KSU’s School Of Instructional Technology Promotes Innovative Teaching And Learning

Press release from Kennesaw State University:

Mar 15, 2021

KSU’s School of Instructional Technology promotes innovative teaching and learning

KENNESAW, Ga.
(Mar 15, 2021) — Kennesaw State University has established a School of Instructional Technology and Innovation, building on the Bagwell College of Education’s reputation as a leader in teaching educators to empower learning with technology.

Elevated from a department within the Bagwell College, the School of Instructional
Technology and Innovation offers three academic degree programs – master’s, specialist
and doctoral degrees in instructional technology – and graduate certificates/endorsements
in personalized learning and online teaching. In addition, the school is home to three
service units: iTeach, which provides consulting services and professional development training to school
districts; the Teacher Resource and Activity Corner (TRAC) that helps education students, P-12 educators and community members plan and
prepare effective and creative classroom instruction; and a team of technology professionals
who support Bagwell’s faculty, staff and students in using technology for teaching
and learning.

“The Bagwell College of Education boasts a wealth of expertise in instructional technology,
and P-12 educators can benefit from their knowledge and assistance now more than ever,”
said Kathy Schwaig, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Through this
school, Kennesaw State is assisting teachers and preparing graduates to teach innovatively
in our digital age.”

Along with offering high-demand degree programs, the School of Instructional Technology
and Innovation will be closely aligned with Kennesaw State moving forward as a research-driven,
R2-designated university. The school will collaborate with other colleges on innovative
and relevant research in the area of technology and computing – with particular interest
in partnering with the College of Computing and Software Engineering on technology-related grant opportunities.

“The instructional technology department, and now school, is a source of pride for
the Bagwell College of Education and KSU,” said Adrian Epps, interim BCOE dean. “The
combination of our degree programs, faculty expertise and community outreach initiatives
stands out in enhancing the University and P-12 school systems, which in turn helps
build stronger communities.”

Establishing the school continues KSU’s reputation as a leader in instructional technology,
which began in the 1990s with the Bagwell College developing InTech, a pilot professional
development program for teachers and technology that the General Assembly made a requirement
for all Georgia educators. Kennesaw State continues to set the pace, as the BCOE’s
Traci Redish recently led the statewide task force to develop the standards for all
University System of Georgia instructional technology programs.

In addition, the school is home to iTeach – one of the University’s most recognized
units, providing technology-related professional learning, consulting and services
to approximately 275 schools and/or districts in Georgia and other states. The iTeach
MakerBus travels the state providing robotics, coding, engineering and maker experiences
to Georgia students. The school also launched its Innovation Lab, with a bold vision
to serve as Bagwell’s incubator for educational innovation – where ideas are born
and tested.

“The hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff have earned us an excellent
reputation within and beyond Georgia, and now the goal is to become a national leader
in technology-enhanced teaching, learning, and research,” said Redish, the director
of the School of Instructional Technology and Innovation. “The evolution of our department
to a School of Instructional Technology and Innovation is a logical next step into
the future and offers many benefits and opportunities for the Bagwell College and
the University.”

– Paul Floeckher

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.