Ira Gooding on Transforming Digital Learning at Johns Hopkins University

Ira Gooding discusses his impactful roles at Johns Hopkins University, promoting innovative digital learning and collaboration while navigating future trends in education.

Exploring Digital Education

Ira Gooding has made waves in the world of digital education, establishing himself as a respected figure within the academic landscape.

As the special adviser for digital initiatives in the provost’s office at Johns Hopkins University and the assistant director for open education at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, his contributions are crucial.

Ira’s Key Responsibilities

In his role at the provost’s office, Ira focuses on three primary goals: fostering innovative teaching methods using digital technology, encouraging collaboration across various disciplines, and managing partnerships with Coursera.

One major project that embodies these goals is the Digital Education and Learning Technology Acceleration (DELTA) initiative.

This program redistributes a portion of the revenue from Coursera, providing grants of up to $75,000 each to support innovative projects in educational technology.

So far, the initiative has awarded more than $2.6 million to 41 different teams working on diverse ventures—including virtual and augmented reality, generative AI, and clinical simulations.

The DELTA Teaching Forum, which takes place every year, offers a collaborative space for faculty and staff to share ideas, spark creativity, and strive for ongoing improvements in educational quality.

Mark your calendars: the next forum is set for May 1.

At the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Ira leads a proactive team within the Center for Teaching and Learning.

They specialize in creating open educational resources (OER) and learning experiences that cater to independent learners as well as public health professionals who may not be pursuing traditional degrees.

His team has successfully developed over 80 MOOC courses and is currently working on a centralized repository for open educational resources at JHU.

This initiative aims to eliminate administrative hurdles, providing streamlined access to valuable resources throughout the university.

Looking Forward: Shifts in Online Education

Ira reflects on the evolving landscape of education, particularly in light of the students whose formative years were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As these individuals enter higher education, their expectations and preferences for digital learning may differ starkly from those of previous cohorts, prompting universities to reconsider how best to meet their needs.

Furthermore, he has been contemplating the role of generative artificial intelligence in shaping open educational resources.

During a recent lecture by David Wiley, the notion emerged that generative AI might enhance educational accessibility even more than traditional OER by revolutionizing how educational content is created and adapted.

While Ira recognizes the uncertainty surrounding this idea, he remains intrigued by the potential future relationship between generative AI and OER.

Advice for Future Leaders in Digital Education

For those in the early to mid-stages of their careers aiming for leadership positions in digital or online education, Ira offers valuable advice: focus on identifying and overcoming bureaucratic roadblocks within your institutions.

Establishing yourself as a catalyst for change rather than an impediment can significantly advance innovation.

While certain structural challenges are vital for ensuring quality and managing risk, much of the resistance in higher education stems from a tendency to resist change.

Aspiring leaders should hone in on the obstacles that hinder progress while being cautious of the dangers of becoming gatekeepers in their roles.

Regularly evaluating existing assumptions and assessing the effectiveness of current strategies will empower them to discover and apply more effective solutions for their institutions.

Source: Inside Higher Ed