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A Summary of Lone Eagle Consulting’s Online Course Innovations: 1988-2010

Since 1988 I've been creating innovative online courses specifically for rural, remote and indigenous learners. In 2005, my history to that point, as an early pioneer of online learning was published along with histories of other early adapters http://lone-eagles.com/history.htm

In 1988, the Big Sky Telegraph created a first free course on Microcomputer telecommunications as a model alternative certification program (diploma and embroidered patch) touting the completion of ten self-directed lessons by both educators and citizens as “forging the online trail that others may follow.”

This was one of the first rural-specific self-directed free online courses modeling scalable Train-the-Trainer methodologies.  The Big Sky Telegraph was recognized as one of the first rural online educational networks; cited for excellence by the Whitehouse, and four Congressional reports and by many others.

900 educators in 19 states, and Finland, took the course, compiling 700 lesson plans which were among the first online resources posted by the US DOE when they launched their website in 1995.

In 1989, in partnership with the MIT plasma fusion lab, we (the Montana University System) taught an online course on Chaos Theory mathematics to 7-8th graders in one-room schools in Wy and MT. As a result, one of the kids ended up at MIT. That's low cost high imagination - in action, and is now a bit of the history of online innovation in Montana.

In 1994, US West and Annenberg funded the “Reach for the Sky” Math and Science teacher mentoring program as one of the first, if not THE first, STEM teacher mentoring program on the web. The web literally  appeared during the launch of the three online Train-the Trainer courses at www.lone-eagles.com/courses/rfts  The literature review on characteristics of adult learners was provided by Dr. John Rogan.

In 1998, I left my asst. professor position at UMW to become Lone Eagle Consulting and that winter spent 80 days providing the first Internet workshops to K12 educators, students and community members in 11 Alaskan Native villages on the Yukon River. The villages had just installed Internet satellite systems. An online course was created to support their ongoing learning after the workshops.

From 2000 to 2010, I've taught two online graduate courses for educators via Alaska Pacific University and the Alaska Staff Development Network, one titled “Making the Best Use of Internet for K12 Instruction,” and the second “Designing K12 Online Instruction.”  As over 300 educators completed these courses, I've witnessed transformational learning by educators across very different generations. I've learned the importance of personal mentoring and encouragement, and the benefits of mastery learning self-directed lessons, outcomes-based assessments, and directing individualized learning, made possible through this High Tech- High Touch - proven model. Their web curriculum final projects and the online lessons are at http://lone-eagles.com/teachercreated.htm

Recognizing the greatest need in rural communities as being an income, I began a five year adventure working with Idaho State University's College of Technology Workforce Training office. Together we engaged in multiple USDA projects delivering workshops and online courses on Rural Ecommerce and Telework Strategies....designed as a first online mastery learning success for rural adults who had never experienced online learning. More at http://lone-eagles.com/future-proofing.htm

From 2003-2006, I worked with the Montana Choice project, delivering over 60 presentations and workshops across Montana for this USDOL Ecommerce Demonstration project focused on Internet self-employment for individuals with disabilities. More at http://lone-eagles.com/future-proofing.htm

In 2008, I created a graduate course for New Mexico State University on Social Media for the K12 Classroom, using Moodle. 

In 2009, funded by the Alaska Department of Labor, in partnership with KACN TV, I used social media to create a 21st Century Workforce Readiness course for Alaskan Native youth no longer in school. More at http://lone-eagles.com/expertise.htm

Extensive international and indigenous activity and national presentations are summarized at http://lone-eagles.com/expertise.htm and the roster of events is at http://lone-eagles.com/new.htm

In closing, I have extensive experience with the history of E-learning, rural community networking, and community technology centers, and have produced printed and online guides with support from USAID, ERIC, AT&T Learning Network, USDA, US West, Annenberg Foundation, and others.

Contact:

Frank Odasz, Lone Eagle Consulting, 2200 Rebich Lane, Dillon, MT 59725
Email: Frank@lone-eagles.com PH/Fax: 406 683 6270, Cell: 406 925 2519