LU to share in Missouri universities' grant money

Thanks to two national foundations, Missouri's four-year universities are sharing in a $250,000 education grant to redesign courses, using technology to improve student learning.

In a 15-month project called the "Missouri Learning Commons," each university will redesign one course that is common to all institutions, Gov. Jay Nixon's office announced late Thursday, and each school will be guided by the principles and practices of the National Center for Academic Transformation, a well-known national leader in course redesign.

Annette Digby, Lincoln University's vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost, said Friday: "Lincoln will focus on the redesign of Basic English, with projected outcomes to include improved student learning; increased retention, persistence and graduation rates; and increased instructional efficiency."

In addition to redesigning a course, she said, the "Next Generation Learning Challenges" funding also will help with "collaborative curriculum planning, faculty professional development, and dissemination of effective models."