Broadband Again

Just read about the new Missouri Virtual School program. A test program for 1,000 students starting this fall will allow students to take classes at home over the internet. While the state site does not go into equipment requirements, here is a quote about the program.

To assure student success with virtual learning, a variety of web-based, technology resources (streaming audio and video, computer animations, email, newsgroups, chat rooms, bulletin boards, digital portfolios) are provided.

You already know how well I think that would work on a rural dial-up system.

Students in Lesterville don't have access to public broadcasting because there is no signal that reaches here now, so you know that once Feb. 17, 2009 gets here with only digital broadcasting that even a big antenna won't bring in PBS and the nearest NPR is from Rolla.

The digital divide is real and getting worst.