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Dubbo School of Distance EducationFrom Researching Virtual Initiatives in EducationThe Dubbo School of Distance Education (DSODE) is a private provider located in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. It is the sole rural autonomous secondary distance education provider in New South Wales. DSODE designs and delivers individual educational programs for students across New South Wales (NSW) and overseas. It caters for students from Preschool to Year 12 whose special circumstances prevent them from attending school: young parents, students with medical conditions, isolated students, vocationally talented students and more. The school also provides curriculum delivery to students studying a subject not available at their home school. It is also a key provider of educational curricula and services for Stage 5 and Stage 6 students studying in schools which may not have the student numbers or staff to offer a full range of courses. Students enrol in DSODE as single course students studying one or more subjects not available to them in the home school. In 2011 the school enrolled 443 full time, 79 pathways and 662 single course students. A breakdown of the numbers with overview of 2007 until 2011 is available in the 2011 Annual Report (PDF - see References). DSODE has a strong focus on utilising technologies such as online courses, satellite, web conferencing and videoconferencing that create collaborative class groups. The learning materials include printed materials, internet learning and digital audio and video resources. The Dubbo School of Distance Education web site is at http://www.dubbo-d.schools.nsw.edu.au.
More DetailsAn important dimension of the students’ learning experiences through DSODE is the support of their home supervisor or, in the case of single course students, their supervisor in their home school. In 2011 Dubbo School of Distance Education employed 128 staff members. Since 1991 DSODE has developed a range of specialised programs aimed at catering for students who meet the criteria of one or more of the school’s enrolment categories. These include geographical isolation, travelling in Australia or overseas for periods of up to 12 months, pregnant students and young parents, medical illness, special needs such as behaviour, emotional or mental health issues, vocationally talented students and extraordinary circumstances. Digital Education Revolution (DER) funding has provided 73 staff at DSODE with a laptop for lesson preparation and delivery. A large number of staff have undertaken further professional learning opportunities provided by both the NSW Department of Education and Training and DSODE. DER laptops have been provided to a total of 182 fulltime students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12. The school had the extension of a permanent Technical Support Officer (TSO) provided until the end of 2013. This officer coordinates the delivery, maintenance and support for DER student and staff laptops. In 2011 the installation of interactive whiteboards in all remaining teaching areas of the school has been completed. Also, the Distance Education Shared Delivery Program was established to present a full curriculum program for students in Years 11 and 12 at three central schools, Ashford, Bundarra and Emmaville (ABE), thereby addressing inequities arising from geographic isolation. References
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