Amador County – Amador Community College Foundation is “seeking to launch the Amador Centers of Higher Education Virtual Campus Program this fall. This action plan is the result of months of investigations by members of the ACCF who are determined to find solutions to develop much needed access to post-secondary educational opportunities for Amador County residents.”
Dixie Camarado, ACCF Curriculum Committee Chairwoman said the local scene for higher education looks bleak. Amador County is one of two counties in California that is not part of the 72 California Community College Districts. The nearest higher education centers ranges from 75-90 mile round-trip from Jackson.
Camarado said local course offerings by area colleges have become so expensive to not only the institutions but also to the ACCF diminishing grant funds that the Foundation was forced to discontinue the Cosumnes River College classes at the Amador Learning Center. Ever-rising fuel costs and travel time preclude many residents from affordable access to faraway institutions.
New technologies are emerging within college and university systems, she said. “Distance Education programs offer student-friendly technology to support student needs, especially underserved rural areas. These support systems include the California Virtual Campus, an online directory of all the distance education classes and degree programs in the state.”
Students can research online classes in their field of interest, apply to institutions offering the class, and apply for financial aid. Once enrolled, students can take classes online. She said “students would have to carefully select courses that articulate between schools if the ultimate goal is to work toward a transfer to a university for a BA or BS degree.”
Students can also take assessment tests and pre-test programs to help improve assessment outcomes.
The primary focus of the ACCF vision is a Distance Education Open Computer Lab, a dedicated two-room facility (in the Amador Learning Center) at Independence High School. The center has 36 computers and a printer to provide access to online instruction offered through a host of state and national colleges and universities.
The Open Computer Lab will be available for student coursework, research, advising, and tutoring during the afternoon and evenings and align with Adult Education.
Camarado said promoting learning at a computer lab is necessary because 57 percent of the region is either un-served or underserved by broadband infrastructure.
She said: “Our studies also show that distance education students rely on tutoring, academic advising and counseling to navigate their studies and career path. The Virtual Campus Program implements support for local students in a distance education environment with technology and professional staffing to include an academic advisor and tutors in specific subject areas.
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