Reach out and learn: E-learning in Montana takes flight – The Montana Schools E-Learning Consortium (MSELC)

Through a new e-learning opportunity launched this year, students in Geraldine can pick up German and teens in Frenchtown can take advanced physics n courses they may not have access to in their hometowns.

Founded a year ago, the Montana Schools E-Learning Consortium (MSELC) http://www.mselc.org/ will begin its first semester of classes next week. The aim of the organization is to provide a diverse education for Montana students who live in isolated communities and provide students in larger districts the chance to make up missed classes or accelerate their path to graduation.

Course offerings run the gamut from traditional courses in English, science, social studies and math to electives, including art and physical education, foreign language and business.

While distance learning programs are not new in Montana, project manager Leanne West said MSELC is the first e-learning program designed to meet the unique needs of Montana’s rural districts, where course offerings are slim, or certified teachers may not be available. All the courses are taught according to state standards by Montana certified teachers.

By LAURA TODE – IR Staff Writer

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2005/09/11/montana/a01091105_04.txt