Using High Technology to Facilitate Educational Equity in Rural Northeastern Utah Schools

The northeastern Utah Telelearning Project began in 1985. A cooperative effort by the Northeastern Utah Educational Service Center, local school districts, and the Area Vocational Center pooled their resources and talents to identify alternative delivery methods for providing education to rural schools separated by geography and economic resources. Computers, telephones, dedicated phone lines, simplex and duplex microwave, and UHF television were used to provide classes to six area schools. These communication tools were shown to be effective methods of delivery when traditional means were no longer available. The planning, implementation, and operation of the telelearning system are examined.