The department was recognized for inclusive education.
Texas Tech University's eLearning & Academic Partnerships was recognized today (June 25) with a Blackboard 2020 Catalyst Award. The Catalyst Awards recognize and honor innovation and excellence in the Blackboard global community of practice, where millions of educators and learners work every day to redefine what is possible when leveraging technology.
The Inclusive Education category, in which eLearning was honored, recognizes institutions whose methods have ensured their pedagogy, content, technology and educational services are fully inclusive and supportive of all learners with disabilities.
"At Texas Tech University, accessibility matters," said Justin Louder, associate vice provost of eLearning & Academic Partnerships and interim superintendent of TTU K-12. "Access to quality online courses is a right every student deserves, regardless of physical challenges they may have. We have moved from a reactive approach toward online accessibility to a proactive one. We have incorporated accessibility strategies into every aspect of our eLearning instructional design process. From the very first consultation with a faculty member, accessibility is an integral part of every conversation."
Catalyst Award winners are selected by a cross-functional team of Blackboard experts. Honorees from across the globe will be recognized during BbWorld, Blackboard's premier annual global conference, which will be held virtually July 21-22.
"We're proud to recognize this year's Blackboard Catalyst Award winners for their commitment to improving the educational experience for all learners through EdTech and sharing these insights with the broader community," said Lee Blakemore, chief client officer and president of global markets at Blackboard. "Clients like these inspire us to accelerate innovation that drives student success, and we're proud to be a part of their story."
Texas Tech's eLearning & Academic Partnerships offers more than 80 fully online degree programs, available at nine regional teaching sites across Texas.
To learn more about distance education at Texas Tech, visit the eLearning & Academic Partnerships website.
