Innovative Grants & Teaching and Learning Commons

Thank you all for your recent submissions for the 2021 Fall Innovation Grants! I'm excited and pleased to announce the recipients of those awards and the equipment we have ordered:

• Phil VanDiver - Video production with a Lightboard (mic, camera setup)
• Tara Jacoby - Creating nursing virtual reality simulations using Ricoh Theta 360-cameras with RoundMe and VR Headsets. 
• Dr. Wayne Bass - Google Earth via headsets, Oculus Rift setup and a Form Lab Resin Printer. 
• Angela Kerr - Makerbot PLA printers and a 3D scanner
• Multiple requests  - An additional Oculus Rift setup for students and faculty to explore virtual reality applications.
  
• Zach Petrea - Podcasting studio

There is a wide variety of technology that will be purchased and utilized for the Spring semester! In fact, we have so much equipment coming that we have decided to transform the IDC into a "Teaching and Learning Commons" whereas, all faculty, staff and students can come collaborate and use the technology. We are creating an informal learning environment that fosters innovation and collaboration through the use of instructional technologies. This has been a vision of mine since beginning my career here at Heartland and I'm so excited for the opportunity to create an inclusive environment where ideas can be shared and collaborated on.

The Teaching and Learning Commons (TLC) will also offer tours to classes and a calendar reservation system in case you would like to reserve the space to design, create or work with other faculty on large projects. In this newly modified space, Jewel and I will also be moving our offices to this location so we can collaborate with you on instructional technology uses. 

Last, this space will also be home to all of the equipment purchased (from above). While the equipment is being purchased for some specific purposes, we also want to share it with other faculty who may be considering something similar. In addition, we are offering 3D printed services for everyone with a charge-back system. More information to come on that!

The IDC is currently getting a makeover with new paint and some new furnishings in the next couple of weeks. You'll soon see Jewel and I in this space preparing it for it's debut and we will be having an open house in the Spring to share all of the excitement. 

I'll be sharing pictures, videos and other announcements if you want to follow me on Twitter @annacatterson or use the hashtag #heartlandtlc. 

Take care, 

Anna