The McREL Rural Technology Initiative: Research and Evaluation Study

Author(s): Kirsten Stoutemyer, Patricia Lauer, Rebecca Van Buhler

Audience(s): Administrators and Policymakers

Product Description:

This study investigated McREL’s Rural Technology Initiative (RTI), an online professional development intervention designed to help rural schools overcome the challenges of isolation and limited resources by developing professional communities of learning and support.

Key Ideas:

Highlights from the findings include: 

• RTI had a positive influence on teacher collaboration and the development of professional community.
• RTI did not influence teachers' perceptions of their teaching efficacy, job satisfaction, or school environment.
• The more teachers participated in RTI, the more their instruction improved.
• Teachers did not perceive changes in their principals' leadership, but administrators perceived positive influences of the RTI on their leadership practices.

APA Citation:

Lauer, P. A., Stoutemyer, K. L., & Buhler, R. J. V. (2005). The McREL Rural Technology Initiative: Research and evaluation study. Aurora, CO: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.