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1960 - Satellite Technology Was Created
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Period: to
From Satellites to Learning Opportunities Discovered
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1969 - Two Way Audio Experiementation
In late 1969, a formal proposal was submitted to NASA for two-way audio,experimentation on the ATS-1 satellite. The first demonstrations began in 1970, transmitting public radio programming between KUAC in Fairbanks and stations in the lower 48 states. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED217893.pdf (page 12) -
1970 - Joint effort by UNESCO and NEA discover a need to utilize satellites for educational purposes
A joint United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Alaska National Education Association (NEA) team in 1970 investigated the feasibility of using satellites to alleviate educational problems of the State. The team concluded, in part, educational communications system, are not only feasible, but necessary for improved communications in the State. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED217893.pdf (Page 12) -
1971 - 1980 - Testing and evaluating delivery of education
During this time, testing and deployment of satellite schools throughout the state was being evaluated. There were many speed bumps and issues taking place, but the need was there and so was the opportunity via the technology, but the question was, "how can it best be deployed?". As information was being gathered, a learning plan was being created. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED217893.pdf (pages 13-40) -
1980 - Success! Delivery of educational content is a successful model!
A series of verifiable indicators were used as measures for the satellite learning model. These indicators were gradually changing over the years, but they formed the basis for periodic formative evaluations designed to identify for management the problem areas to be rectified and strengths to be emphasized for the succeeding phases. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED217893.pdf (page 42) -
1983 - Learn Alaska is operational and effective!
Eskimo children from isolated arctic villages used some of the most sophisticated satellite communications in the world to talk directly to a NASA astronaut. After viewing a 30-minute film on the US space program, students from 15 Alaska high schools questioned astronaut Vance Brand about his job while he sat at a desk in Washington. That was the first year of operation for the Learn Alaska Instructional Telecommunications network. https://www.csmonitor.com/1983/0819/081946.html