Changing the way the world learns: Extended and Continuing Education

"My passion is to change the way the world learns," said Ann Hill Duin, newly appointed associate provost and director of Extended and Continuing Education (ECE), part of Iowa State University Extension.

The future of ECE lies in the future of learning, she said. It's about facilitating, or being a gateway for, learning connections -- between ISU and industry, faculty and learners, and learners and opportunities around the globe. This summer, Duin will lead this new direction for Iowa's land-grant university.

"I believe Extended and Continuing Education needs to go to learners and ask what they need to increase their knowledge and better prepare them for future jobs. Our best workers are involved in lifelong learning," Duin said. "I'm most excited about ECE being the catalyst for bringing partners together in this dramatically changing higher education landscape."

According to Duin, citizens of Iowa, no matter their age or place, will be able to be matched with opportunities to meet their learning needs. ECE will provide links to all learning available at ISU as learners' needs are identified.

For example, an attorney wanting a short course on e-commerce could find out about a symposium on campus, register on-line and upon doing so, become part of a chat group of all registrants. Faculty could facilitate the on-line discussion, designing an effective conference based on participants' shared needs.

If ISU does not have coursework available, ECE will continually scan what Duin terms the "learning marketspace" to locate the best information and resources and then provide it in an easily accessible manner.

Check ISU Extension's Extended and Continuing Education Web site for information about ISU's off-campus and distance education degree programs and credit courses, continuing education conferences and more.

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• Last update: June 20, 2000