Launched in 2020, the Digital Gardener Initiative empowers faculty to cultivate their "digital gardens" – personalized collections of digital tools and technologies that enhance student learning experiences and outcomes. As the metaphor suggests, Faculty Fellows learn to tend their digital gardens thoughtfully, selecting the right tools for specific educational objectives rather than adopting technology for its own sake.
Kelly Scholl
LT Faculty Fellow Programs Director
UITS Learning Technologies, Indiana University
Celebrations are in order: The Digital Gardener Initiative (DGI), led by IU Associate Professor Justin Hodgson, has reached a significant milestone: 250 Faculty Fellows are now part of this innovative community. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in the university's commitment to enhancing digital fluency and furthering teaching and learning with technology across its campuses.
We're immensely proud of reaching this 250 Fellow milestone. Each Fellow represents a faculty member who has committed to exploring how technology can meaningfully enhance their teaching and their students' learning experiences.
The growth of the DGI community reflects its success in creating a supportive environment where faculty can experiment with emerging technologies, including generative AI tools. Through workshops, summits, and collaborative sessions, Fellows develop the skills to integrate digital tools effectively and in ways that make sense for their teaching pedagogy and curriculum.
The program's effectiveness is evident in the experiences of Fellows like Dr. Terri Hebert from IU South Bend, who integrated technology into her education courses to prepare future teachers with tech-driven instructional methods. Similarly, Dr. Kevin Jones from IU Columbus has leveraged digital tools to enhance student engagement in his business courses, demonstrating the program's impact across diverse disciplines.
How you can join this exciting community
A highlight of the DGI community is the annual Digital Gardener Summit, which brings together Fellows from all IU campuses. The inaugural summit in 2023 featured discussions on digital fluency, AI in teaching, and accessible course design, while the 2024 summit focused on Generative AI essentials. These gatherings foster collaboration among educators who might otherwise never connect across IU's multi-campus system.
DGI has also expanded its reach through the Generative AI Workshops and Webinars Series, which has five remaining spring 2025 sessions. This comprehensive series offers opportunities to explore educational applications of AI tools, ethical considerations, and practical implementation strategies. The series serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI in higher education.
Save the date: DG Summit on May 21 (Indianapolis) and May 22 (Bloomington)
This year's event offers an exceptional opportunity to connect with technology-engaged colleagues, explore innovative teaching practices, and preview the benefits of the DGI community.
Attendance is open to all IU faculty and staff (you don't have to be a DGI Fellow), making it an ideal introduction for those considering applying to the fellowship program.
Become a Digital Gardener Fellow
Join this thriving network of innovative educators: Gain access to professional development opportunities, a supportive peer community, and resources to enhance teaching through thoughtful technology integration.
Applications for the Fall 2025 cohort open March 28, 2025. IU instructors at any rank are welcome to apply.
With 250 Fellows now cultivating their digital gardens across Indiana University's campuses, the Digital Gardener Initiative looks forward to continuing its mission of enhancing teaching and learning through purposeful technology integration for years to come.