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Digital First: Enhancing Teaching, Learning and Research

May 23, 2012

Digital First: Enhancing Teaching, Learning and Research

Walk across any major college campus, and you can see that the educational landscape is changing. Mobile access and technology have become essential to the success of teaching, learning, and research. Digital First focuses first and foremost on making The Ohio State University a global leader in the delivery of 21st century higher education. The program has four immediate focus areas, including: Teaching and Research; Healthcare; Cross-University Enhancement; and Enriching the Student Experience.

Building on semester conversion-inspired curriculum innovations and in response to growing interest from faculty and students, Ohio State recently unveiled plans to collaborate with Apple to transform teaching, learning, and research at Ohio State. The Digital First initiative will support technology enrichment to transform teaching and learning throughout the university.

“This is a very exciting partnership and puts Ohio State at the forefront of revolutionary employment of technology in education, ultimately this will alter how we conceive of and deliver the academic curriculum – through the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences,” said Joseph E. Steinmetz, Vice Provost and Executive Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Digital First initiative will:

  • create and provide faculty, staff, and students with online and in classroom education to develop engaging digital learning content through tools such as iTunes U and iBooks Author
  • expand classroom wireless capacity in the academic corridor
  • develop and provide easy access to a shared set of recommended educational applications and resources
  • expand upon numerous mobile technology programs in progress throughout the university
  • enhance the student experience from enrollment to graduation and beyond

Digital First is Ohio State’s plan to support and foster a mobile learning environment, and the use of tablets (such as iPad) will help enable this university-wide transformation. Apple will provide classroom technology and instructional design to support the university. Ohio State sees far-reaching potential benefits throughout the university – including research, administration, and patient care.

Faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences have already started using technology to enhance learning experiences for students. Within Ohio State’s chemistry department, Professor Matthew Stoltzfus is incorporating the “flipped classroom model” delivered via iTunes U. Students can view lectures outside of class, opening up opportunities for better dialogue and collaborative problem solving during class.

Over the coming months, cross-institutional advisory teams of faculty, staff, deans and students will be collaborating to ensure that we make the most of this transformational moment.

Summer courses include:

  • iPads in Higher Ed
  • iPad Navigation Basics
  • iPad Productivity
  • Teaching and Learning with iPad
  • iPad Café – Learning Community
  • iBooks Author
  • iTunes U

Registration opens June 11.

Find out more about Digital First at digitalfirst.osu.edu.