What’s next for 2016–17

In the coming year, we plan to promote a culture of innovation in teaching and learning at Duke through the following:

Support schools, departments, and academic programs in experimenting with new educational models for their curricular and strategic goals

  • Implement PebblePad ePortfolio platform in collaboration with the VP Academic Affairs, Trinity College and other stakeholders
  • Meet with A&S department chairs, DUSs, Deans and others to align strategies and better understand new and emerging goals
  • Help Duke STEM students by implementing proven teaching practices as part of the COMPASS/HHMI grant
  • Explore online opportunities for developing certificate programs in Data Science, computer programming or other areas
  • Experiments with reaching new audiences for added revenue, branding or enrollment
  • Offer additional programs or services (ex: Fellowships, workshops, events) that map to Duke department, school or program goals for improving student learning and/or enhancing teaching excellence at Duke

Increase the number of faculty exploring innovative teaching strategies, including creating new digital content or online learning activities

  • Launch several open online courses currently in development 
  • Create new open online courses
  • Complete and launch Global Online Education projects (currently in development)
  • Carry out several small “walk before you run” small projects
  • Connect experienced online faculty with their departments and other faculty considering online development
  • Produce the annual CIT Showcase event as a venue for faculty to learn about and share new or innovative teaching strategies and activities
  • Provide Jump Start grants to support faculty implementing active learning strategies in their classroom
  • Provide opportunities for faculty to connect with each other through programs like Visit a Classroom and/or new Fellowships

Advance curricular and program goals with easy ways to reuse digital content created by Duke faculty

  • Experiment with allowing Duke affiliated people to get free certificates in Duke MOOCs
  • Complete modules for supporting Chemistry students
  • Finish conversion of Coursera courses to on-demand platform
  • Improve Java and Business Analytics Specializations
  • Collaborate with Duke Libraries on pilot project to help faculty learn about and use Open Educational Resources (OER)
  • With Duke Alumni Ed, create short courses using previously developed content
  • Support faculty conducting educational research using data from open online courses

Improve the Duke learning technology environment to better support teaching and learning

  • Upgrade Sakai to version 11
  • Review the Duke learning technology ecosystem
  • Pilot and evaluate additional tools such as PlayPosit (in-video quizzing tool)
  • Carry out Duke Extend pilot projects to explore the use of Open edX to support non-Coursera open online courses
  • Continue exploring adaptive learning technologies
  • Provide opportunities for faculty to explore experimental technologies in their teaching through programs like the Duke Digital Initiative  
  • Introduce new quick reference and resource sheets on frequently requested topics and technologies for Duke faculty via our websites