MSU seeks new ideas aimed at improving the digital learning experience. Incorporating digital strategies to support pedagogy can enhance students’ learning experiences and offer efficiencies in assessment and analysis. Many digital learning innovations impacting institutional initiatives at scale often start small. Innovations may spring from novel pedagogical approaches in individual courses, as collaborative experiments across disciplines, or the result of student feedback and needs analysis. We recognize the value of providing support and resources to change the student experience for the better. MSU's Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation is committed to facilitating new ideas and announces the following call for proposals for the Catalyst Innovation Program.
Catalyst Innovation Program
The Catalyst Innovation Program seeks to fund creative and innovative uses of tools, technology, and pedagogical approaches up to $10,000 for the purposes of allowing experimentation in spaces with the potential to enhance student learning experiences.
Please note that these funds are intended to fund software, technology, and/or services but are not able to support salary lines, including faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students. We are especially interested in proposals that include one or more of the following criteria:
Learning
- Demonstrate learning, conceptual understanding, or increased content knowledge
Inclusivity and Accessibility
- Increase access, as defined as “providing the means for all qualified, motivated students to complete courses, degrees, or programs in their disciplines of choice (Online Learning Consortium, MSU Learning Design Strategy.)” For example, reduced or zero cost to students beyond tuition, universally designed experiences, and the like
- Contribute to more equitable and inclusive digital learning experiences and environments
- Experiences that are universally designed and accessible
Feedback and Adaptivity
- Increase formative feedback (assessment for learning)
- Provide learning analytics to educators to enable adaptive or personalized pedagogy
- Provide mechanisms for student input and collaboration
- Increase student engagement as defined by your discipline. For example as increased participation, collaboration, peer learning, and so on
Proposals
Proposals should include a description of the innovation and idea, implementation approach, evaluation and assessment plan, and budget. Catalyst Innovation Program Application (Closed)
Spring Timeline
- Preparing for Catalyst - Information Session: April 5th, 2023
- The Call for Proposals opens: April 7th, 2023
- Proposals are due: 5:00 pm EST, April 21st, 2023
- Awards will be announced: May 5th, 2023
- Once awarded, funding is available through June 30, 2023. Preference will be given towards projects that can spend award before the June 30th deadline.
