Sinclair Community College Unveils Innovation Lab: Pioneering New Frontiers in Digital Education and Research

Sinclair Community College is proud to announce the grand opening of its groundbreaking Innovation Lab. This state-of-the-art facility serves as a hub for technology-empowered learning, discovery, and research, strengthening Sinclair’s efforts to remain at the forefront of innovative digital education. With over 100 online programs of study, Sinclair enrolls more than 20,000 online students annually and represents one of the largest eLearning operations among Ohio’s colleges and universities.

The new lab, located inside Building 4, Room 341 at Sinclair’s Dayton Campus, offers a collaborative environment where faculty, staff, and students can explore emerging technologies in higher education. The lab’s overarching goals are to:

Research: Tackle “unsolvable” problems in higher education.
Practice: Identify, fund, and scale emerging practices in selected program areas.
Disseminate: Share practices, thought leadership, and generate dialogue with the Sinclair and Dayton communities.

“The Innovation Lab represents Sinclair’s ongoing commitment to provide our campus community with the most innovative and effective learning experiences and approaches,” said Dr. Christina Amato, Dean of the Sinclair Community College eLearning Division. “This collaborative research and exploration hub empowers us to continue pioneering in the constantly evolving landscape of digital education.”

The Innovation Lab’s inaugural focus is on “A Year with AI, Human-Centered Learning Design, and Gaming,” reflecting Sinclair’s commitment to advancing these critical areas. This focus was inspired by the establishment of the Sinclair Community College Artificial Intelligence Team in June 2023, which conducted extensive research and development to position Sinclair as a leader in innovative, ethical, and secure AI utilization.

“Our inaugural focus on these core areas perfectly aligns with the lab’s mission,” added Dr. Chris Prokes, Program Director of Strategy and Innovation. “Most importantly, it ensures Sinclair stays closely connected to the evolving needs of the region, its learners, employers, and communities.”

The Innovation Lab’s grand opening event on September 25, 2024, featured an AI workshop, a gamified learning Q&A, an introduction to human-centered design, and tech demonstrations.

Background on Sinclair’s Artificial Intelligence Team

Sinclair’s Artificial Intelligence Team, established by eLearning and the Center for Teaching and Learning in June 2023, combined faculty and experts from various disciplines within the division of Instruction. Through six months of research and 900 hours of development, the team is positioning Sinclair at the forefront of innovative, ethical, and secure AI utilization.

The team conducted extensive research to understand the potential benefits and risks of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and its integration into higher education. Recognizing the rapid evolution of AI, the team developed six key recommendations:

Invest in AI Training and Professional Development for College Employees
Establish & Communicate Clear Academic Guidelines and Policies
Develop Curriculum and Learning Opportunities for Students
Invest in AI Technology
Develop Privacy and Security Policies & Protocol
Engage Key Stakeholders

The mission of Sinclair’s eLearning Division is to lead Sinclair in the most advanced, scalable eLearning curriculum design, faculty and student support utilizing technology and innovation, continuous improvement processes, and teamwork.

For more information about Sinclair’s eLearning Division, visit Sinclair.edu/eLearning.

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