Support the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab

Transforming Teaching and Learning

In today’s digital world, we need to explore how technology can transform teaching and learning. The College of Education is doing just that by creating the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL). In this dynamic new space, we will conduct collaborative research focused on digital literacies and learning with culturally and linguistically diverse learners. DIALL will also serve as a cutting-edge instructional space for COE faculty, staff, students, and community members to explore the possibilities new technologies bring to the classroom and beyond.

DIALL will reach far beyond the UA campus with its impact—taking technology into Tucson area schools and holding community-based events and professional development opportunities for teachers, educators, students, and community members. You can help us create this vision for the future of learning, starting at the University of Arizona.

HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY ENHANCE AND TRANSFORM LEARNING?

While reading textbooks, writing reports, and listening to lectures may always be staples of the classroom, more and more, technology is being used to create dynamic and hands-on learning experiences. Imagine students recording podcasts and creating videos to illustrate what they’ve learned. Imagine teachers using interactive, multi-media approaches to engage students in new concepts. DIALL is a place where learning approaches are responsive and adaptable to the constantly changing landscape of education.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF LEARNING LOOK LIKE?

DIALL will be a multi-functional space with movable fixtures for maximum flexibility. Our open lab space will be equipped with laptops and monitors as well as a video conference room for meetings and distance discussion. In addition, there will be a recording studio for audio and music production (such as podcasting, interviewing, and sound mixing) and a video recording studio. DIALL will also store mobile carts and backpacks stocked with technology like tablets, audio-video recording equipment, and robotics equipment for use in classrooms and community spaces.

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RESEARCH

We will use this space to conduct innovative and collaborative research related to culturally and linguistically diverse learners and digital learning. These studies will take place both in the digital lab space and by bringing mobile technology into schools and community-based organizations. This research will increase our understanding of how to best use technology in learning environments and expand teaching possibilities.

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FACULTY & STUDENTS

DIALL will provide a cutting-edge instructional space for COE faculty and students to explore and learn about digital literacies and digital learning. Faculty and students will learn new instructional approaches for effectively integrating technology into their courses. This space will also be used for faculty and graduate students to conduct their research and showcase their projects. As we prepare the teachers of today and tomorrow, we want them to be learning new approaches and ways to connect to students in a changing digital world.

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COMMUNITY

We want to be a resource to the Tucson community and its school districts. Teachers need first-hand experience with digital tools and research-based strategies for effectively integrating technology in the classroom. We will use our digital lab space for community-based events and for ongoing professional development for teachers, educators, and community members. DIALL will showcase digital tools and the teaching/learning approaches and practices that surround them. We will also provide underserved students with access to innovative digital literacies instruction and mobile technologies within their school context to deepen and broaden their learning experiences.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

  • PHYSICAL SPACE: Renovations to the future space of DIALL on the first floor of the College of Education building have already begun. With philanthropic support we will transform this now-empty room into an innovative learning and research lab and fully equip it with cutting-edge technology.
  • TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT: Your support will help us equip this space with the most up-to-date technology. We will need laptops, computer monitors, audio and video recording software, video conferencing technology, tablets, cameras, microphones, VR headsets, and more.
  • MOBILE CARTS: Help us take technology to the learners. These carts will make it possible to work remotely in classrooms across the community. These carts will be outfitted with tablets, a mobile recording studio, audio-video recording equipment, robotics equipment, and coding stations.
  • STAFF SUPPORT: You can help us enhance the use of all this technology through staff support. A coordinator will manage day-to-day scheduling and operations and provide orientation for faculty who wish to bring their classes into the space. They will coordinate open-lab hours, maintain a schedule of the facilities, and provide technical support for using the space. This person will also perform routine updates to the equipment and service, resupply the stations, mobile carts and backpacks. All of these aspects are

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