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THECB expands digital-learning work: digital-summit keynotes, course sharing growth, OER grants and a new student subcommittee
Summary
THECB digital learning staff briefed LTAC on multiple initiatives: a Digital Learning Summit in February focused on AI and innovation, expansion of course sharing from 10 to 20 community colleges, upcoming OER grant awards, and the launch of a student subcommittee to advise the committee on digital-learning issues.
Kyla and THECB digital-learning staff briefed the Learning Technology Advisory Committee on a package of initiatives addressing generative AI, course sharing, open educational resources (OER) and student engagement.
Digital Learning Summit and webinars: Kyla described a Digital Learning Summit scheduled for Feb. 11—2, centered on adapting to innovation (including AI). Keynote speakers announced include Dr. Brian Alexander (Georgetown), Nikhut Ghazi (vice provost for Learning Innovation and Digital Education at Duke University), Todd McCleese (founder, humanskills.ai) and C. Edward Watson (vice president for digital innovation at AAC&U and co-author of Teaching with AI). The summit will offer in-person, virtual and watch-party options and will include initial findings from focus-group research on AI and open education.
Course sharing and OER: THECB staff said course-sharing, launched as a pilot with 10 community colleges last year, has expanded to 20 institutions with a plan to add up to five more two-year colleges this academic year; a future phase would invite four-year institutions. Staff said work is underway to improve technology infrastructure and to develop OER for STEM courses to address affordability.
OER grants and Open Ed Week: Kyla said the fourth round of legislatively funded OER grants will have awardees announced imminently; the grants focus on redesigning high-need courses with OER to reduce student cost. THECB will hold community events for Open Education Week (March 3—).
AI initiatives and faculty/student engagement: staff outlined a spring webinar series (AI Empowered) and a facilitated professional-learning network around AI and teaching that will combine Coursera-curated content and synchronous cohort sessions. Kyla said a faculty survey and additional research projects are planned; the LTAC research work group will help shape the faculty-survey instruments and distribution strategy to achieve a strong Texas sample that can be compared to national data.
Student subcommittee: Kyla announced the student subcommittee held its first meeting Dec. 5 and identified priorities including institutional AI use, support for workforce skills, and technology accessibility. Esmeralda (student chair) was noted as chairing that group; staff encouraged institutions that had not yet nominated a student representative to do so.
Ending: THECB asked committee members to recommend IT and institutional experts for a new IT subcommittee, to nominate students for the student subcommittee, and to register for the Digital Learning Summit and related webinars.
