UC Experts Discuss Hot Topics and Trends in Education

Cincinnati -- As part of a back-to-school news briefing, UC faculty and staff explained how the university is reaching out to educate students around the world and around the block.

Among the topics was Keith King's recent research on several issues involving the world's youth, such as violence, drug use, suicide, and eating disorders. King is an assistant professor of Health Promotion and Education in the College fo Education. He says the key to preventing child violence is to "get kids positively connected to positive individuals and positive situations."

A new program King and another university graduate student, Beth Davis, have launched is designed to do just that. The program has established mentor relationships, goal setting, self-esteem enhancement, and has effectively decreased the rate of violence and drug use in area schools. Students who were not originally in the program are now asking to be enrolled, and first-year participants will likely become mentors to next year's group of fourth graders.

In the near future, King will be compiling a course for education students on how to prevent child violence. He is also compiling information for parents, teaching them the art of communicating to their children about drugs and violence.

International Opportunities
Gayle Elliott, director of UC's International Co-op Program, explained how students prepare for their international experiences, and what a valuable addition the program has been to the university. Through the nearly 400 hours students spend in preparation, participants are able to adequately learn a language, a nation's cultural differences, and actually spend time with a professor in the country of their choice (Germany, Japan, or Spain). Since its inception, the program has seen 252 successful students complete their time abroad.

Elliott says the students come back "feeling they can do anything!" Participating corporations have appreciated the students' contributions, and have often invited them on as full-time employees. Some of the partnerships include BMW, Chiquita, GM, Microchip, and Hewlett Packard.

Larry Gales discussed international opportunities within the College of Business Administration. Gales highlighted the numerous countries UC business students travel to in order to learn cross-cultural management, different financial systems, technology, language, and politics. "We're making the world our classroom," said Gales.

Regina Schneider, a current fourth-year student from Oak Hills and 1998 graduate of Seton High School, spoke of her experiences in various international programs at the university. She is a marketing major with minors in German and international business. Schneider says the programs have given her great perspective on the complications that can arise in a global business market. For instance, marketing skin care products in the Middle East where women are not permitted to show their skin, has been an advertising quandary. Schneider will be spending two weeks in Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France this summer with the college's Honors PLUS program.

Finally, Lisa Holstrom, director of Early Childhood Learning Community, and Sherri Beerman, a current student in the program, talked about the leaps and bounds early childhood educators have been making through distance learning.

Pre-recorded lectures can be seen via satellite from one's television, or can be purchased by the student. Participants in the program may interact with their professors and fellow students through e-mail and the electronic community discussion board. S

Says Rose Horn, "I may not have had this opportunity if I would have had to go to the university. Thanks for reaching out to our little rural area to further educate all."

Beerman added that she was able to keep up with her studies even while vacationing down in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

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