10/18/99

News directors, editors: A photo of Sharon Brehm is available at: http://cscwww.cats.ohiou.edu/news/pix/Brehm.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio - Provosts and chief instructional officers from across the state met in Columbus at the inaugural board meeting of the Ohio Learning Network and elected Ohio University Provost Sharon Brehm chair of the board.

The OLN, a consortium of 55 of Ohio's public and private colleges and universities, held its first board meeting Oct.12 and the Ohio Board of Regents approved Brehm's appointment Friday.

The OLN increases access to learning opportunities by promoting technology for instruction and research. The network facilitates partnerships among higher education institutions and collaborations between higher education and public schools, business, industry and local communities.

"The Ohio Learning Network is an incredibly important enterprise that will play a crucial role in enhancing educational access and economic development in the state," Brehm said. "I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with other members of the board to ensure OLN's effectiveness and efficiency in fulfilling its mission."

Among its initial projects, the Ohio Learning Network will create an on-line course catalog listing more than 300 courses offered via distance learning from Ohio's public and private colleges and universities. Some courses are World Wide Web-based and others have on-campus components.

OLN is sponsoring the Ohio Video Intranet conference Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 at the Fawcett Center, Columbus, with the theme "Navigating Ohio's Technology Roadmap." The conference will focus on the need for Ohio schools to share infrastructure and for the K-16 education system to move forward with shared technologies.

OLN also provides grants for innovations in teaching and learning and professional development partnerships. For more information, visit the OLN Web site at: http://www.oln.org