Higher Education Leaders Launch Collaborative Forum to Advance Teaching and Learning Technology

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With the support of 11 U.S. colleges and universities, Sony Electronics Inc. has developed the Future Learning Collaborative, an initiative designed to foster open and candid dialogue among higher education institutions about the role of technology in supporting teaching and learning. Collaborative members are comprised of faculty and administration leaders from a broad range of schools throughout the country who are working together with Sony designers and researchers to develop new classroom technologies and enable more effective teaching methods – with the ultimate goal of creating a deeper and more immersive learning experience for students.

"Our top priority is improving every aspect of instruction, which necessitates exploring the most effective uses of technology in the classroom," said Edward Gomes, senior associate dean at Duke University and a charter member of the Collaborative. "By working closely with Sony and our colleagues, we have created an environment that addresses our common frustrations, encourages honest feedback about the development of classroom technologies, and enables educators and administrators to come together and share best practices that will shape the future of higher education."

The Collaborative – a cross-section of public, private, two- and four-year institutions – has met regularly since November 2017 for working sessions, focus groups and technology demonstrations facilitated by Entangled Studios. In each meeting, members share ideas, ask questions and participate in candid discussions about teaching and learning technologies and pedagogical strategies. In the coming months, the Collaborative will begin regularly sharing its findings with the broader higher education community. 

"Transforming innovative ideas into meaningful institutional change can be a complex, time-intensive process – one that often takes a back seat to the day-to-day issues on campus," said Stacy Morrone, associate vice president for Learning Technologies at Indiana University. "Building on our long-standing partnership with Sony, the work of the Collaborative not only helps us keep focus on the bigger picture – it also enables us to learn from the successes and pain points of institutions across the country."

This initiative is the latest result of Sony's decades-long commitment to providing creative products and solutions that directly support the mission and vision of higher education institutions. The company's work with colleges and universities ranges from manufacturing products for classrooms and presentations to developing virtual and augmented reality activations for admissions to leading the design and system integration of new campus facilities. Sony's approach is based on gathering feedback from practitioners and learning an industry's unique challenges, then developing solutions that meet customers' evolving needs in fields as diverse as broadcast, production, cinematography, healthcare, theater and sports, along with higher education.

"At a publicly funded urban university like ours, it is critical to ensure that technology solutions and pedagogical strategies are not only affordable, but also serve the diverse needs of our student body," said Dr. Brian Beatty, associate vice president for Academic Affairs Operations at San Francisco State University. "Sony and our peers in the Collaborative have been invaluable thought partners as we engage faculty, staff and students alike in designing and implementing tools that promote engaged and active learning."

Members of the Collaborative include:

• American University
• Arizona State University
• Dartmouth College
• Duke University
• Houston Community College
• Indiana University
• Montclair State University
• Northwestern University
• San Francisco State University
• University of California San Diego
• University of Central Florida

"The work of the Collaborative is rooted in Sony's fundamental philosophy of designing with purpose and developing technology that reflects the experiences and concerns of practitioners across a range of fields," said Satoshi Kanemura, head of B2B of America, Sony Electronics. "Higher education's mission and complexity present a unique opportunity for our team. Having the support of institutions through their investment of time, and their willingness to share perspectives, enables us to develop solutions that are both actionable and relevant to meet our mutual goal of student success."

For more information, please visit sony.com/collaborative

About the Future Learning Collaborative
The Future Learning Collaborative brings design thinking and institutional insight to bear on the development of classroom technologies that enable better outcomes and deeper learning. With support from Sony Electronics, the Collaborative facilitates dialogue among practitioners from a diverse group of 11 colleges and universities, guided by Sony's deep experience in education technology and rich legacy of design with purpose. Together, institutional leaders and Sony designers and researchers share insights, surface best practices, and source perspectives that reflect the realities, challenges, and opportunities of education technology.

About Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Corporation (Japan), one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K Ultra HD TVs. Visit www.sony.com/news for more information.

SOURCE Sony Electronics