Graphic courtesy of: Kristi LargeThe Office of Instructional Innovation is hosting the 2018 Ideation Event on Friday, November 2, from 2–5 p.m. in Schoonover 450 on the Athens Campus.
The 2018 Ideation Event will take place on Friday, November 2, from 2–5 p.m. in Schoonover 450 on the Athens Campus. This three-hour idea-generating gathering is designed to help shape ideas for the future of teaching and learning at OHIO, and for participants to potentially receive support from the Academic Innovation Accelerator (AIA). The event will serve as a kick-off to the third year of the AIA.
Attendance is open to anyone who wants to explore innovative academic ideas, including faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
Speakers this year include Chaden Djalali, executive vice president and provost; Linda Rice, professor and chair of the English Department; and Brad Cohen, senior vice provost for instructional innovation.
“One of the goals of the AIA was to reignite passion for academic innovation and instill optimism that the University would actively support pursuit of innovative ideas,” said Cohen. “The ideas that have come forward in the past two years and the feedback from participants confirm that the AIA is working as intended. The Ideation Event is an important convening, an opportunity to come together as a community to creatively address some of our most intractable challenges and dare to set audacious and achievable goals that advance OHIO's top priorities.”
The AIA aims to advance academic innovation that can be widely shared across the University by providing a pipeline process to quickly bring these ideas to reality. It provides resources, services, expert advice, and financial assistance during stages of early development. Attendees are encouraged to think about concepts big and small: at the course, curricular, and institutional level.
OII strives to support every idea that is proposed; over the past two years, 47 proposals have explored ideas such as microcredentialing, creating multidisciplinary programs, Digital Humanities, place-based pedagogy, open dialogues, improving and changing student engagement, and more. Project progress and updates are visible on the OII website.
This year’s event will open at 2 p.m. with speakers discussing the AIA’s third iteration. After the featured speakers, there will be time set aside for attendees to discuss their concepts with colleagues, instructional designers, project managers, leadership, and other OHIO staff dedicated to the AIA initiative. Attendees are welcome to come any time between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
“One of the unique features of the AIA is that it has a relatively low threshold for entry,” said Rice. “Applicants with project initiatives only need write a proposal of 500 words. We want to have conversations early in the process and work with applicants along the way, rather than have them go through an arduous process that is more like traditional grant writing. We are really after big ideas, new ways of thinking, and collaboration that adds value to the student experience at Ohio University.”
Those interested need to RSVP by Wednesday, October 24. Attendees should come to the event prepared to share their ideas, receive peer feedback, and take a step toward implementing their vision.
Individuals who are interested but don’t have a specific idea are welcome to come for inspiration. Those unable to attend are still invited to RSVP so their ideas can be shared; they also are encouraged to follow up with one of the members of the AIA team.
The Office of Instructional Innovation (OII) serves as a catalyst to spark bold experimentation and sustainable discovery of innovative instructional models that fulfill the University’s promise of a transformative educational experience. OII provides a variety of services to faculty, staff, and students in support of academic units and online programs, as well as to advance initiatives to further the institution’s mission. Visit www.ohio.edu/instructional-innovation for more information.