V. Conclusion

In conclusion, the author once again explains and summarizes issues regarding the distance education in the circumpolar North. The research has produced a number of key findings

Answering the main question of the research, the distance education in Alaska and the Northern and Siberian regions of the Russian Federation contributes to the solution of the Circumpolar North sustainable development and educational problems by:

• So, education is a major factor for sustainable development in the circumpolar region. Regionalization, small populations in remote communities and few urban centers, cultural diversity and the erosion of small languages are certain common characteristics in northern education. The level of educational investment and costs vary significantly across the region. Such factors as recruitment and retention, graduation rates, student-teacher ratios, per capita funding, literacy rates, employment rates are important for circumpolar education research. The University of the Arctic creates is the network of institutions referring to higher education and research in the Circumpolar North.
• So, it is important to conclude that asynchronous and synchronous are two types of distance education. A variety of educational learning environments creates online learning - from nonprofit traditional distance learning universities to open educational sources. Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 have opened new opportunities and challenges in web based education and learning. A Learning Management System (LMS) is the main technological characteristic of distance education. In North American universities, Blackboard is one of the leading commercial LMS software packages. Many Russian institutions are developing their own LMS. Self-regulated learning strategies are more likely to be applied by students using e-textbooks than by students with traditional textbooks. The research in distance education usually responses to questions which are asked for an educational innovation.
• To sum up, the distance education in the Arctic is effective. The University of the Arctic and the Northern Research Forum are increasing the interest in the use of information and communication technology and open learning resourses and networks. In 2008 the UArctic Thematic Network on Distance Education and E-learning began to function. Internet and distance education create new opportunity for indegenous peoples to study native language and knowledge.
• To sum up, the higher education in Alaska is represented by a large state with tree hubs and a private university. Students at Alaskan universities is older, high school graduates pursue first degrees out-of-state than on the US average. Military and government personnel and teachers create demands for Alaskan in-state university programs. Both universities and secondary schools extensively use distance education to deliver courses and support educators, in particularly, in Alaskan remote and small rural communities where, first of all, Native peoples inhabit. The LMS Blackboard with its tools including threaded discussions dominates. The Native people education plays an important role. Open learning networks of Native Alaskan languages create opportunities for everybody interested in them.
• In the conclusion, compare to the USA, the Russian education is regulated by the federal constitution. Russia has more than 25 regions in the North and Sibereia, as well as a great number of universities. The country is facing the educational finance decline, and other new challenges and pressures after the collapse of the USSR. The student participation rate in the North higher education is below the average. The usage of modern developments of new information technologies and distance learning are growing. Self-made learning management systems and the Google services dominate in Russian universities. A lot of attention draws to the distance education infrastructure: computer equipment, Internet accesses, multimedia projectors and interactive boards. Open educational resources are very popular, in particular, Coursera’s website. Indigenous language education is increasing its importance. Some languages have open learning networks and websites.
• In the nearest future, Russian and American educators can enhance partnerships between universities in the US and Russia through the development of joint research projects of faculty, curriculum and academic development in distance education, dual-degree programs, and online network cooperation among student clubs. Personally, author would like to promote professional learning management system, e-textbooks, joint research programs with the use of information and communication technology, the Expository Writing, the international wiki project and Arctic student organization collaboration.

Authors of the study are also aware that the forces of globalization, for example satellite television and the internet, are bringing the world to northern students, forever changing what we know as northern values and skills (Arctic Human Development Report 2010, 170).

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14