Call to all Columbia University Students
Let's bridge the gap between EdTech and learning research.
We'll help you design and build innovative learning technologies.
This year's focus:
Designing Learning Experiences
in the Metaverse
In INA 2022, you will identify the needs and challenges of the Designing Learning Experiences in the Metaverse, and address the problem through design solutions.
INA 2022 calls for proposal to solve these pressing problems, by designing innovative Educational Technology.
This year's challenge is brought to you in part by the generous donation from STATTEK International Inc.
And brought to you in part by the support of TC Digital Futures Institute
INA's mission is to provide a pathway to innovative, research-based EdTech, bridging the gap between practice and research in the EdTech field. The 2022 INA calls on students to solve the problem of Designing Learning Experiences in the Metaverse through the design of an EdTech solution, backed by research, and fueled by innovation.
This year's Innovation Award is an online experience blending elements of asynchronous and synchronous, online and live tasks and events. This year we will host the following:
INA is selective and designed to guide teams through the process of refining concepts and product prototypes.
In this program your team will:
At the end of the program, final product prototypes will be judged by a panel of experts in a culminating competition and showcase event.
Innovation is broadly defined as an original idea, product, method, process, or model that can make a positive impact. The TC EdTech Initiative understands that education and technology innovation comes in many forms. The following table demonstrates the possible range of submissions:
Types | Examples |
---|---|
Formats | Digital, Non-digital, Hybrid |
Technologies | Web-apps, games and toys, virtual reality, software, hardware, etc. |
Products | Physical artifacts, designed experiences, models and processes, etc. |
Perspectives | Cognitive, classroom culture, research, data analytics, social justice, etc. |
Audiences | K-12, Higher Ed, Distance, Teachers, Parents, Administrators etc. |
This list above is far from exhaustive, but the takeaway is that students from all subject matters and different technology and technical expertise are encouraged to participate.
Innovation in EdTech is interdisciplinary and collaborative by nature. It takes both technology and domain expertise to do it with depth, and to do it right. As such, the Innovation Award is open to all Columbia University students. Opportunities will be provided to help you find the right team.
See Students for details.
Problems and projects will be wide-ranging. The following are five areas that will be considered.
Category | Description |
---|---|
Innovation | Innovative quality of the problem, approach, and solution |
Relevance | Significance of the addressed topic and problem |
Research | Rationale based upon literature review and supporting research |
Value | Potential impact and effectiveness of a solution |
These categories are not intended to be a definitive measure. Rather, they will be used as a guide to allow fairness and equity in the proceedings.
Projects will be evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of a range of disciplines and perspectives (e.g. TC and Columbia faculty members, Edtech entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, teachers, school administrators, members of the student senate.)
In a recent Education Week article, Susan Fuhrman described how educational technology startups and companies are worryingly disconnected from researchers and academics (Fuhrman, 2017).
Millions of dollars are spent on educational technology products that are ineffective and unproven. These products are often designed without collaboration with researchers and are not aligned with current learning sciences research.
Innovation Award was established through the collaborative efforts of the TC EdTech Initiative and the Communication, Media, Learning Technologies Design Program (CMLTD) as one of TC's first public steps forward in addressing the issue of disparity between EdTech practice and research.
With continued support from the TC Digital Futures Institute and the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology, INA strives to:
By connecting students from different disciplines and research within the TC community, and bridging the gaps between institution and industry, it’s our goal to inspire innovation in the field of applied learning.
TC is committed to the future of educational technology with a special emphasis on sound practices grounded in research. We are proud to be hosting this event with the generous support by the Office of Alumni Relations, the Smith Learning Theater, and many others who have helped INA gain traction and contributed to the spirit of this undertaking.
If you would like to join the growing support for this commitment by becoming a sponsor, please visit our support page and donate to the future of TC Students in EdTech.