LTS: Empowering Education through Technology Solutions
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By embracing cutting-edge technologies and promoting accessibility, LTS aims to empower both educators and learners alike in their pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence.
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![A learning technology technician gives support to an instructor](https://learning.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1032/2023/08/Computer-Learning-half.png)
Last fall marked a significant turning point for Learning Technology Solutions (LTS) as it rejoined the Technology Solutions department after separating from CATE. With new leadership and a renewed vision, the team is committed to being a partner for faculty, staff, and students, fostering the purposeful application and integration of innovative technologies to enhance teaching, learning, and research.
Our core mission is to facilitate the meaningful use of new technologies to improve teaching, learning, and research outcomes. Collaborating with colleges, departments, faculty, and staff, LTS will now provide consulting, design, and training for specialized educational technologies. We will also support active learning spaces and offer general assistance with all teaching and learning applications.
Embracing its core values, LTS is committed to promoting a pedagogy-driven approach. This means ensuring that the integration of digital tools and technologies is aligned with specific methodologies and goals. By doing so, we will seek to avoid any technology that could hinder the objectives of teaching and learning. Instead, we will provide faculty development and support for utilizing digital technologies and innovative educational practices, with a goal to build, showcase, and share resource materials that will enrich the digital teaching and learning landscape.
Connected learning is another vital aspect of our philosophy. Our team actively fosters a Community of Practice, encouraging faculty to engage in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Through new ITLC sub-committees and collaborative groups faculty and staff will discuss the relevance of various digital applications, learning spaces, and new technology as they relate to pedagogical practices. This approach fosters a collaborative atmosphere and promotes the exchange of ideas and insights.
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![UIC students work in a classroom equipped with large presentation screens around the room.](https://learning.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1032/2023/08/UIC-classroom-half.jpg)
Innovation is at the heart of LTS’s commitment to academic excellence. Our team understands that true progress can only be achieved through experimentation and exploration. Therefore, we must cultivate a trusting environment where faculty and students can fearlessly experiment with tools, learning from both successes and failures. A Design Thinking approach drives our iterative innovation process. Faculty will be encouraged to share their digital teaching experiences, evolving into reflective practitioners who continuously improve their teaching methods.
Equitable access lies at the core of LTS’s mission. We believe that technology should be a bridge to reach all learners, and thus, the team diligently works to eliminate access barriers. LTS actively raises awareness about accessible educational applications and content, providing Assistive Technology support to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students. The principles of Universal Design for Instruction are consistently applied to create an inclusive learning environment.
LTS will continue to offer a range of services that align with our mission and values.
These services include:
- Learning Spaces Technology Design, Support, and Consultation
- Conference Room Technology Design and Support
- Equipment Checkout (aiming to phase out)
- Lecture Capture Support (Echo 360 and Panopto)
- Archiving of Teaching and Learning Content
- Training and Documentation in Active Learning Spaces and Video Conferencing
- Teaching and Learning Application Workshop/Training/Toolkits
- Running Teaching and Learning Application Pilots
- Providing data Analytics and Dashboards for Teaching and Learning Applications
- Administration of LMS
- One-on-one consultations on learning application support
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Faculty, staff, and students can rely on LTS to provide innovative solutions and ongoing support for their educational endeavors.
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![a special keyboard makes online learning accessible to some students](https://learning.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1032/2023/08/keyboard-access-half.jpg)
As the new academic year approaches, LTS is geared up for an array of thrilling projects. Starting with the full implementation of Ally and Eye-Able in our Learning Management System (LMS), we are committed to enhancing accessible functionality for both students and faculty within their courses. This move ensures a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Another exciting integration we are working on is Badgr, which will bring micro-credentialing and gamification to the LMS. Instructors keen on incorporating these features into their courses will now have the tools to recognize and incentivize student achievements effectively.
To further enhance the alignment of learning outcomes with assessments, we are promoting Goals in Outcomes Assessment within Blackboard Original and Ultra. This will help streamline the evaluation process and provide valuable insights into student progress in courses.
In the pursuit of exploring innovative teaching and learning tools, we will be running a pilot with social annotations applications Perusall and Hypothes.is. All instructors are encouraged to participate. At the conclusion of the pilot, we hope to adopt one or both applications into our teaching and learning ecosystem, enriching the collaborative learning experience.
Moreover, to support our faculty’s knowledge and growth in using these applications effectively, LTS will be hosting events and workshops. These sessions will serve as a platform for faculty members to delve into the applications’ potential and discover new ways to enhance their teaching practices.
With these ambitious projects on the horizon, LTS is dedicated to elevating the educational experience and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and promoting accessibility, we aim to empower both educators and learners alike in their pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence.
With a renewed commitment to our mission and values, LTS is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing teaching and learning experiences through the effective use of technology. Faculty, staff, and students can rely on us to provide innovative solutions and ongoing support for their educational endeavors. As we continue to evolve, LTS remains dedicated to shaping the future of education through the thoughtful integration of new technologies.