By Staff
Special to The Star
PHILADELPHIA The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians today marks a major new education venture offering college credits through an electronic, interactive classroom.
Official ceremonies were scheduled here among NASA, the Mississippi Educational Television Network and the Choctaw Tribal School System to introduce the Interactive Video Network Classroom for Choctaw Tribal Schools.
The new video network classroom is bidirectional and allows for full interactive two-way video, audio and data communications to be shared among the participants.
The video network classroom will allow the offering of college level credit courses from community colleges and four-year colleges and universities.
The Mississippi ETV Interactive Video Network connects the Mississippi Fibernet 2000 Network, launched in 1991, and the Star Schools Network, which began in 1995. The video network is bidirectional and links schools and resource centers.
NASA has assisted with educational development at the Tribal School System since 1994. Stewart said NASA has trained faculty and staff to use the new video network.
The keynote speaker at today's ceremonies was expected to be John Bennett Herrington, NASA Astronaut and commander in the U.S. Navy. Recognition will also be given to Dr. David Powe, Chief of Education and University Affairs at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center.
More than 100 public schools across the state are connected through similar interactive video network classrooms.