Georgia State University’s Digital Learners to Leaders (DLL) program has won a 2019 Campus Technology Impact Award from Campus Technology, recognizing higher education institutions that are making an extraordinary impact with technology on campus, doing important work in service of teaching, learning, administration and operations.
The award, given in the Education Futurist category by the digital publication, recognizes DLL’s focus on developing the next generation of digital problem solvers by providing students from all backgrounds, including those often underrepresented in the technology industry, opportunities to increase their technical experience while developing valuable professional skills.
Throughout the program, students from across majors and professionals from across industries work together to solve problems using the “Internet of Things,” the expanding network of everyday objects with digital capabilities.
“At Georgia State, we are focused on preparing all students for the workplace of the future and on enabling them with the digital skills they will need to succeed,” said Phil Ventimiglia, chief innovation officer at Georgia State. “This award recognizes how the DLL program accomplishes this by allowing students to learn these skills through real-life projects and peer collaboration.”
In a workshop format, DLL participants learn skills such as coding, computational thinking, entrepreneurship, project management and communication from industry professionals. Participants also build solutions using digital technologies that range from microcontrollers to single-board computers, 3D printers, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics and drones.
A summer camp for middle and high school students, taught with the help of Georgia State students, extends this learning pipeline to K-12 students.
“The future of digital leadership is not only dependent on exposure to technology tools but also on access to diverse professional insight and encouragement to do relevant project work with a positive impact. Through these elements, students become excited about the possibilities. I am so appreciative of all the professionals who have given time and valuable insight and experience to our students through this program,” said Tiffany Green-Abdullah, assistant director of learning community development at the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and coordinator of the DLL program.
The DLL program will welcome its third round of Georgia State student participants this fall.
To learn more about DLL, visit https://innovation.gsu.edu/dll/.
For more news about innovation in teaching and learning, visit https://provost.gsu.edu/category/teaching-and-learning/.
— Cassie Wilcox, Instructional Innovation and Technology