A $480,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will enable Jackson State Community College in Jackson, Tennessee, to invest in distance learning equipment, such as videoconferencing technology.
According to a statement from the college, it will use its portion of the Rural Utilities Services Grant to purchase equipment for seven West Tennessee high schools that participate in the college's dual enrollment program. This will enable high school students to earn college credit without having to travel to Jackson State's campus.
Educators have found videoconferencing technology can be used to move the educational experience beyond the classroom without having deal with the hassle of travel. A teacher can use a videoconferencing technology in conjunction with an HD-TV, LED monitor or HDMI projector to conduct lessons across the country or enable students to take a virtual field trip to a museum halfway around the world.
"This will greatly assist us in completing our mission to bring education out to the rural communities we serve," said Jackson State president Bruce Blanding. "We are grateful to USDA for their support and assistance in making the kind of difference in West Tennessee that we all are committed to."
