Georgia State University’s Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Online Education (CETLOE) has received a $48,000 award from State Farm to expand development of online learning communities focused on helping students obtain technology and career skills through project-based learning and mentorship.
The award will support professionally-led virtual events, including a bootcamp on cloud-based programming and a series of workshops aimed at helping students identify and leverage career strengths. The award also funds extension of CETLOE’s Digital Learners to Leaders program.
The Digital Learners to Leaders program offers undergraduate coursework and events designed to inspire students, particularly those from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the technology industry, to strengthen their digital skills through problem solving, exposure to emerging technologies and guidance from a diverse set of technology professionals across Atlanta’s education, business, government and non-profit communities. In addition to undergraduate coursework, an online summer camp for middle and high school students introduces coding, digital creation and esports.
“As more student interactions have gone online due to the pandemic, CETLOE continues to adapt spaces for student community and learning. We’re excited to partner across campus and across industry to extend additional online offerings to help students connect and grow their aspirations and agency as problem solvers, leaders and technologists,” said Jackie Slaton, manager of learning community development at CETLOE.
“State Farm is committed to bridging the technology divide, and to do so we embrace partnering with organizations promoting advancements and broadening access to technology,” said Victor Montgomery, technology manager at State Farm.
— Cassie Wilcox