Supporting Next-Gen Academic Development in a Web 2.0 World

Supporting Next-Gen Academic Development in a Web 2.0 World

This presentation was by two people from UT Austin—Robert Bruce and Susanna Herndon. While there was a great deal of information about the processes that their office used to discover, test, and then disseminate new technologies that might be effective in the classroom, what struck me more was the organizational connections that were made to link what are key elements.

Essentially, UT Austin has combined into one division, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Center for Teaching Excellence, and Assessment. This combined office is known as the Division of Institutional Innovation and Assessment, or DIIA. This Division reports directly to the Provost and has the power to convene, advise, and advocate. In listening to their presentation, the real power behind this administrative structure was to allow the Division to approach departments and programs from one of many directions and then link in the other offices once faculty and staff became involved. So, for instance, if a department of program came to the office looking for help in assessment because of a pending accreditation visit, the Division would also point out ways that technology and re-consideration of pedagogy would benefit them in trying to meet standards. If the department was receptive to including new technology, then the Division could also point out the pedagogical opportunities offered by the new technology, as well as means to assess the success of the implementation.

The web site for the DIIA is very robust and worth a look. While many schools may not be as large as this one, the lesson that organizational linkages between important administrative offices can have a great benefit.