The Idea

The DMACX space at USFSM is a technology lab installation that Amber, Timi, and the E-Learning team, have taken from idea to proposal to being funded and now implementation. "DMACX" stands for Digital Maker and Collaboration Xpace. In the USF system, there are technology fees collected from the students which are used for projects that impact the entire university population. An announcement was released about available open technology funds and the idea was formed of a collaborative, cutting edge technology space for our Sarasota/Bradenton students, a space that they currently did not have available to them. Amber and Timi together drafted a proposal, which was subsequently funded for implementation at $80,000. The DMACX proposal was the only project funded that year from our campus (2015-16 funding year).

The Proposal as submitted

The Completed Space

Construction began in June 2017...Some items were not funded (original request was ~$93,000); other items were 'funded', but not installed due to building construction limitations, like the 3D printer, which would have required exhausting the machine's fumes out of the building.

construction email

Construction completes for Fall 2017 opening and use by all...

The Evaluation

Evaluation started Spring 2018... in progress

In the proposal, evaluation of the DMACX project was initially planned to include:

"Metrics for success and future planning will be acquired through data collected from DMACX and technology usage;
The use of student and faculty surveys to gauge learning;
Recommendations and assistance sought through the lab;
And surveys of the entire USFSM institution to gauge how DMACX can be better utilized or gain new users."

Additionally:

"Exemplary digital artifacts and content that are developed in the DMACX lab will be showcased and highlighted to the USFSM campus and local community."

Evaluation will be conducted through the "Technology Acceptance Model" which is detailed on Wikipedia here.

Draft Survey for Faculty/Staff

Draft Survey for Students [link coming soon]

Design evaluation and results of the survey evaluation will be presented and published in many formats. AECT presentation/proposal draft here.