Leading IT magazine honors Duke Digital Initiative
August 23, 2007
The Duke Digital Initiative (DDI) was named one of the world’s most significant information technology projects of the past year, according to CIO Magazine’s 20th annual CIO 100 awards competition.
Duke University was one of only nine educational or nonprofit institutions of the 100 organizations honored in a ceremony last weekend in Carlsbad, Calif.
CIO Magazine said it received entries ranging from private nonprofits to “global powerhouses” such as AT&T, Hilton Hotels and Wells Fargo. To make the cut, organizations had to show they could “create new value using IT and execute their project well but also that they did so in uncommon, innovative ways.”
Duke’s award specifically cited one initiative under the DDI, which promoted widespread use of “the Apple iPod” as a teaching tool “that contained Duke-specific content that addressed dorm life, campus activities, community events, health and safety related contact information, and details about freshmen residence halls….
“Students can download course materials to study at anytime, while faculty members use the portable devices to reinforce course content and collect feedback. Duke has also deployed digital video, tablet PCs and other technologies to develop class projects and distribute lectures and course materials.”
Tracy Futhey, Duke Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, said the award provided strong external recognition that DDI is delivering on its goals of promoting innovative and effective teaching and using technology in support of curriculum enhancement.
DDI is a partnership between Duke’s Center for Instructional Technology and the Office of Information Technology and is funded by the Office of the Provost.