Distance Learning Program Overview

In the past 18 months, the Academy has focused a great deal of its research & development activities in designing, testing, and implementing a community learning infrastructure that would support the creation of a Community Learning Center Network (CLCN) among the Community Technology Centers (CTCs) already supported through the CommuniTech Program and new CTCs located in some of Rochester’s poorest neighborhoods.  The primary objective of this initiative is “To provide a Distance Learning technical infrastructure and training models that will allow Rochester’s underserved populations the opportunity to participate in high quality educational and informational programming on a variety of relevant topics, in their own neighborhoods or homes.”  After nearly a year of research, we decided to create a system that would support three synchronous learning models:

Currently, we are utilizing the Model 2 approach to deliver Fundamental Computer Skills training to adults through our Community Computer Academy and children/youth through our KidTech Program.  Over the next year we hope to expand our distance learning educational programming to include both technical and non-technical content for our underserved population of children, youth , and adults participating through the Community Learning Center Network.

With the recent awarding of Academy memberships to both the Microsoft Academic Alliance and the Microsoft IT Academy (by Microsoft), we now have access to various e-learning opportunities that we will utilize to expand our distance learning efforts that will include both synchronous and asynchronous learning strategies for our learners.