The crisis state of rural economies has been well documented. Family farms and traditional agricultural industries are in decline. In the south, the requirements of mechanized manufacturing and service industries have highlighted a problem of staggering proportions: only half of the adults 25 and over have received high school diplomas, and many are functionally illiterate. They constitute a workforce whose skills do not match the demands of their environment. Recommendations have been made for an alternative approach to rural economic development that emphasizes local entrepreneurship and small business development. Educational initiatives are needed which are tailored to the needs of adult learners with significant educational deficiencies. Such initiatives must improve workplace literacy and interpersonal skills, and enhance entrepreneurial awareness and opportunities. Micro businessess, i.e. home-based enterprises that employ fewer than five people, can provide a viable option. To prepare people for such ventures, an effective delivery system must be developed which is flexible, adaptable, and supportive of the learner's experiences and need for privacy. Interactive laserdisc technology can provide such a system. Training and Development Resources would like to prove the technical feasibility of its application to rural adult learners with educational deficiencies by developing a program on micro-business development and delivering it through the community college system.Applications:If the project is successful, the North Carolina Community College System has indicated an interest in utilizing the program in its Human Resource and Development Division. The program could be made commercially available to community colleges and other entities throughout North Carolina and in other states. This project has the potential to open a new market to interactive laserdisc technology; spur small scale business develoment in depressed areas; and generate public interest in financing small business ventures.
