Higher education institutions are recognizing that providing the opportunity for lifelong learning is vital. However, responding to these needs is not without challenges. Technologies applicable to teaching at a distance are changing at a rapid rate. In developing distance education programs, having knowledge about the Internet generation and adult learners is critical.
There are tremendous needs for research studies in order to discover, develop, generate and share new knowledge in computer based and video conferencing distance education that support the scholarship of teaching distance education courses. This section is intended to provide information on some of the current research being conducted, as well as funding sources. We also ask that if you are aware of useful information, you share it with us.
Resource LinksUNL
Research Compliance
UNL Office of Research
A web-based tool for assessing student learning outcomes.
A committee of faculty members who were convened to develop strategies for assessing student learning in distance education courses at UNL recommends that distance education instructors consider the use of the SALG Instrument. The instrument, and a detailed explanation of its background and uses can be found at the following web site:
www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/cl1/flag/cat/salg/salg7.htmtop
You are invited to submit funding proposals for extended education course/program development grants. Priority use of these incentive funds will be given to development of new graduate degree (masters) programs, expansion of existing graduate degree and certificate programs and development of new undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. Some funding will also be used for the development of new distance education courses. Preference will be given to UNL Advanced Scholars courses (undergraduate courses for high school students), high enrollment General Education courses (alternative for UNL students taking courses from other institutions) and courses that support a distance degree or certificate program.
The Office of Research leads UNL's efforts to increase outside funding for projects and programs. They offer a number of valuable services, such as:
- Assistance to faculty in obtaining and managing funding to support creative and scholarly activities.
- Assistance to UNL faculty and administrators developing competitive external grant proposals.
- Assistance to faculty, staff, and students who are working with animals or humans in research, teaching or extension endeavors on the premises of any site governed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and for research, teaching, or extension activities conducted elsewhere in connection with their institutional responsibilities.
- In addition to the above services, the Office of Research sponsors numerous grant writing workshops, consultation and help working with program directors, and access to the Community of Science database: The Community of Science brings together researchers at more than 1,600 universities, corporations and government agencies worldwide. Visitors to the COS web site may search for funding information by keyword, browse by sponsoring agency, sort by country, and limit results by deadline date, funding amounts, and many other factors. Distance learning, instructional technology, and instructional design are keyword areas of interest. You may subscribe to the weekly Funding Alert notification service and customize search results to your needs. Visit the Office of Research web site for further information about these important services.
Key Grant Competitions for Distance Educators
• Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)
• USDA: Higher Education Grants
• Institute of Education Sciences
• National Endowment
for the Humanities
Search the Community of Science database for the many other opportunities available for distance educators.
The Community of Science brings together researchers at more than 1,600 universities, corporations and government agencies worldwide. Visitors to the COS Web site may search for funding information by keyword, browse by sponsoring agency, sort by country, and limit results by deadline date, funding amounts, and many other factors. Distance learning, instructional technology, instructional design are keyword areas of interest. You may subscribe to the weekly Funding Alert notification service and customize search results to particular needs.
Related InformationThe American Distance Education Consortium: Federal Programs and Grants provides an extensive list of specific grants and other funding opportunities related to technology-based education. Direct links to program sites are provided. This is an excellent site to locate specific program opportunities quickly.
The Foundation Center: Finding Funders: According to its web site, "The Foundation Center collects, organizes, and communicates information on U.S. philanthropy; conducts and facilitates research on trends in the field; provides education and training; and ensures public access to information and services through its Web site, print and electronic publications, five library/learning centers, and a national network of over 200 cooperating collections."
The intent of Grants.gov is to provide a single online point of access to the U.S. Federal Government's grant-making agencies. A "Get Started" checklist helps potential applicants through the process required for grant submissions and identifies the key roles and responsibilities required for the organization wishing to submit a grant proposal.
Distance Education Grants, developed by the Instructional Technology Council at the University of Wisconsin-Extension, provides an outstanding listing of funding sources specifically focused on distance education. This site highlights grant information added within the past days. The site provides links to federal government funding programs as well as a special section on foundations that provide funding for distance education.
Funding and
Grant Information: Distance Learning Clearinghouse lists sources with a
focus on technology, distance education or related fields. This site also includes
listings of databases of funding sources that can be searched for specific funding
objectives.
