people to TSU classrooms

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

April 19, 2000 10 PM

Troy State University is working to bring more people into the school’s educational system.

That was the message Debbie Fortune brought to the Troy Rotary Club on Tuesday.

Fortune is the academic development/faculty coordinator for the Distance Learning Center and academic coordinator for the Southeast Alabama Technology Network project SEAL.

SEAL is a program that provides college credit and continuing education among high schools, businesses and two-year colleges throughout southeast Alabama. It will allow high schools the opportunity for distance education/dual enrollment.

The program will provide opportunities for junior colleges and four-year schools to work together to provide students options for distance education.

Fortune said the program is "an exciting new venture" at Troy State, which she now refers to as "the new TSU."

As Fortune pointed out, Troy State has done well with traditional teaching methods and qualified faculty in every classroom.

But, things have changed ­ in a good way.

"We’re offering you the best of both worlds at Troy State University," Fortune said of the SEAL project.

In the last six months, Fortune, who has been in the TSU System for years, has learned much more through her involvement with the program. She said there are three key things she has learned: the excellence of the program, quality of resources and strength of public support.

"We are well positioned at Troy State University to become the leader in distance education," Fortune said.

Made possible by grants and state appropriations, SEAL will now add teleconferencing via audio/visual and the Internet.

Fortune said 12 area high schools in six school districts will be participating in the program. For example, Goshen and Pike County High School will use videoconferencing to educate students with cooperation from Troy State.

Fortune said all courses will be taught either partially or wholly using technology.

"There are endless opportunities within this network system," Fortune said.