OSU, Godman Guild team up to provide access to technology, resources

COLUMBUS – Marian Battise, an unemployed University District resident, knows that finding and keeping a job is a challenge if you don’t have the right skills in this era of advanced technology.

That’s why she jumped at the chance to take computer, workforce development and other life-skills classes offered through a partnership between Ohio State University Extension, the College of Education’s Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE) and the Godman Guild Association, 303 W. Sixth Ave.

The Technology Access for Better Learning and Employment (TABLE) project, which was funded by a $241,000 grant from the national Department of Education, began in October 2002.

Susan Colbert, University District agent for OSU Extension, said the grant specifically funds the community technology center, which provides disadvantaged residents with access to information technology and related training. The goal of the TABLE project is to provide education and employment training for at least 400 residents who live in empowerment zones, which are federally designated areas that have residents with lower education and higher unemployment rates than other areas in Columbus.
The center helps residents earn their general equivalency diploma (GED), or with job training, pursuing postsecondary education or becoming more computer literate.

Colbert said the TABLE project gives residents the tools to meet the changing needs and expectations in the job market.

“The project builds on the students assets and reduces their barriers for employment,” Colbert said. “As a result of the grant, the Learning Center, which is located in the Godman Guild facility, can now integrate workforce development, life skills, literacy and technology.”

Of the 970 community technology centers representing 24 states that applied for the grant, Colbert said the TABLE project is one of 56 centers awarded to receive the funding in FY 2002 and the only center in the State of Ohio.

Cathryne Callaway, program coordinator for OSU Extension, said between 150 and 200 residents already have taken courses offered through the TABLE project. The courses are taught by undergraduate students who serve as instructors and tutors for the residents. The Godman Guild staff and Ohio State Extension employees also teach workforce development classes at the Learning Center. In addition, as a part of the university’s outreach and engagement initiatives, students, faculty and staff have volunteered to help with the project. Callaway said many residents are referred to the project from the city’s Job and Family Services department or temporary employment agencies.

Deborah Bingham Catri, senior research specialist for Ohio State’s Center on Education and Training for Employment, said the center is evaluating the effectiveness of the TABLE project. As one of the nation’s leading centers in developing employment-related education and training, Catri said the center has the resources to examine how well the residents are learning as well as the instructors’ methods for using technology to teach.

“CETE has a long history of working as teacher educators and in helping adults gain education and employment,” Catri said. “We bring the evaluation and the research component to the table as well as the technological delivery of instruction.”

Karen Bruns, who leads the university extension’s OSU CARES program, said the community benefits from the TABLE project as much as the university does.

“Our original mission as a land-grant university is to connect the people of the state with Ohio State’s resources,” Bruns said. “We are using the technology to help the residents learn other things, including financial management and writing a resume. The project also allows Ohio State students to apply what they are learning out in the community.

“When we do outreach and engagement, it is a mutually beneficial relationship – the university gains as much from it as the community.”