APU Contact

APU's Rural Alaska Native Adult (RANA) Distance Education Program is in its seventh year. With RANA, we are breaking down the barriers of time and distance so working adults anywhere in Alaska can have access to higher education; to participate in real-time chats with their instructors and fellow students; and to take classes that actually earn them a quality APU degree-all from the comfort of their own homes. RANA has also opened other distance education opportunities at APU. Online classes vary from introductory writing classes to major coursework in programs such as Human Services - to online components that expand on a block trip planned to Malawi in January. (See page 5 for a story on the Malawi trip.) Bringing online education to our students, we rely on a course management system called Moodle.

Instructor Beverly Dennis is a two-time APU graduate (she holds an Organizational Management degree and a Master of Business Administration from APU) and now is a very popular instructor in APU's Degree Completion and RANA programs. Ms. Dennis teaches courses both on campus and via Moodle. Ms. Dennis recently worked with one of our students, Taz Mannix, who was chosen for the US Ski Team. Taz needed to complete a course in communication, and yet had to be out of the country competing in ski races. Through Moodle, Ms. Dennis was able to enroll Taz in a communication class and create an online "classroom" in which Taz could find all her assignments and resources.

Ms. Dennis enjoys teaching in both the classroom and in our online offerings. "The online classes allow busy adults the ability to take a course that fits in with their demanding schedules. It is a boon to those working adults who have a busy travel schedule, as they can be in the virtual classroom from anywhere. One of my RANA students is a nurse who works with an orphanage in Ethiopia. She has been able to participate in our chats for the Communication class from her remote site in Ethiopia as well as from her home in Anchorage. You can imagine the wonderful perspective that she offers to the other students in this class."

Dr. Esther Beth Sullivan is the Director of Distance Education and RANA here at APU. Dr. Sullivan believes that one of the key benefits of a distance education program is that it "allows people to stay in their own communities while they earn their degrees." She says online courses at APU are important because they are "accessible, manageable, and based in the culture and traditions of Alaska-relevant to people who are becoming the leaders of our state."

Judith Farrow of Delta Junction recently completed her degree through the RANA Program. "I earned my BA in Organizational Management with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management; I'm taking a little break, but then I want to pursue a Masters degree." From her perspective, distance education and online courses at APU made it possible to stay focused on her job, community, and family-and get a quality education. For her senior project, Judith developed a staff handbook for the nonprofit social service agency, Alpha Omega Life Care, within which she serves as the Associate Director.

Through the RANA Distance Education Program, students can earn their Bachelor of Arts in K-8 Education, Health Services Administration, Human Services, Business Administration and Management, Business Administration and Management with a Non-profit emphasis and Associate of Arts in K-8 Education. What's more, with APU's online courses, students from all of APU's programs are finding ways to continue with coursework no matter how far away from campus they might be.

What is Moodle?

At APU, your "virtual classroom" is housed in Moodle. Moodle is an online course management system designed to help educators and students create effective online learning communities.

In line with APU's commitment to active learning, Moodle's design encourages interactive learning.

In Moodle's environment, participants learn from one another, constructing and testing their knowledge together.
Moodle works like other websites and webservices. You connect to the internet, link to APU Moodle, and "login." You then see your course site.
In your course site, you find all the required assignments and activities.
Your instructor may also provide for options such as chat, discussion board, forum, and wiki.
Through Moodle, you can find grading information, and you can track your progress on assignments.

Stacy Haesaert is a second year student in Alaska Pacific University's marine biology program. Originally from Massachusetts, she came here for the snowy winters and the endless outdoor activities available right in the school's backyard. While attending APU, Stacy has tried her hand at a variety of activities such as ice climbing, glacier travel, rock climbing, and snowboarding.

Stacy is a certified open water diver and will receive her advanced open water certification in the spring. Stacy is interested in whales and dolphins and hopes to be a lead marine mammal rescuer and rehabilitator. "Being part of APU's marine biology program in Alaska opens a lot of doors. With the differences in climate, weather, and marine mammals that live here, I will get a great base for any kind of marine mammal work I want to do, anywhere around the world. With the hands on experiences I receive through this program, I feel confident applying for an internship in my field."

Stacy intends to finish up with a Bachelor of Science in both marine biology and environmental science over the next few years and is excited to see what Alaska has in store for her.





AROUND THE WORLD UNIVERSITY NEWS ALUMNI NEWS DISTANCE LEARNING MALAWI AFRICA LEADERSHIP & GIVING BARRON'S BEST BUY archives	Distance Learning

	Breaking Down Barriers APU's Rural Alaska Native Adult (RANA) Distance Education Program is in its seventh year. With RANA, we are breaking down the barriers of time and distance so working adults anywhere in Alaska can have access to higher education; to participate in real-time chats with their instructors and fellow students; and to take classes that actually earn them a quality APU degree-all from the comfort of their own homes. RANA has also opened other distance education opportunities at APU. Online classes vary from introductory writing classes to major coursework in programs such as Human Services - to online components that expand on a block trip planned to Malawi in January. (See page 5 for a story on the Malawi trip.) Bringing online education to our students, we rely on a course management system called Moodle. Instructor Beverly Dennis is a two-time APU graduate (she holds an Organizational Management degree and a Master of Business Administration from APU) and now is a very popular instructor in APU's Degree Completion and RANA programs. Ms. Dennis teaches courses both on campus and via Moodle. Ms. Dennis recently worked with one of our students, Taz Mannix, who was chosen for the US Ski Team. Taz needed to complete a course in communication, and yet had to be out of the country competing in ski races. Through Moodle, Ms. Dennis was able to enroll Taz in a communication class and create an online "classroom" in which Taz could find all her assignments and resources. Ms. Dennis enjoys teaching in both the classroom and in our online offerings. "The online classes allow busy adults the ability to take a course that fits in with their demanding schedules. It is a boon to those working adults who have a busy travel schedule, as they can be in the virtual classroom from anywhere. One of my RANA students is a nurse who works with an orphanage in Ethiopia. She has been able to participate in our chats for the Communication class from her remote site in Ethiopia as well as from her home in Anchorage. You can imagine the wonderful perspective that she offers to the other students in this class." Dr. Esther Beth Sullivan is the Director of Distance Education and RANA here at APU. Dr. Sullivan believes that one of the key benefits of a distance education program is that it "allows people to stay in their own communities while they earn their degrees." She says online courses at APU are important because they are "accessible, manageable, and based in the culture and traditions of Alaska-relevant to people who are becoming the leaders of our state." Judith Farrow of Delta Junction recently completed her degree through the RANA Program. "I earned my BA in Organizational Management with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management; I'm taking a little break, but then I want to pursue a Masters degree." From her perspective, distance education and online courses at APU made it possible to stay focused on her job, community, and family-and get a quality education. For her senior project, Judith developed a staff handbook for the nonprofit social service agency, Alpha Omega Life Care, within which she serves as the Associate Director. Through the RANA Distance Education Program, students can earn their Bachelor of Arts in K-8 Education, Health Services Administration, Human Services, Business Administration and Management, Business Administration and Management with a Non-profit emphasis and Associate of Arts in K-8 Education. What's more, with APU's online courses, students from all of APU's programs are finding ways to continue with coursework no matter how far away from campus they might be. To learn more about APU online courses go to www.alaskapacific.edu What is Moodle? At APU, your "virtual classroom" is housed in Moodle. Moodle is an online course management system designed to help educators and students create effective online learning communities. In line with APU's commitment to active learning, Moodle's design encourages interactive learning. In Moodle's environment, participants learn from one another, constructing and testing their knowledge together. Moodle works like other websites and webservices. You connect to the internet, link to APU Moodle, and "login." You then see your course site. In your course site, you find all the required assignments and activities. Your instructor may also provide for options such as chat, discussion board, forum, and wiki. Through Moodle, you can find grading information, and you can track your progress on assignments. Student Profile Stacy Haesaert is a second year student in Alaska Pacific University's marine biology program. Originally from Massachusetts, she came here for the snowy winters and the endless outdoor activities available right in the school's backyard. While attending APU, Stacy has tried her hand at a variety of activities such as ice climbing, glacier travel, rock climbing, and snowboarding. Stacy is a certified open water diver and will receive her advanced open water certification in the spring. Stacy is interested in whales and dolphins and hopes to be a lead marine mammal rescuer and rehabilitator. "Being part of APU's marine biology program in Alaska opens a lot of doors. With the differences in climate, weather, and marine mammals that live here, I will get a great base for any kind of marine mammal work I want to do, anywhere around the world. With the hands on experiences I receive through this program, I feel confident applying for an internship in my field." Stacy intends to finish up with a Bachelor of Science in both marine biology and environmental science over the next few years and is excited to see what Alaska has in store for her.

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