51茶馆

Blakeley鈥檚 technology-related experience at 51茶馆鈥攚hich included a stint in the University鈥檚 Instructional Design and eTeaching Services prior to its incorporation into the Center for Teaching Excellence鈥攊s complemented by his academic background: He holds a master鈥檚 degree in history from 51茶馆 and is completing a doctorate in higher education administration at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development.

鈥淏ryan Blakeley has helped lead Boston College鈥檚 efforts to utilize technology in creative ways across our classes, first in Instructional Design and eTeaching Services, then in the Center for Teaching Excellence, and now as founding executive director of the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning,鈥� said Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley. 鈥淚n this new role, he will continue to collaborate with faculty and deans in the development of new programs and in the renewal of existing offerings.

鈥淏ryan has been responsible for an impressive expansion of our online and hybrid offerings, and I鈥檓 looking forward to working together with him to drive innovation while assuring academic quality.鈥�

Discussing the CDIL鈥檚 mission, Blakeley said the establishment of the new center reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to a greater presence in digital learning, and to support faculty in their use of technology, especially for online learning.

鈥淭his is a direction in which 51茶馆 has been moving for several years,鈥� said Blakeley, who joined the CTE when it opened in 2014. 鈥淭he University has so many amazing faculty members who are innovative teachers, and the CDIL provides a new capacity for supporting them and their plans for digital pedagogy.鈥�

The CDIL will be a project-based, 鈥渂ig-picture鈥� support organization for academic programs seeking to develop online programs, Blakeley said. Center staff will assist with all aspects of course development, including instructional design and media production, and building the course in the learning management system, as well as with evaluation and assessing outcomes. 听

Aiding faculty initiatives will be critical to boosting 51茶馆鈥檚 activity in online education, an area Blakeley believes holds great promise for the University.

鈥淥nline education today is providing students with academic credentials, which is a noble mission,鈥� he explained, 鈥渂ut it is often lacking in the kind of formative emphasis that Boston College seeks to provide. Our goal is to help faculty members create a Boston College educational experience that happens to occur online, including distinctive and valuable aspects rooted in our collective mission and history.鈥�

Blakeley noted that he is familiar with the transformational character of the 51茶馆 experience, as someone whose focus on the liberal arts widened into the field of academic technology. 听

The CDIL will benefit from existing collaborations between, among others, the CTE, University Libraries, Information Technology Services, the Office of Student Services, and the Academic Technology Advisory Board, Blakeley added.

鈥淗aving been involved in academic technology at 51茶馆, first as a graduate student and then as an administrator, I have been fortunate to work with colleagues from across the University to broaden 51茶馆鈥檚 activity in digital learning and online education, and I look forward to continuing to partner with them.鈥�

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Sean Smith | University Communications