In early July 2017, Learning Innovation (then CIT/Online Duke) conceived of Duke NextEd Festival, a month-long series of public events at Duke to take place during the month of October focused on themes of teaching and learning innovation, online learning, digital learning and academic R&D.
In addition to generating energy around these topics, Learning Innovation wanted to use the attention of participants in these events to launch a set of new initiatives in digital education and innovation.
The festival featured over 40 events created with nearly 30 partner organizations attended by 400+ students, faculty, staff and guests.
NextEd Festival was intended in part as an experimental alternative to the CIT Showcase, our organization’s long-running one-day conference on teaching and learning. NextEd’s series of shorter events in multiple locations resulted in nearly double the average CIT Showcase attendance, as well as more opportunities to collaborate with partners at Duke and in the local community.