Michigan State University’s newest commitment to student success is an innovation accelerator.
The Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology will focus on student success by creating and accelerating new ways to collaborate, learn, research and deliver instruction, said Jeff Grabill, associate provost for teaching, learning and technology and director of the Hub.
“MSU regularly develops evidence-based approaches to teaching and student learning,” Grabill said. “But what happens in one area of the university isn’t necessarily known to other areas. The Hub will both generate and identify powerful innovations and ensure those benefit more students. This is vital because we’re committed to preparing leaders capable of lifelong learning and life-changing contributions. The world’s to-do list is very long.”
The Hub will work with faculty, students and staff to reinvent what it means to learn at MSU, transcending conventional university boundaries, said MSU Provost June Pierce Youatt.
“The Hub’s core staff includes experts on learning strategies, educational methods and the latest technology to foster and incubate innovation,” Youatt said. “We look forward to the Hub fostering collaborations with researchers both on and off campus to advance and conduct design-based and translational research.”
The Hub will be a partner for the entire campus community, working with all colleges and programs. It will facilitate the passion and inventiveness of students, faculty, staff and stakeholders both inside and outside of MSU to:
• Identify and develop new learning innovations
• Leverage research, scholarship and learning analytics to inform programs
• Effectively implement new approaches to learning technologies
To start, the Hub will focus on projects currently operating at MSU – projects like the Lab for the Education and Advancement in Digital Research, a joint venture between the Department of History, Department of Anthropology, MATRIX and the College of Social Science. LEADR is a space for “flipped teaching,” in which classmates collaborate on assignments. Grabill and Hub staff will analyze why LEADR is working and what the rest of campus can learn from it.
But the Hub isn’t just another teaching and learning center, Grabill said.
“Teaching and learning centers have served their purpose, but mostly as support centers for faculty,” he said. “We are focused on better understanding and facilitating student learning. That is how we will be a catalyst of learning innovation for the entire university.”
The Hub is part of the integrated student success initiative overseen by the Office of the Provost, which includes MSU Neighborhoods, the Student Success Transformation Program and MSU’s collaboration with 10 other university partners in the University Innovation Alliance.
The Hub is currently looking for opportunities to partner, and interested students and faculty should contact Grabill.