As COVID-19 reshaped the education landscape, the College Innovation Network (CIN) provided higher education institutions the opportunity to work with each other to navigate a rapidly changing and increasingly technology-enabled future — with the ultimate goal of improving the student learning experience. The grant-funded consortium was housed within WGU Labs, providing member institutions access to experts and research insights. As the funding for CIN has sunset, we look forward to a future of continued growth and impact throughout our College Innovation Network Advisory Board.
CIN devoted itself to solving one of the biggest issues facing higher education — how to make sense of mounting uncertainty in tech-enabled learning. The network recognized that “the problem” was not — and still isn’t — static, nor is any one solution “the fix.” Instead, member institutions were committed to consistent and ongoing exploration and solving of critical problems that restrict the learning experience.
From the very beginning, pioneering partners demonstrated a level of trust and commitment rarely observed in educational alliances. CIN reached and sustained key milestones in large part because of the shared values of community, innovation, and responsiveness among members.
Symbiotic EdTech vendor-institution relationships streamline the path to innovation and progress. Through regular Partnership in Practice (PiP) calls and in-person events, faculty professional development, and student workshops we ignited productive dialogue and established collaborative channels for continuous shared knowledge between key stakeholders.
Through a carefully designed needs assessment strategy and commitment to empirical evidence CIN pinpointed member institutions’ urgent and impactful needs, then introduced effective EdTech solutions. Members assisted in gathering critical data and sharing insights to quantify the impact and ensure investments by educational institutions yield tangible benefits.
The extensive EdTech Survey series, furthered this collective exploration, engaging over 33,000 participants and broadcasting findings through strategic communications efforts.
The initiative’s findings and insights have been widely disseminated through 64 media features, including feature articles and newsletters, and 32 sessions at major educational conferences, amplifying their impact on the broader educational discourse.
The foundational work of CIN will continue through the CIN Advisory Board, a forward-thinking coalition dedicated to continuous learning and evolution. The Board will build on the robust foundation of data, research, insights, and networks established by CIN to fuel a future where institutions keep evolving.
We will continue to offer timely insights about the state of affairs within higher education, with a special focus on innovation, belonging, and technology, via the EdTech Survey Series.
