UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Center for Online Innovation in Learning (COIL) has announced it will fund seven new projects through its Research Initiation Grant program.
The goal of the grant program is to provide seed money for Penn State researchers to gather preliminary evidence in the hope of pursuing external funding for larger studies that enhance teaching and learning through online innovation.
The following faculty members and graduate students have received grants for their projects from COIL’s spring 2015 round of funding:
- Neyda Abreu, associate professor of math and geosciences, Penn State DuBois, “Hyperreality journeys into the Earth: Incorporating modern imaging and electron microscopy techniques into geoscience hybrid and online courses”;
- C. Lee Giles, interim associate dean, College of IST, “Building online books using open educational resources for zero cost personalized and collaborative learning”;
- Kyung Kim, graduate student, College of Education, “Exploratory development of a tool to measure learners’ knowledge structure in online learning courses: Formative structural assessment”;
- Anthony Robinson, assistant professor of geography, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, “Geospatial visual analytics for learning at scale”;
- Fariha Salman, graduate student, College of Education, “Green designers: Augmented reality learning experience for sustainable engineering design”;
- Deborah Schussler, associate professor of education, College of Education, “Using virtual role-play modules to accelerate student mastery of effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution strategies: Phase 2”; and
- Erica Smithwick, associate professor of geography, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, “Interactive videos in online learning.”
“We received a great batch of strong proposals from an expanding community of faculty, staff and student researchers working to enhance learning,” said Kyle Peck, co-director of COIL and professor of education. “These projects emerged from a peer-review process, edging out other worthy proposals. It's exciting to see the momentum developing and Penn State increasing its contributions in this area.”
COIL’s Research Initiation Grants program began in 2012, and funding has been available each fall and spring semester. The next round of funding closes Nov. 16.
For more information about the Research Initiation Grant program and past recipients, visit the COIL website.