2023 Year in Review

Looking back and looking forward… it’s been another amazing year! (See also 2022 Year in Review and 2021 Year in Review)

The IT Innovation and Research team was established in February of 2021 with a focus 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, the I+R 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 2023.

NOTEWORTHY and IN THE NEWS (Publications and Presentations)

2023 – Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, presented virtually with Jeremy Nelson, Senior Director of XR Initiative, University of Michigan on a panel discussion entitled “Immersive Learning and the Built Environment” for a Steelcase Workspace Futures event at Victory Commons One in Dallas, TX. December 7, 2023.
2023 – Jacob Fortman, Emerging Technology Research Analyst, co-authored an article in the journal of Formative Design in Learning entitled: “Formative Learning Design in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis, Synthesis, and Critique of Learning Design and Delivery Practices“. November 28, 2023.
2023 – IT Innovation and Research was featured in a GVNext article on GVSU’s futureEDlab ribbon cutting and open house. November 8, 2023.
2023 – Jacob Fortman, Emerging Technology Research Analyst, was cited in an EdTech Magazine article entitled: “Schools Can Protect Student Privacy in Augmented, Virtual and Extended Reality Tools“. November 3, 2023.
2023 – Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, presented I+R’s innovation ecosystem at Krakow University in Poland. October 15 – 19, 2023.
2023 – Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, presented a poster at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference entitled: “Leveraging Innovation and Research to Pioneer the Future of Education through an Era of Complexity“. October 9 – 12, 2023.
2023 – Ty Rizer, Emerging Technologies Developer, IT Innovation and Research, presented a poster at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference entitled: “Exploring the Future of Teaching and Learning in the Technology Showcase“. October 9 – 12, 2023.
2023 – Jacob Fortman, Emerging Technology Research Analyst, IT Innovation and Research, presented a poster at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference entitled: “VR Learning Design Compendium: Design Artifacts to Inspire VR Education“. October 9 – 12, 2023.
2023 – Hunter Bridwell, Emerging Technologies Coordinator, IT Innovation and Research, presented a poster at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference entitled: “Student-Built Solutions to Address University Needs“. October 9 – 12, 2023.
2023 – IT Innovation and Research facilitated GVSU’s inspired innovation activities at Tech Week Grand Rapids and Confluence Festival, which was featured in a GVNext article. September 18 – 21, 2023.
2023 – Jacob Fortman, Emerging Technology Research Analyst, published research on XR in a special issue of the International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning. August 21, 2023.
2023 – Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, provided an interview with Brian Cohen on WOODTV8 evening news, highlighting GVSU’s participation in the Confluence Festival. July 21, 2023.
2023 – Ty Rizer, Emerging Technologies Developer, IT Innovation and Research, contributed to a GVNext article featuring an immersive learning application for the GVSU Simulation Center entitled: “Tech collaboration between campus departments will enhance nursing education“. July 20, 2023.
2023 – IT Innovation and Research was highlighted for supporting work in collaborating on two initiatives (Grand Path and Laker Learning Futures) in an article in Grand Valley Magazine entitled: “Reach Higher Showcase identifies innovations in learning, teaching“. July 20, 2023.
2023 – Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, provided an interview with Brian Cohen on WGVU Public Media’s Shelley Irwin Show, highlighting GVSU’s participation in the Confluence Festival. June 22, 2023.
2023 – IT Innovation and Research presented at the Education Technology Organization of Michigan (ETOM) Summer Retreat on the topic: “Extended Reality Powers Immersive Learning Experiences at GVSU“. June 8, 2023.
2023 – Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, provided an interview WWJ New Radio 950 Detroit about new Apple Vision Pro spatial computing headsets, immersive learning, and the opportunity of high impact educational practices. June 7, 2023.
2023 – Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, provided an interview for a WOODTV8 segment on “Exploring the new Apple Vision Pro”. June 6, 2023.
2023 – Ty Rizer, Emerging Technologies Developer and Hunter Bridwell, Emerging Technologies Coordinator were highlighted for their work in support of the GVSU Simulation Center’s immersive Microsoft HoloLens operation room application in an interview with Katie Branch on WGVU Public Media’s Shelley Irwin Show. June 2, 2023.
2023 – IT Innovation and Research was highlighted for supporting work in collaborating on two initiatives (Grand Path and Laker Learning Futures) in a video feature on WOODTV8 entitled: “Technology initiatives look to transform learning at GVSU“. April 22, 2023.
2023 – Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, participated on a panel with The University of Texas System, Utah State University, and Vanguard University for an Inside Higher Ed webinar facilitated by Logitech on “IT Leadership Panel: Exploring 5 Key Trends in Higher Education“. March 21, 2023.

RESEARCH

I+R was awarded an Extended Reality Education Research Assistant Special Project Graduate Assistantship for the 2023-24 academic year.
Visits were held to the following institutions to explore and expand GVSU’s strategic vision for innovation and emerging technologies:
I+R facilitated GVSU’s participation in the EDUCAUSE Faculty and Student Technology Experience Surveys sent to all faculty and undergrads in November, 2023.
Research was conducted on Virtual Reality (VR) with T4 scholars as part of REP4.
IT Division meeting featured innovation research begin facilitated by Jacob Fortman.
Digital inking solutions were investigated with the Faculty Futures Team.
Project Zoom Mobile research began with Neat Board and DTEN D7 evaluation.
I+R collaborated with Steelcase to evaluate opportunities to combine Zoom, Logitech, and purposeful spaces for hybrid work.
I+R contributed to thought leadership for the Blue Dot Lab initiative with Eric Kunnen chairing a Blue Dot Lab Tiger Team subcommittee focused on business, community, entrepreneurship, design studios, co-working, and research.
Facilitation was provided to investigate and research Transact Campus with key campus stakeholders to review opportunities to modernize GVSU campus IDs with mobile credentials. This work, resulted in a project to transition Aramark’s point of sale and campus dining meal plans to the Transact platform which was completed in August 2023.

INNOVATION in the TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE

The showcase has engaged with nearly 13,500+ visitors since January 2023.
New technologies were acquired and put on exhibit in the showcase including:
- Manus Prime 3 Haptics Gloves, XREAL AR Glasses, bHaptics TactGlove, Magic Leap 2, Singer 9960, Brother PE535, and AxiDraw.
In collaboration with GVSU Facilities Services, Custer Office Furniture, and Steelcase, the showcase space expanded into the Exhibition Space in the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons.
Visitors from Krakow University of Economics in Poland visited the showcase.
Showcase students facilitated a workshop entitled: “Creating 3D Models for Beginners”.
I+R highlighted innovation, emerging technologies, and showcases spaces at New Faculty Orientation.
REP4 T4 scholars visited the showcase to experience extended reality.
175 5th graders from Sparta visited the showcase.
The showcase engaged with visitors during GVSU’s Science Olympiad event.
3D printing projects included custom prints for research in weight lifting stabilization in Movement Science and custom Biology Lab equipment.
The showcase participated in Campus Life Night.
The Atomic Object TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE celebrated 10 years of EDUCATION | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION.

INNOVATION in the X>STUDIO

Laker Learning Futures Initiative and Faculty Futures Team – A partnership and collaboration was established with an Office of the President Presidential Fellow, and IT Innovation and Research to facilitate a Laker Learning Futures Initiative which serves to uncover teaching and learning innovation opportunities through a Faculty Futures Team.
Grand Path Project – An interdisciplinary partnership and collaboration was established with the Office of the President, IT Innovation and Research, Department of Visual & Media Arts, and Applied Computing Institute to leverage the X>STUDIO and the I+R team for XR application design and development. In addition, the I+R team facilitated and coordinated a variety of technology upgrades for the John G. Russell Consumers Energy Leadership Center spaces as part of GVSU’s futurEDlab initiative.
The X>STUDIO engaged with a variety of thought leaders, businesses, and community organizations, including: Vizidef, Moonshine Labs, The Right Place, TechWeek GR, Confluence, StreamSOAR, MindSpring, Steelcase, Bror Saxberg, etc.
A VR Call for Proposals program was launched, which resulted in 2 projects being selected: “Experiencing the Cape Coast Castle and the Assin Manso Last Bath” and a “VR Courtroom”.
Student Technology and Innovation Guild (STING) completed an operating room AR experience with the Microsoft HoloLens for the GVSU Simulation Center and an Occupational Therapy virtual reality application for the Meta Quest 2.
A pilot was conducted using Uptale and 360 video with T4 Scholars.

ADDITIONAL I+R NOTEWORTHY HIGHLIGHTS

Ty Rizer joined I+R team as an adjunct Emerging Technologies Developer on May 1, focusing on facilitating the creation of innovative solutions and emerging technologies such as extended reality (virtual, augmented, and mixed) applications that enhance the campus experience at GVSU.
Joseph Van Harken joined the I+R team as an Innovator in Residence on November 20, focus on leveraging emerging technology-based, turnkey and custom created applications and solutions such as augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (XR), along with artificial intelligence (AI) to create a portfolio of innovative immersive resources that are purposefully designed to: further academic and research initiatives, facilitate quality digital education, enhance the learner experience, build the next generation of teaching and learning spaces, and support the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
Eric Kunnen attended the signing of $30 million toward GVSU’s Blue Dot Lab Technology Hub.
Jacob Fortman and Hunter Bridwell’s work was highlighted in a REP4 national convening video.

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE COMMUNITY OF INNOVATION AND RESEARCH

Interested in sharing an idea to: eXplore, eXperience, or eXperiment in the X>STUDIO?
Excited about lowering the barriers for exponential impact?
Focused on accelerating change and creating a future-ready campus?
Wanting to get plugged into the innovation pipeline?
Desiring to explore an idea to add value and transform the university yet need a catalyst?
Looking for opportunities to reduce friction, remove inefficiencies, solve challenges, and improve the education journey at GVSU?

Don’t venture forward alone, join us! Reach out to Eric Kunnen, Senior Director, IT Innovation and Research, and let’s partner together in a journey to imagine, reach higher, and create the next-generation of education. Connect with us on: WEB and X.

GVSU Innovate

Transforming education through IT Innovation + Research at Grand Valley State University…

2023 Year in Review