Comparator research was the focus of InTRO’s efforts during February. Initial findings indicate that peer institutions centralize the services that deliver instructional technology and digital learning to a much greater extent than UO. Organizational structures and objectives differ to some degree, but the majority of our peers have initiated innovative digital education programming through strategic planning and implementation within the last 4-7 years.
We have drafted a provisional organizational model, mapping the core components of digital education – in theory – for our peer institutions:
This model reflects a trend towards centralized mission/service-delineated roles around teaching and learning, educational technology, central IT, continuing education, and the major academic units.
We have also prepared a draft model mapping the current, distributed state of educational technology at the University of Oregon based on our ongoing inventory of service providers:
New referrals continue to arrive in the office, including a project to develop video components for an online course in the College of Business, and another to create an interactive online resource to prepare Linguistics majors for job interviews. Our referral projects for the academic year so far have involved the following services: Online Course Development, Multimedia Production, Technology Tools and Application/ Personal Devices, Outreach/Presentations, Pedagogy, and Program Support.
InTRO continues to look for outreach and information sharing opportunities. New and expanded service provider descriptions are being prepared for publication on the InTRO website, which is now linked from the Academic Affairs, Information Services, Academic Extension, and Teaching Effectiveness Program websites, and appears in the UO A to Z listing. Links from the UO Libraries, CAS and A&AA websites are in progress. An InTRO slide has been prepared for the Four Winds digital signage system, and an informational postcard to be sent to all faculty is in the works. Watch for it in your campus mailbox! Anyone who would like more information or would like to connect with InTRO (in person or digitally) please contact us.
We’ll have more to report next month, including InTRO attendance at the 100th Annual UPCEA Conference in Washington D.C.