Help Transform Georgia Tech’s Educational Landscape: A Town Hall on the Educational Innovation Ecosystem

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Office of the Provost will host Help Transform Georgia Tech’s Educational Landscape: A Town Hall on the Educational Innovation Ecosystem.

Scheduled for 11 a.m. in Klaus Auditorium, Room 1443, the town hall will discuss a new, unified initiative between Center for 21st Century Universities (C21U), Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL), Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE), and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to grow, support, and expand the educational experience at Georgia Tech.

The groups represent distinct and key players that lead and guide the educational innovation mission for the Institute. C21U, CETL, GTPE, and OIT each play a critical role in the way the educational experience is delivered to the Georgia Tech learner — from high school students taking summer courses, to undergraduate and graduate students, to professionals seeking certifications, and the many learners in-between.

“Each of these units has, in their own way, been instrumental in innovating the ways the educational experience is delivered at Georgia Tech,” said Rafael L. Bras, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “We know that by coordinating and streamlining those efforts, we will be in a good position to continue to lead in all that we do as an institution, both in education and in research.”

The town hall is designed to bring faculty, staff, and students together to discuss the vision and mission of the initiative, recent changes, and ideas for moving forward guided by a team-oriented, strategic purpose, including ways faculty can innovate their classroom environment now and going forward.

Forthcoming initiatives include opportunities to participate in a new Learning Management System (LMS) pilot, a call for applications in response to the latest Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Request for Proposals (RFP), the latest opportunities via Georgia Tech Fund for Innovation in Research and Education (GT-FIRE), and the next steps in the Learning Analytics initiative.

Included in the streamlining efforts is the reorganization of C21U, moving the unit from the College of Computing to the Office of the Provost. The Office of Educational Technology will also be moved under C21U. The move to the Office of the Provost will allow C21U to serve as an advisory unit, as well as provide flexibility and analysis unrelated to any particular student type or academic discipline.

“The goal of the reorganization is to maximize the operations already in place at C21U, allowing for greater collaboration and strategic connections amongst the units,” said Bras. “The placement makes sense now more than ever, as the units will work together. We have accomplished extraordinary things as separate entities. Imagine the possibilities when those efforts are aligned.“

Any interested faculty, students or staff are invited to submit questions in advance of the meeting via email to provostsoffice@mail.gatech.edu. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the meeting.

On October 22, the Office of the Provost, together with Catherine Murray-Rust, dean of Libraries and vice provost for Academic Effectiveness, will also host a Library Renewal Project Town Hall to discuss the phased approach for a reimagining and renovation of Price Gilbert and Crosland Tower Library. The library town hall is scheduled at 11 a.m. in Room 152, Clough Commons.