Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
CITL TechTrendsetters Grant: Redefining Classroom Boundaries
The TechTrendsetters Grant, led by the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) at Tennessee Tech University, is designed to boost faculty engagement and proficiency in incorporating emerging technologies, tools, and digital literacy into their curricula. This initiative strives to elevate educational practices and equip students for a digital-first world through innovative teaching methodologies.
Purpose
The purpose of this grant is to seamlessly integrate advanced technological tools and digital literacy concepts into existing curricula by enhancing faculty and student interactions with cutting-edge digital resources. It will focus on the development and integration of digital technologies and literacy into educational programs at Tennessee Tech University.
Overview
- » Expectations and Budget Summary
Expectations and Budget Summary
This grant seeks to equip faculty with the resources and training needed to successfully design a course that seamlessly integrates technology and digital learning. The overall budget for each grantee is $8,000. A break-down of the cost can be found below.
OLC Online Teaching Certification Program
From June 10 to August 18, participants will engage in an internationally recognized online teaching certification program, with a participation fee of $2,100 each. The cost of the program is covered through the grant support. Along with the online teaching course, the certification includes three elective courses.
Extra Salary Support
Faculty will be provided with summer salary support and extra pay for fall totaling $2,900 for active involvement in the certification program and the Digital Learning Community, which includes weekly interactions with designers, CITL staff, and the OLC training course instructors.
Technology Start-up
Up to $3,000 is available per participant to address specific technological needs for integrating digital tools and strategies into their courses.
- » Examples of Deliverables
Examples of Deliverables
Below is a list of example deliverables per discipline. Please note, this list is for example purposes and proposals do not have to match the listings below.
Agriculture: Implementation of precision farming techniques with GPS and drone technology.
Art: Augmented Reality (AR) for creating interactive installations and digital sculpting complemented by 3D printing.
Biology: Bioinformatics tools for genetic sequencing and data analysis instruction.
Chemistry: Virtual reality simulations of chemical reactions and laboratory experiments.
Engineering: Integration of software tools for virtual circuit building, testing, and analysis.
Exercise Science: Application of wearable technology to analyze and enhance physical training programs.
Geography: GIS applications for spatial data analysis, visualization, and climate simulation models.
History: Virtual Reality (VR) for historical reenactments and digital archiving to preserve historical documents.
Human Ecology: Development of courses in smart textiles, wearable technology, and digital apps for nutrition and lifestyle management.
Math: Development of online platforms for complex mathematical problem visualization and solution.
Music: Industry-standard music production software training and digital music notation and theory applications.
Nursing: Virtual patient simulation software for clinical decision-making training.
Physics: Computational tools for modeling physical processes and engaging in real-world problem-solving. - » Application Process
Application Process
Eligibility
Open to all faculty at Tennessee Tech University seeking to enhance their digital teaching capabilities.
Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit detailed proposals outlining their planned projects, expected outcomes, and budget justifications.
Review Process
Proposals will be evaluated by a CITL panel focusing on innovation, the impact on student learning, and alignment with priority areas in digital technologies and literacy.
Application Questions
2025-2026
- » 2025 Recipients
2025 Recipients
To be Announced
- » 2025-2026 Timeline
2025-2026 Timeline
Jan. 16, 2025: Applications Open
April 15, 2025: Application Deadline
May 6, 2025: Grant Kick-Off
Summer 2025: OLC Online Teaching Cohort
Fall 2025: Course Roll-out and Preparation
Spring 2025: Complete OLC electives, dissemination
2024-2025
- » 2024 Recipients
2024 Recipients
Dr. Andy Pardue, Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Holly Anthony, Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. Leslie Suters, Curriculum & Instruction
Dr. Shelia Hurley, Nursing
Dr. Joshua Hauser, Music
Dr. Stacy Brown, Mathematics
Dr. Evan Hart, Earth Sciences
Dr. Derek Cashman, Chemistry
Dr. Abdul Momin, Agriculture
Dr. Samantha Allen, Environmental Sciences
- » 2024-2025 Timeline
2024-2025 Timeline
The overall grant cycle begins with the application opening on April 22. Grantees will be expected to attend the kick-off meeting on May 21st and an individual meeting with their assigned Instructional Designer prior to the OLC Cohort start date on June 10th. All course materials will need to be completed by December 18th. During the spring semester, grantees will have the opportunity to share their grant project with campus and continue completing their OLC Online Teaching Certification. The detailed timeline is below. Upon being selected as a TechTrendsetter, grantees will be given a detailed schedule for the remainder of the grant cycle.
April 22: Application Opens
May 8: Application Closes
May 17: Decision and grantee selection
May 21: Trendsetter Kick-Off Meeting
June 10-August 18: OLC Cohort
December 18: Course Materials and Redesign completed.
Spring 2025: Dissemination and OLC wrap-up
