Release

UAlbany Educator Receives Sloan Foundation Grant to Study Access to Learning

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 5, 2007) -- A UAlbany educator is slated to receive a $260,000 grant to study ways to increase access to instruction and enhance student learning.

Peter Shea, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Theory and Practice, will explore the uses of "blended learning," which combines traditional classroom and online instruction. Blended instruction is used to reduce participation barriers in higher education, as well as expose students to the different types of collaborative work environments prevalent in today's knowledge economy.

The grant, awarded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, will support forums for exploring curricular and instructional methods by using technologies to promote educational access, foster use of institutional resources, and expand student learning.

The grant complements the School of Education's technology and learning compact initiative, which is designed to help educators understand and develop 21st century learning methods.

The nonprofit Alfred P. Sloan Foundation was established in 1934 by president and CEO of the General Motors Corporation, Alfred Pritchard Sloan Jr., to provide support for research in science and technology, science and technology education, world economy, social or economic issues of national concern, and issues of concern to New Yorkers.



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