iowa have the most thoroughly developed online resources to aid student learning. Illinois sponsors a variety of technology-enhanced learning resources, including the Illinois Virtual High School and regional Learning Technology Centers. Iowa's area education agencies—such as the Heartland Area Education Agency 11—make available to districts Internet curriculum resources, including unified catalogs of school or library media materials, electronic mailing lists related to educational topics, resources to aid in research projects, and a searchable public auction for equipment. The Iowa Distance Learning Database provides distance learning classrooms scattered around the state with online support available about how to use this resource.
Resources
Illinois Virtual High School
www.ivhs.org
Illinois Learning Technology Centers
www.isbe.state.il.us/ltc/
Iowa's Heartland Area Education Agency 11
www.aea11.k12.ia.us/
Iowa Distance Learning Database
www3.iptv.org/iowa_database/default.cfm
