ACCESS

In addition to just hearing for the first time about ALEX, I also have now reviewed another Alabama program called ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide). ACCESS is a distance learning initiative that began November 1, 2004. It offers access to advanced diploma courses in foreign languages, Advanced Placement and dual credit courses, remediation and supplemental resources, and much more. It is available to all Alabama public school students.

ACCESS is stimulating to both public school students and faculty and administration. It allows students in certain rural areas or underfunded schools to have the same opportunities for enlightenment as those who are in otherwise more privileged circumstances. Teachers and faculty love it because it broadens their students' opportunities to learn and, therefore, extends the their abilities to educate. It also allows them to utilize new, exciting ways of reaching students, through rapidly evolving technology, like web-based teaching and teaching through video conferencing.

The ACCESS site's Resources page also links to other useful Alabama education websites that are valuable to teachers.

Like ALEX, ACCESS would be challenging and fun to explore and use as a means of educating students. It seems to be a wise financial investment by our governor and other state officials.