Although the Commonwealth Educational System is in the midst of budget cuts, enrollment declines and some faculty uproar, it is still pushing forward with a new "vision" in active and collaborative learning.

Twenty freshmen each at the Berks, Delaware County and Mont Alto campuses will be chosen to participate in Project Vision, a program designed to change the "teaching environment into a learning environment," said Robert Dunham, senior vice president and dean of the CES.

"It's an exciting idea -- with all the problems in the CES with the budgets -- this is a real bright star," Dunham said. The program may be expanded to other campuses.

Active and collaborative learning -- a new University-wide effort -- allows students to set their own directions in learning through technology and new teaching methods.

Corrinne Caldwell, Mont Alto campus executive officer, said although many questions have yet to be answered, this is an opportunity for faculty and students.

"It's an opportunity for students to have education on the cutting edge," Caldwell said. "We're looking forward to implementing it."

In addition to traditional classes, the students will take two courses each semester of their freshman year that count toward general education requirements. The classes include a freshman seminar, a health education class and courses in Science, Technology and Society and American Studies.

"It's de-emphasizing the situation where students go to class for 50 minutes, three times a week, and the faculty member is a dispenser of information," Dunham said.

John Bardi, one of nine faculty members involved, said he could only guess how the classes will be different from traditional courses because the ideas are still evolving.

"Project Vision is recognizing education is bad as it is," said Bardi, a Mont Alto Campus philosophy professor. "It's focused not on knowledge but the power of inquiry."

The program also helps educate more students at a cheaper rate, Dunham said, because students will not necessarily have to go to class to get information. Instead, students will work together using computer resources and networks.

Faculty will not be eliminated, but their jobs as information dispensers will be phased out. The teacher becomes more of a coach or mentor, Dunham said.

"It's a whole new ball game," he said. "It might be possible to lower the cost and put the student in the driver's seat."

The courses are also designed to get students involved in the communities. For example, if students are working on public health issues, they can work in the community to explore them firsthand in a "real, live laboratory," Dunham said.

Currently, IBM and Bell Atlantic are sponsoring the program. IBM donated equipment and Bell Atlantic gave $150,000. Apple Computer and AT & T may join the sponsorship, Dunham said.

Corporations see universities as markets, he said, admitting that some corporations could be involved for selfish reasons, but their involvement benefits the University.

Although Dunham and Bardi could not say they are 100 percent sure that the program will work, they agreed it is a step in another direction.

"Some students may run in the other direction," Dunham said. "I don't think we'll force anything down anyone's throat."

Bardi said it might turn into a leap into the future or a fall into an abyss, but either way he is glad the University is taking the risk.

"I am a cynic and I'm convinced it's for real," Bardi said. "It's not being defined from above --they're allowing something new to emerge spontaneously."