Working with Emerging Technologies and Learning Tools

Innovation doesn't happen by accident. Making informed decisions about when and how to implement the "next big thing" in educational technology requires approaching "all the little things" strategically, with a careful eye and a thoughtful perspective. By placing small bets and evaluating a wide variety of new technologies quickly and methodically, we can create new opportunities to improve teaching and learning while opening new opportunities for discussion and collaboration with our partners throughout the university community. We are Penn State's LearnFirst initiative—join us to experience our process for intentional innovation.

OUTCOMES: Understand the value behind dedicating resources to evaluating emerging technology * Get hands-on experience with new technologies and practice evaluation skills * Understand how evaluation and dissemination can create new opportunities for faculty engagement

The next generation digital learning environment (NGDLE) will be a combination of best-of-breed teaching and learning tools rather than a single monolithic product. Choosing and implementing new learning tools can often involve many groups with different skill sets including instructional design, faculty, students, content development, and IT. Learn how to start thinking about ways to structure organizational relationships and come to agreement on a repeatable process for piloting, choosing, and implementing new learning tools based on pedagogical and other goals.

OUTCOMES: Understand a potential framework for structuring learning tool pilots * Explore considerations and implications for collaborating across teams around new learning tools * Learn how to turn a pilot into operational reality