More than 150 technology experts in technology - as well as stakeholders in education from across 26 states - recently took part in an effort to increase access to learning in rural schools across America.

They attended the National Rural Education Technology Summit in Washington D.C.

Federal leaders offered examples of where technology has been leveraged to overcome distance, such as providing access to college-level course work online.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the formation of an Online Learning Registry to provide access to priceless historical materials, like those found at the national Smithsonian Institute.

More than half of the nation's school districts are located in rural areas and one-fifth of all public school children (about 10 million) are enrolled in rural schools.