Communication and Collaboration

Communication and collaboration are vital to a thriving educational environment, and the Center for Academic Innovation is here to support and foster that collaborative spirit. The student's success is always at the heart of what we all do, so if you know a way to support that, let us help move it forward!

In-house Resources:

SYNK: Stuff You Need to Know

A monthly newsletter sharing new ideas, providing tips, and answering questions about teaching and learning in all modalities, but especially online. If you are interested in submitting something for publication, please contact us at SYNK Ideas, and we will get back to you right away!

Food4Thought

A professional discussion group that allows faculty and staff to share ideas, explore possibilities, and announce new projects. Open to anyone, we meet once a month just to have some interesting conversations. If you can’t make a meeting but would like to see what was discussed, please download our Food4Thought Minutes.

CAI Goals

To foster communication and collaboration, the Center for Academic Innovation seeks to:  

  • create opportunities to develop mutually beneficial relationships between faculty and support staff that will cultivate student success

  • ensure open communication regarding opportunities for academic development and innovation

  • support the campus ecosystem of Montana Tech by fostering innovative approaches to teaching and learning that encourage and support awareness of culture, inclusivity, and growth in a sustainable way.

  • encourage and support innovative approaches to teaching and learning and support the culture of excellence of Montana Tech.
CAI Actions

More specifically, the Center can:

  • Assist with or host Communities of Learning or Practice,

  • Recognize individuals for exemplary work in teaching, research, or just supporting student success,

  • Host meetings between individuals and units in our Innovation Conference Room (Engineering Hall 205) or via Zoom.

  • Assist with customized training sessions on technology, pedagogy/andragogy/heutagogy, course design, best practices, etc., especially if requested in such a way that encourages cross-campus participation.