Jess Knott

Learning Design Manager at Michigan State University

Jessica Knott, Ph.D. is the Learning Design Manager for MSU Information Technology and the Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology at Michigan State University. She leads a team that helps faculty, staff, and academic programs effectively integrate technology into their teaching and research through consultations, demonstrations, workshops and hands-on development. For the past two years, she has used LX design as a platform for staff development and faculty support, including in assisting with the development of the MSU Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology.

She has worked in information technology since 1998, spanning the private and academic sectors, and her work has covered K-16 and adult learning. Jessica holds a Ph.D. in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University, focusing on faculty learning, user experiences, the student academic experience, and the far-reaching impact that the open Web and hyperlinks have in the field of teaching and learning. Jess tweets at @jlknott.

The design studio: creating and maintaining teams of diverse talents for development across diverse disciplines

The advent of the Michigan State University Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology generated some interesting challenges to our campus infrastructure, and very quickly “broke” some long standing workflows and processes. For the past year, the teams at the MSU Hub and MSU Information Technology worked to generate a process (with tools that we will share with anyone who is interested) that is more inclusive, transparent, and agile. From more purposely including students in projects and leadership, to developing a weekly rhythm for our workflow that allows time for creativity and public intellectual pursuits, to creating transparent, visible task boards and project intake and feedback processes.