2021 Year in Review

Looking back and looking forward… it’s been quite a year!

In February of 2021, a brand new unit within the Information Technology Division was established. The new IT Innovation and Research group was born out of a desire to “reach higher” by leading, coordinating, and facilitating the discovery and exploration of emerging technologies and innovative solutions that lead to digital transformation (DX) across Information Technology at Grand Valley State University.

Specifically, our team collaborates with key stakeholders, and strives to catalyze transformation, serve as a change agent, and endeavors to build a robust portfolio of solutions, services, and resources that are purposefully designed to:

• Further academic and research initiatives
• Facilitate quality digital education
• Enhance the learner experience
• Encourage a culture of innovation
• Build the next generation of teaching and learning spaces
• Support the University’s mission and strategic priorities

This post captures a few of the noteworthy highlights accomplished by the Innovation and Research team in 2021.

In the News

• Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, contributed to an article in HigherEdAV Media entitled: “Learning Spaces Lessons Learned”, highlighting GVSU’s work in creating the next generation of learning spaces through active learning on December 17, 2021.
• Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, presented with Kim Kenward, Director eLearning Technologies, on the topic: “Active Learning and Next Generation Classrooms” at the ETOM Fall 2021 Meet Up, held on November 17, 2021.
• Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, presented with Kelley Senkowski, Instructional Technology Project Specialist, on the topic: “Best Practices in Quality Online Teaching and Course Evaluation” at the ETOM Fall 2021 Virtual Conference, held on November 5, 2021.
• Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, contributed to an article in HigherEdAV Media entitled: “The Sport behind Esports | FLEXspace“, highlighting GVSU’s emerging Esports program on October 6, 2021.
• Lily Snyder, GVSU Alumnus and former virtual reality software COO, highlighted the Technology Showcase and the Emerging Technology Fund in a “Let’s talk about college.” post on LinkedIn in May, 2021.
• Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, published an article in CIOReview entitled: “Pioneering the Future Through Technology Innovation” in April, 2021.

Top 10 Highlights

1. An “innovation and research ecosystem” was created, mapping out our work to forge new paths as we adapt, discover big ideas, create new value streams, and bring them to scale.
   
2. A new space was implemented on the 3^rd floor of the Consumers Energy (John Russell Leadership Center) called the X>STUDIO. This  Space designed to accelerate and incubate ideas, explore future experimental faculty/student-focused technologies, and encourage exploration and experimentation in the design of the next generation of transformational teaching and learning environments. (X = eXplore, eXperience, eXperiment)
3. Hunter Bridwell joined IT Innovation and Research on August 21 as Emerging Technologies Coordinator.
4. In the past year, over 20 technologies have been researched and evaluated through the work of the X>STUDIO and Technology Showcase. (More than 50 technologies have been exhibited in the showcase since opening in August of 2013.) Noteworthy vendors include: Coursera (digital credentials, industry partnerships, professional certificates), Transact Campus (mobile credentials, door access, and contactless transactions), CLIPr (AI and machine learning powered video delivery), Owl Pro (360 video conferencing), Neat, Poly, and Logitech (Zoom Room videoconferencing).
5. Joined a beta of Class (formerly Class for Zoom), to evaluate opportunities to extend the capabilities of “vanilla” Zoom to provide enhanced breakout, grid, and synchronous teaching.
6. The I+R team has collaborated with GVSU’s School of Computing Senior Project capstone students enrolled in CIS 467 on building an “Extended Reality Gallery” (2019) as well as a “Smart Start – Personalized Classroom Configuration Solution” (2021).
7. Partnered with Facilities Services and Recreation & Wellness, and the Division of Student Affairs, the I+R team collaborated to establish GVSU’s first Esports venue called the Laker Esports Center. (Soft opening in November, and grand opening on January 18.)
8. Partnered with Facilities Services, Office of the Provost, Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, eLearning Technologies, IT Services, and the Registrar, the I+R team collaborated to establish 3 state-of-the-art active learning classrooms that also support dual mode or hybrid delivery.
9. Work has begun to reimagine the Technology Showcase furniture and space design and potential expansion, in collaboration with Facilities Services and Custer Office Furniture. Further, new technologies are planned to enhance the showcase’s exhibits in digital fabrication, digital production, and STEM activities.
10. Collaboration has begun to establish a digital media center with student production and creation capabilities in concert with eLearning Technologies and University Libraries.

DISCOVER     —     EXPLORE      —     TRANSFORM