This paper presents highlights from surveys of some of Canada's most isolated schools, located in northern Labrador, Nunavut, northern Saskatchewan, and northern and interior British Columbia. Most served Inuit or other First Nations communities. Although all schools had contact by phone and most had e-mail, few were accessible by road. Five Inuit…

A study examined the impact of the rural context upon the career patterns of women educational administrators in rural public school divisions in Saskatchewan, Canada. Surveys were completed by 107 female administrators who served rural schools in Saskatchewan, and 24 female administrators were interviewed. Findings indicate that women…

Young children possess a unique way of knowing and learning that is best accommodated by developmentally appropriate practices that create a holistic, integrated, active learning environment. In the first part of a two-phase study, a survey of all elementary school principals in the largely rural state of Idaho revealed a somewhat tepid, moderate…

James Cook University, Queensland, Australia (JCU) and Malaspina University College, British Columbia (MUC) have developed a partnership model for the delivery of JCU's Masters degree in education in rural studies. The course was delivered via distance education from MUC. Program evaluation was conducted via questionnaires returned by 25 students…

Two models for using information and communication technologies to teach physics to students in remote areas of Canada and Russia are described. In Canada, an intranet electronically links schools in a Newfoundland school district to the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Advanced placement physics is delivered via the Internet. Newfoundland has…

Technological advances have equipped educational institutions with the capability to take classes to the student. Higher education institutions throughout the South are upgrading existing wide-area networks connecting buildings and campuses to create statewide "backbones" that will serve primary and secondary schools, libraries, offices,…

The Country Women's Association (CWA) is a nationwide Australian group that started in the 1920s in response to isolated women's need to socialize. The group's activities have expanded greatly over time. It distributes essential food and clothing to needy rural families, and its extensive involvement in incidental education for women includes…

Canadians identify education as key to economic opportunity and advancement, yet rural areas experience teacher shortages, school closings, and extended transportation times. A growing native population in the North needs teachers with cultural and linguistic qualifications. Advantages of rural areas are close communities, good school-community…

Newfoundland and Labrador has many rural communities, low literacy rates, high unemployment, declining enrollment and population, and teacher shortages. Policy responses have been to consolidate schools, increase rural teacher pay, increase teacher recruitment, implement distance learning and distance professional development, intensify…

Barriers to health care careers for rural Western Australian students were examined through interviews with 209 students from 15 secondary schools, 62 parents and grandparents, 76 teachers, and 4 Aboriginal and Islander education officers. Students were constrained by isolation, cost, stereotypes, insufficient information about the diversity of…

A distance education program in mental health was delivered to 31 rural health professionals in Western Australia who dealt with mentally ill patients at the primary level. Evaluation on completion and 4 months postprogram indicated that participants learned mental health management regimes, developed mental health assessment skills, improved…

A preservice teacher describes her practicum at a rural Aboriginal school in Queensland (Australia). Part of an English-as-second-language research project, the school used local Aboriginal English, which draws on three traditional languages, to build self esteem and acknowledge the indigenous culture. Standard Australian English was then further…

Describes four exemplary rural youth programs that succeed despite the common lack of transportation and leadership in rural areas. An Alabama church-based program, a Nevada program on an American Indian reservation, and a school-based network in Vermont all offer summer and after-school programs for elementary and secondary students. Texas…

As part of a study examining continuing medical education, computer usage was investigated among medical practitioners in rural and remote Queensland (Australia). Surveys of 131 rural doctors showed that they used computers more than their urban counterparts and more than previously estimated. A majority of respondents considered Internet delivery…

Describes an online college course and student perceptions of the virtual-classroom experience. Students appreciated course flexibility and convenience and found it conducive to thoughtful analysis of class questions and commentary. However, they felt isolated from peers and instructor, and lack of face-to-face interaction hindered communication.…