Spinning the Education Web
Students who have difficulties in learning and, in some cases, adapting to the 
rules of school, are placed in alternative education programs. Because of the challenges these students are isolated from the rest of the student population --often in a separate building on a separate campus.
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education 71 percent of all alternative education schools in Oklahoma are rural one-room schools.
But when you isolate the student you also isolate the teacher, which limits the teacher’s access to other educators and resources.
The K20 Authentic Learning and Teaching program has figured out a way to overcome that barrier. Using a small camera and harnessing the power of the Internet, alternative education teachers can get the resources and support they need. And in turn, be more prepared to teach content beneficial for students.
Eye Teach U
Dressed in plaid flannel and using camping gear (including a life size tent) as props, K20alt specialists Teresa Begley, Tiffany Neill, Levi Patrick and Adam Zodrow host a class aptly titled Webcamping. The class instructs teachers on how to install and use webcams they received from the program. They also learn how to connect with other teachers and outside resources.
Patrick, K20alt Math Specialist, said they came up with the camping theme when they started thinking about the isolation of camping.
"If a camper runs out of supplies, their survival depends on another camper or the environment," explained Patrick.
That same isolation happens in alternative education classrooms. A teacher needs outside resources and collaboration to support quality instruction, but before now that access had physical limitations.
K20alt has given away more than 100 webcams in two Webcamping classes. One school even purchased additional webcams for the whole school after attending the class.
While webcams are not new technology, they are new to alternative education. Until now privacy concerns have limited the use of this technology in the classrooms.
Sandra Ludwig, Moore Public Schools, attended the first training and could readily see the benefits of the small device.
"We've always had email," said Ludwig. "Seeing educators face to face, to be able to ask questions and do the problems. I think that is what we have missed in alternative education. The emotional support is going to be almost as exciting."
Double Vision
Tiffany Neill, K20alt Science Specialist and Vinita science teacher envisions the webcams extending beyond the teacher and opening the world for students.
"This could be more than connecting teachers in alternative education in Oklahoma," said Neill.
"Why not connect students to alternative education students in other countries? Why not expose them to the world outside of their small community and really reflect on learning content that way?"asked Neill.
Jill Cantrell, alternative education teacher, Bristow Public Schools sees the webcams as sending a positive message to her students.
"Using webcams shows students that 'You are not just a seat at a building where you are in trouble', but actually we are using alternative ways of education," said Cantrell.
Lessons a Click Away
The Webcamping class is just one way the K20alt program is overcoming traditional alternative education challenges by using non-traditional methods.
In 2009 the state department of education listed 814 alternative education 
teachers in the state. Many of those teachers are not certified, or in state terms "highly qualified", to teach in all the subjects required.
Funded by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Oklahoma Technical Assistance Center, K20alt helps teachers achieve highly qualified certification in core subjects through its online lessons and resources at http://k20alt.ou.edu.
Teachers can access demonstration videos, including watching how the lesson is taught in a classroom, and detailed lesson plans. Each lesson is designed around Oklahoma PASS objectives, focusing on lowest performing areas, and Oklahoma Subject Area Tests for teacher certification.
Content specialists in language arts, math, science, and social studies are also available for support.
The K20alt Web site and its unique lesson approach has attracted more than 600 registered users including educators from other states such as California, Minnesota, Missouri and Arizona, and internationally with Canada, Egypt, and Spain.
Education by any other Name
While the label "alternative education" typically implies an inferior form of education for disruptive students, programs like K20alt's Webcamping could help the name reflect its original intent.
Training and supporting teachers to use authentic learning and teaching methods could mean the difference between an at-risk student and an at-promise student. Instead of being an educational placeholder, alternative education could be the spark that re-engages students and motivates them to succeed in the classroom and beyond.