Franklin invests in students’ digital fluency
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe president of Franklin College says the institution is taking steps to be a leader among liberal arts schools in the digital sphere. Kerry Prather says the college is responding to the marketplace by producing tech talent, regardless of the student’s academic discipline. “Whether they’re history majors or computer science majors, [we want them] to really become versed in the software, applications and the tech platforms necessary for them to succeed,” said Prather.
During an appearance on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Prather said his staff is routinely meeting with some of Indiana’s largest employers that are very clear about workforce needs.
“We meet annually with our alums at Lilly, Salesforce, Cummins. And the feedback was more digital preparation,” said Prather.
Prather says the school is focusing on creating workers who are not only literate in the digital space, but fluent.
“That [way] we can get our students to a level of actually being able to execute the software that’s compatible with their major at the time and what their employers will expect as they enter the workforce,” added Prather.
He says Franklin College’s new Center for Tech Innovation is critical towards reaching their digital fluency initiative goals. The CTI is scheduled to be dedicated Feb. 10.
The CTI serves as the hub for the college’s newly created digital fluency program. It will provide collaboration and work space for students, faculty and staff members to explore new technologies and interact with one another, as well as industry partners on innovative projects and initiatives.
“There’s a large makerspace, we have a podcast studio, a virtual reality space, a 3d printer, all of the resources necessary to give students an opportunity,” said Prather.
Last month, the college announced a partnership with Carmel-based tech company Lumavate. Founded in 2015, the Software-as-a-Service company has developed a platform for businesses to design, build and launch mobile apps without the need for coding, IT developers or large technology investment.
Franklin says their students will develop critical skills to help prepare them for the workforce.
“No-code platforms like Lumavate provide opportunities for students of all technical and academic backgrounds to hone their innovation, creativity, entrepreneurial, and design skills,” said Andrew Rosner, Franklin College director of digital fluency.
Rosner says the college’s digital fluency initiative merges the applications of technology in each academic discipline with the content knowledge and the liberal arts foundation to form the school’s distinctive academic experience.
Coincidentally, Lumavate CEO Stephanie Cox is an alumnae of Franklin.
“In today’s workforce, every employee needs to be extremely well-versed digitally to be successful, and Franklin College’s digital fluency initiative is ensuring students have this level of digital expertise,” said Cox “Franklin College students have an incredible educational opportunity to elevate their digital expertise well ahead of peers at other colleges and train on a digital experience platform that is shaping the future of business through no-code.”
