BELL GRANT SPONSORS VO-TECH STUDY

Southwestern Bell and the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School have joined to bring distance learning technology to students.

The school has received a $2,500 technology grant from Southwestern Bell to conduct a feasibility study for a distance learning and videoconferencing center. The study will help administrators choose the best equipment and technology for the center in the new Vo-Tech school scheduled to begin construction later this year.

The grant was written by Chris Cook, technology director for Cape Girardeau public schools. Cook said the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recommends new school buildings contain a videoconferencing center because it's an important educational tool. The center will have state-of-the-art technology and be built in a theater style, she said.

Donna Burke, a Southwestern Bell representative, said the company gave $1.3 million in technology grants in Missouri. It is important the communications company help schools in its service communities to access technology that enhances education.

Harold Tilley, director of the Vo-Tech school, agreed, saying: the grant will allow the school district to improve service to the public and the school's industrial partners.

"This will allow us to do many more things with our students as far as bringing in education from throughout the world," said Tilley. "It will also allow us to bring our business and industry partners into the classroom for seminars, business training and all of their needs."