Episode 4: Take a lesson in the art of learning with Lee Gambol, Distance Learning Coordinator at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Listen to the podcast on Inkandescent Radio How Lee is embracing the idea of "Backslash Forward" by celebrating the past and embracing the future of distance learning

January 2023 — On this month's episode of the Distance Learning Roundtable, learn how Lee Gambol got involved in the field, the benefits of taking a remote field trip to your museum, and some of the challenges. Don't miss it!

January 2023: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for this month’s episode of our podcast and video show, Higher Ed Without Borders, where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.

Meet our guest: Lee Gambol, Distance Learning Coordinator at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Today’s Topic: How Lee is embracing the idea of “Backslash Forward” by celebrating the past and embracing the future of distance learning

Pat and Dean ask:

  • Tell us about “Backslash Forward”
  • How did you get involved in the field of distance learning?
  • What are the benefits of taking a remote field trip to your museum?
  • What are some of the challenges?
  • How has the museum evolved in the last decade?
  • What are some of the awards you have won?
  • How did you become involved with USDLA?
  • What do you think is the future of distance learning — in particular, distance learning field trip?

About our Guest: Lee Gambol was educated at Hiram College in the early 1990s and studied Theatre Arts and Biology. Lee began her career in creative interactive education as a children’s theatre performer and puppet builder in Youngstown, Ohio.

She taught about ocean life for the former Sea World of Ohio, traveled every state east of the Mississippi performing for Mr. Wizard’s Science Assembly Programs, and spent the late 90s wrangling high-voltage electricity and liquid nitrogen onstage at the Great Lakes Science Center. Lee returned to biology as a receptionist and room technician for Lakewood Animal Hospital until hired by HealthSpace Cleveland as a Health Educator and Camp-In Coordinator.

While adapting in-house museum programs for Distance Learning, Lee got involved with the National Association of Health Education Centers’ “Grossology LIVE!”  videoconference project, serving as a content writer and general wackiness consultant. The merger of HealthSpace and CMNH in January 2007 granted her the title of Distance Learning Coordinator and the opportunity to become a certified Red Cross CPR/First Aid Instructor. Lee now teaches and creates videoconference programs that highlight museum research, and can’t quite believe that she works at her favorite childhood place! Learn more here: www.cmnh.org

Learn more about the Distance Learning Roundtable: