Boston University to Debut Digital Learning, Innovation Center

Boston University's new digital learning center will focus on "the creative application of digital technologies in education." The Shipley Center for Digital Learning & Innovation, scheduled to open in early 2022, aims to reimagine the residential learning experience through three main avenues:

  • Working with faculty to create digital course content;
  • Funding campus initiatives that create digital content for residential students; and
  • Supporting innovations in digital learning and experiments in the application of new learning technologies.

As part of the university's Office of Digital Learning & Innovation, the center will offer instructional design support, digital media production, educational technology consulting, project management, and funding for faculty and departmental projects. It will also work with the BU's Center for Teaching and Learning to "provide end-to-end educational transformation project guidance and support," according to a news announcement.

"In the post-COVID era, the field of teaching and learning is entering an exciting phase of continuous transformation," commented Chris Dellarocas, associate provost for digital learning and innovation and Shipley Professor of Management at the BU Questrom School of Business, in a university news article. For BU, that transformation is a holistic one, spanning all aspects of the students experience at the university and beyond: "The key question is how do we push towards more inclusive and personalized learning, active student engagement, better support for learning communities, tighter integration of learning experiences inside and outside the classroom, and stronger emphasis on developing future-proof 'soft' skills," he said. "The ultimate goal is better preparation of students for the ever-shifting world of work. The creative application of digital technologies can enhance these very human and meaningful educational goals, which collectively serve as our compass in evolving residential learning at BU."

Romy Ruukel, currently director of the Digital Initiatives group in the Office of Digital Learning & Innovation, will be the Shipley Center's inaugural director. In addition to her work helping develop BU's MOOC and Micromasters programs, Ruukel has also served as director of the university's Digital Education Incubator, an initiative that funds and manages pilot projects involving teaching and learning with technology.

"I am thrilled for this opportunity to lead an effort in digital innovation at Boston University, and to collaborate with my colleagues to advance key transformational initiatives as part of the BU 2030 strategic plan to reimagine residential learning on our vibrant campus," she said.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • K12 Tutoring Earns Every Student Succeeds Act Level II Validation

    Personalized online tutoring service K12 Tutoring recently announced that it has received Level II validation underneath the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), according to a news release. The independently validated study provides evidence of K12 Tutoring’s role in creating positive student outcomes through effective academic intervention and research-based solutions.

  • Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Through Creative Campus Development

    Many Southern California college and university campuses are living amidst surging housing costs, driving the need to house more of their populations on campus. Especially for community colleges, the need to support millions of unhoused and housing insecure students has become a prominent issue that lawmakers and institutions alike are trying to solve.

  • PNSI Global Alliance Launches New Quality Assurance Certification

    PNSI Global Alliance, a network of technology integrators and service providers, recently introduced a new Quality Assurance Certification (QAC) for AV service and support, according to a press release. The two-day, interactive workshop QAC course is designed for Certified Solution Providers (CSPs) to provide them with the most up-to-date and advanced quality assurance knowledge available.

  • UT-Austin Breaks Ground on 17-Story Business School

    The University of Texas at Austin recently broke ground on a new, 17-story facility that will serve as the new home for the school’s McCombs School of Business, according to university news. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 10 for Mulva Hall, which will include amenities like classrooms, academic department suites, research centers, faculty offices, the dean’s office, and gathering spaces.

Digital Edition