Page 4 - OIT Progress Report: 2024 Edition

Su p p o r t i n g Academic Engagement & Ac c e s s i b i l i t y
Over the past year, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) has driven several key initiatives to enhance academic technology at SMU. These advancements reflect our commitment to innovation, accessibility, and improving the educational experience for students and faculty alike.
SMU’s commitment to digital accessibility was prominently showcased through the 3x3x3 initiative, a framework presented at the EDUCAUSE conference by Associate Chief Information Officer Jason Warner, Ed.D. and Director of Online Course Production, Innovation and Accessibility, Jennifer Culver, Ph.D. This initiative emphasizes three key areas: creating accessible content, providing accessible tools, and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
By focusing on these three pillars, SMU is working to ensure that all digital resources are accessible to everyone, reflecting our dedication to inclusivity and equal access to educational opportunities. We introduced the Pope Tech application within Canvas, which allows faculty to quickly see and resolve any accessibility issues with their course content. Standards, manuals, and other helpful information on creating the most inclusive and engaging materials are also
being produced and distributed to create a campuswide culture of accessibility awareness.
Online Instructional Designer Prerna Munoth and the rest of the Online Production Services (OPS) team have played a critical role
in enhancing student engagement by development of interactive online courses. Their work leverages advanced technologies to create immersive and interactive learning experiences beyond traditional online education methods. By integrating multimedia elements, interactive quizzes, and real-time feedback, these courses are
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