ESF Receives Innovative Instruction Technology Grants

SUNY grants to fund projects that have system-wide potential
8/10/2012

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) received a grant to fund campus innovations through the State University of New York's (SUNY) 2012 Innovative Instruction Technology Grants (IITG) program.

The proposal, "Engaging Students in Information Literacy and Digital Literacy through Emerging Technologies," will use apps for iPods and iPads to help students understand the library services and library information they have access to on campus. Using these devices will enable the students to become more comfortable with technology.

The proposal was prepared by Director of College Libraries Stephen Weiter and Jessica Clemons, assistant librarian. The project was viewed by SUNY as an initiative that has the potential to be replicated throughout the SUNY system and benefit students and faculty worldwide.

IITG is a competitive grants program open to SUNY faculty and support staff across all disciplines. IITG encourages development of innovations that meet The Power of SUNY's transformative vision. Grant recipients will openly share project outcomes, enabling SUNY colleagues to replicate and build upon an innovation.

"This new competitive grants program will enable partnerships across SUNY to leverage technology as a means to educate students. It serves as an excellent example of the power of SUNY to realize efficiencies through the sharing of resources and instructional partnerships within our system," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher.

Of the 117 proposals submitted, 48 were selected to receive awards across three different funding tiers. These awards will foster study and development of educational gaming tools, e-textbooks, online classes, e-portfolios for lifelong learning and more.

All projects included an assessment and communications plan to ensure that the new innovations can be openly shared and replicated across SUNY. Funded projects demonstrating potential for multi-campus use will be eligible to apply for additional funds in 2013.