Innovative Technology Grant

Overview

A limited amount of funding is available to support small grant proposals (max $5K per project) for early adopter faculty members willing to implement innovative/disruptive technology in their Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026 courses.

Parameters

  • Faculty awardees will implement an innovative/disruptive technology in their Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026 academic course
  • An instructional designer will assist with developing each project using 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Online's tier-based design approach
  • Grant awardees will gather their students' evaluation data and write a report on their experience
  • 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Online will host an "Early Adopter" Community of Practice event during finals week to highlight the experiences of faculty grant awardees
  • Examples of innovative tech projects will be shared with faculty who visit the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ Online lab

Past Grant Awardees

The following projects were funded through the Innovative Technology Grant to explore the use of VR, AI, and other emerging technologies in live courses.

You can flip through the or explore the individual project summaries below.

‌ Virtual Reality
Campaign Simulation (POLS 3610) – Leah Murray

Students ran campaign teams using Meta Horizon Workrooms, role-playing managers, reporters, and voters in persuasive digital simulations.

Disaster Triage (NRSG 4070) – London Draper Lowe

Used Oculus VR to simulate emergency triage scenarios, giving students hands-on experience in mass casualty response.

VR Interior Design (ART 1120) – Kellie Bornhoft

Created 3D interior spaces using Gravity Sketch and received spatial feedback in real-time VR environments.

Experiential VR Journalism (COMM 3780) – Aaron Atkins

Produced 360° video news reports and interactive training modules, including an environmental report at the Great Salt Lake.

‌ Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Scenic Design (THEA 3212) – Cully Long

Used MidJourney to generate AI imagery for mood boards and theatrical concept presentations.

Chemistry Lab Design (CHEM 4630) – Brandon Burnett

Used ChatGPT to design and revise cocrystal synthesis methods, which students then tested in the lab.

AI Language Practice (GERM 1010/2010) – Joscha Klueppel & Kasey Peckenpaugh

Students practiced conversation using AI avatars via Hallo AI, enhancing fluency and confidence.

AI in Teacher Ed (EDUC 3130) – Stephanie Speicher

Integrated tools like QBall, Guardrailz AI, and Character AI to boost classroom engagement and simulate historical dialogue.

‌ Simulation & Analytics
Interactive ICU Walkthrough (NRSG 4080) – Valerie Gooder

Developed a narrated 360° web simulation for ICU admission of TBI patients to reinforce procedures.

Nutrition Simulation – Qi Jin

Used virtual patient scenarios to help students practice diet therapy and assessment decisions.

Labster Microbiology (MLS 3316) – Kendal Beazer & Matt Nicholaou

Explored microbiology procedures and rare assays through interactive Labster simulations.

FaceReader Usability Testing (ENGL 3100) – Chris Scheidler

Used facial recognition software to gather emotional data during instruction testing and UX research.

‌ Microlearning
Mobile Lessons (MSE 3700 & GIS) – Ryan Frazier & Nicole Falkenberg

Delivered short, text-based learning via the Arist platform to boost engagement and retention in systems engineering and GIS courses.

 

91¶ÌÊÓƵ Online manages the Innovative Technology Grant in collaboration with the Division of Online and Continuing Education. Grant awardees receive one-time funds (up to $5,000) for university-approved technology, along with full instructional design support at no additional cost. For more information about this grant, please email instructionaldesign@weber.edu.

For other funding opportunities, contact ARCC.