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Vol. 38, No. 18 |
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3-17-2004 Grants help expand outreach presenceOhio State’s outreach and engagement programs continue to broaden as units and individuals learn to identify and harness the available sources of funding. This spring three initiatives — OSU CARES (a jointly funded effort of University Outreach and Engagement and Ohio State Extension), the Service-Learning Initiative and the Office of Continuing Education — are making available seed grants to support new or expanded outreach and engagement efforts by university units (see accompanying sidebar). Units are encouraged to apply for one or more of these proposals. The Planning Education at a Distance (PED) program, a combined effort of the OSU Extension Land Use Team and OSU’s City and Regional Planning program, is a perfect example of how a combination of grants can help launch and support an innovative outreach vehicle. PED is an Internet-based educational tool that provides city planners and government officials with online urban and regional planning-related continuing education opportunities, said PED Director Jennifer Evans-Cowley. An assistant professor of city and regional planning, she started developing the project in late 2001, shortly after joining the university. PED provides participants with hands-on training to strengthen skills needed to manage land development through planning and bring new planning techniques to their community. Funding and support have come from many sources. The Office of Information Technology chose the PED program to serve as a pilot program to refine processes for handling online continuing education programs. OIT provided free services for one year while technical challenges were worked out, Evans-Cowley said. Since 2002, grants have been secured through Technology Enhanced Learning and Research; OSU CARES; the Office of Continuing Education; Battelle Endowment for Technology and Human Affairs (part of which funds the development of an online course); the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; and the Western Central Chapter of the American Planning Association. Evans-Cowley said the grants made the entire program possible. “Creating online courses is very time consuming,” she said. “The grants paid for a graduate research assistant, a portion of my time, software and hardware, and honoraria for participating instructors. The grants have enabled an increase in administrative capacity which allowed us to grow the program much more quickly than if I were working alone.” The grants also provided funds to effectively market the PED program, she added. Between December 2002 and February 2003, the first four online classes were offered, with more than 100 individuals participating in one or more courses. Approximately 25 participants have registered during the first two months of 2004. At the time they began developing the program there was no other organization offering online training on land use issues, Evans-Cowley said. “For OSU, it has increased the recognition of the university as a leader at the forefront of providing training on land use issues,” Evans-Cowley said. “Several leaders in planning and information technology have commented that Ohio State is the absolute leader in this field.” To encourage participation by professionals, each course was approved for continuing education credit by the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Institute of Architects. The PED Program is a registered continuing education provider with the American Institute of Architects. Evans-Cowley said they are continuing to develop new online continuing education courses, expanding on-site outreach programs, and plan to launch an online for-credit graduate certificate program in Facilities Planning and Management next year. For more details, visit the program Web site at http://knowlton.osu.edu/ped. On another front, Susan Zavotka, associate professor of consumer and textile sciences, Margaret Teaford, assistant professor of allied medicine, and Christine Price, assistant professor of human development and family sciences, have teamed up to promote universal design concepts. They, along with OSU Extension agents and a staff person from the Ohio Department of Aging have devised a program titled “Community Education of Aging in Place: The Promotion of Universal Design.” Universal design is based on the concept that products and environments can be designed to consider the needs of the widest possible array of users. By applying universal design techniques, interior features such as flooring, lighting, stairways and appliances can be built to maximize safety and independence for everyone, Teaford said. Existing structures can be modified to enable persons with physical limitations to continue living at home. The first goal of the collaboration was to train OSU Extension agents to conduct community workshops. Teaford estimates that workshops have reached approximately 650 people over the past three years, with OSU Extension publications spreading the universal design message to more than 17,000 others. A partnership with Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse has provided materials for use in workshops, Teaford said, and a logical place to disseminate universal design and home modification information to seniors, their families and building professionals. Approximately 90 Lowe’s employees have been trained about universal design products. Zavotka and Teaford also team-teach a service-learning course they created, “Practicum on Home Modifications and Universal Design.” Students study universal design concepts and apply those concepts by conducting workshops and home assessments, Teaford said. Teams of two students visit homes, discuss home accessibility issues with the homeowners and, upon their return, draft a report on suggested changes to improve ease of living. After instructor approval, the reports are forwarded to homeowners, along with a list of materials and prices involved. Two outreach grants from OSU CARES helped collaborators pull together materials for the universal design program and hire a part-time graduate student, Teaford said, while a Service-Learning grant helped develop the course. “We could not have done this without financial support,” Teaford said. “The grants were the catalyst, because they allowed us to approach Lowe’s and other agencies for additional assistance.” This spring, three initiatives are making available seed grants to support new or expanded engagement efforts by units. Units are encouraged to apply for one or more of these proposals: • 2004 Service-Learning Initiative Interdisciplinary University/Community Service-Learning Grants. These grants support the development of interdisciplinary university/community teams who will plan and implement projects that address community goals in areas such as health, community safety, youth, housing or education. Proposals are due April 4. The maximum amount for each grant is $8,000. For details or to apply, visit www.service-learning.ohio-state.edu/. • Continuing Education Course Development Grants. These grants are offered to support faculty in adapting credit and non-credit courses delivered using non-traditional teaching/learning formats that target an expanded learner base. Proposals are accepted throughout the year. A maximum of $15,000 per year for three years may be requested. Funding beyond the first year is subject to review and granted based upon evaluation of the course effectiveness. For details or to apply, visit www.continuinged.ohio-state.edu/. • OSU CARES Seed Grants. OSU CARES is a jointly funded effort of University Outreach and Engagement and Ohio State Extension. These grants are designed to support interdisciplinary teams to expand their engagement with the community. It is required that two colleges and three departments (one of which is OSU Extension) be involved in the grant application. Proposals are due May 3. The maximum amount for each grant is $7,500. For details or to apply, visit www.osucares.osu.edu.
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