Disaster Preparedness Planning for Schools

In September of 2007 the Institute for Biosecurity’s Gene Carroll was asked by the International Society for Technology in Education to write a book with Jan Hinson Ed.D, and Kimberly LaPrarie of LSU about the best methods to fast track curriculum from the traditional classroom to the Internet in the event of an emergency.

This is a two-volume piece with the working title “Face to Face to Cyberspace” and targets school administrators and preparedness planners in volume one, exploring the question of "Why should one attempt to use the Internet for continuing education in a crisis?"  The second volume is a more in depth look at how to actually convert classroom curriculum to a distance-learning format.

The project and collaboration were a result of research into curriculum development, and the unique challenges faced by educators in Louisiana after the Hurricane Katrina and Rita disasters. There is much to be learned from these events about the effects on students of a prolonged absence from school.  In future disasters, whether natural or manmade, lack of access to schools, a drop in the number of available educators, the need for social distancing to prevent disease transmission and other issues will give the Internet a vital role to play in educating and informing students, and helping them to understand their situation.

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