Early as Acting Director at what was then the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access, but would soon become the Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology (OET), I was asked by the Acting Under Secretary for Education and Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch to set the vision that would “define the future state of education technology” for the Institution. Through a collaboration with Frankly, Green + Webb, we created a comprehensive digital learning and outreach strategy for the newly formed office, aiming to broaden the Smithsonian's digital offerings and expand its reach to educators and learners nationwide. Our vision encompassed enhancing existing platforms like the Smithsonian Learning Lab, developing new content distribution approaches, and exploring alternative business models to ensure the Institution's resources were accessible and impactful in classrooms everywhere. The vision emphasized the importance of user-centered research and collaboration with educators and technology partners to build compelling and engaging digital learning experiences.
Central to this strategy was the concept of "One Smithsonian," which promotes a unified approach to leveraging the Institution's vast educational resources. We recognized that teachers and students needed more than just access to digitized collections; they needed tools and services that would enable them to integrate these resources seamlessly into their teaching and learning. This vision led to exploring new content creation strategies, developing more agile and responsive digital platforms, and expanding partnerships to reach educators where they were already working, rather than trying to drive them to our own website. We aimed to position OET as a strategic partner in the national education landscape, helping the Smithsonian fulfill its mission of inspiring learning and discovery through its digital resources.
This work was about transforming the Smithsonian into a digitally fluent educational institution that actively sought to meet the needs of educators and learners. We aimed to create a sustainable and scalable digital learning model that leveraged the Smithsonian's unique resources and expertise to empower educators and enrich students' learning experiences. Our focus on collaboration, user-centered design, and strategic partnerships laid the groundwork for the OET to become a leader in museum education and digital technology.
Organization: Smithsonian Institution
Audiences: Smithsonian senior leadership, musum educators, OET stakeholders, Smithsonian corporate and philanthropic funders
Roles: Concept, project director
Read the full Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology Strategic Vision →
