Field-Initiated Studies Project

The National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning (PLLI) of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) funds educational research projects generated by investigators under the Field Initiated Studies Program (FIS). These projects may be proposed by individuals, institutions of higher education, and public and private institutions, organizations, and agencies. In FY 1996, PLLI received approximately 100 applications and made six awards of up to $900,000 each over the 3-year term of the grants. Fiscal Year (FY)96 Awards under the Field-Initiated Studies Educational Research Grant Program Case Studies in Evaluating the Benefits and Costs of Mediated Instruction and Distributed Learning. This study will develop estimates of the benefits and costs associated with various types of distance education and distributed learning in higher education. Case studies involving eight universities will be conducted. (Two-year project. Award amount in FY 1996: $248,611; and projected award amount in FY 1997: $155,040.) Contact: Dr. Frank I. Jewett Director, Research Projects Information Resources and Technology California State University P.O. Box 3842 Seal Beach, CA 90740-7842 Phone #: (362) 985-9156 Market-Based Adult Lifelong Learning Performance Measures for Public Libraries Serving Lower Income and Majority-Minority Markets. This study will research, demonstrate, and validate the combined use of marketing principles and information technology to inventory and evaluate adult lifelong learning needs for majority-minority and low income areas serviced by public libraries. This study will develop, for the first time, a national baseline on adult educational needs in such areas, while also developing a low-cost repeatable methodology that will assist all public librarians in evaluating educational needs in their communities. Check out the project website at http://www.geolib.org. (Two and a half-year project. Award amount in FY 1996: $139,701; projected award amount in FY 1997: $200,138; and projected award amount in FY 1998: $82,720.) Contact: Dr. Christine M. Koontz Assistant in Research 103 Herb Morgan Building 2035 E. Paul Dirac Drive Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306 Phone #: (904) 644-3410 A Field Initiated Demonstration Project in Support of Special Mission of Community Colleges as Primary Postsecondary Career Educators of Disabled Adults. This project will develop and test a repeatable model that two-year colleges can use to better support lifelong career development of disabled adults. The study will focus on student and staff development strategies, curriculum bridges, work-based learning, and cost benefit factors. (Three-year project. Award amount in FY 1996: $227,809; projected award amount in FY 1997: $228,425; and projected award amount in FY 1998: $223,483.) Contact: Ms. Mary Moriarty American with Disabilities Act Coordinator Springfield Technical Community College One Armory Square Springfield, MA, 01105 Phone: (413) 781-7822, x3827 A Study of Adult Museum Programs. This project will conduct research on improving adult learning experiences in museums. The study will focus on how museums effectively serve adult audiences, and will examine the methodology upon which adult education programs in museums are based. Findings from this study can be used to help assess museum programs for adults in order to develop ways that adult educators might improve their teaching strategies or teaching styles. (Three-year project. Award amount in FY 1996: $105,690; projected award amount in FY 1997: $133,853; and projected award amount in FY 1998: $141,888.) Contact: Dr. Bonnie Sachatella-Sawyer Director of Education Museum of the Rockies Montana State University 600 W. Kagy Bozeman, MT 59717 Phone (406) 994-5282 E-Lit. This project is to determine the effectiveness of providing basic skills instruction through community networks and through Internet to adults who need a high school credential. This researcher, with the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, Johnston C. Smith University, the Charlotte Housing Authority, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and TRO Learning, Inc., will examine how community-based institutions can use new, low-cost technologies to expand opportunities for adult lifelong learners. (Three-year project. Award amount in FY 1996: $245,505; projected award amount in FY 1997: $325,000; and projected award amount in FY 1998: $325,000.) Contact: Dr. Cynthia Johnston Department Head, Adult Basic Education Central Piedmont Community College P.O. Box 35009 Charlotte, NC 28235-5009 Phone: (704) 330-6716 Enhancing Faculty Contributions to Learning Productivity. This project will examine how faculty influence undergraduate student learning. These results will inform recommendations for specific policies and practices at departmental, institutional, and state levels to promote more effective faculty contributions to undergraduate learning. The research design integrates national survey data on faculty with in-depth case studies of faculty work and student learning in nine institutions operating in three state policy environments. (Three-year project. Award amount in FY 1996: $242,890; projected award amount in FY 1997: $245,655; and projected award amount in FY 1998: $232,149.) Contact: Dr. James Fairweather and Dr. Carol Colbeck Center for the Study of Higher Education Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16801-5252 Phone: (814) 865-8367

This page last modified February 2, 2000 ( kdj)