Office of Academic Technology

Enhancing Teaching and Learning with Technology

Office of Academic Technology

Enhancing Teaching and Learning with Technology

What we do

We are a community of people working together to amplify the teaching and learning mission through the strategic use of academic technology.

As a leading public research institution, our university is renowned for its world–class teaching and learning experience for students from all over the world. The mission of the Office of Academic Technology (OAT) is to coordinate a strategic and holistic academic technology ecosystem where students, faculty, and staff thrive. Our areas of work include strategy, policy, user experience research, and stakeholder communication, all related to the adoption of academic technology on campus. The OAT resides in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Technology interfaces with the learning experience in a way that no other investment does. It is a conduit to learning. We collaborate with instructors, departments, colleges, and schools to identify barriers to learning that academic technology can solve. From there, we develop strategies, policies, and recommendations to help move the university forward in achieving its teaching and learning mission while modernizing existing systems and experiences.

OAT Initiatives

Course Evaluation System

The Office of Academic Technology (OAT) leads the course evaluation process at UT Austin. The goal of the course evaluation system (CES) is to drive teaching excellence and support continuous improvement in teaching and learning experiences. Learn more about the CES on the CES team’s website or email course-evals@utexas.edu.

Learning Technology Adoption Process

The Learning Technology Adoption Process (LTAP) is an evaluation process designed to help guide academic technology decision-making on campus in ways that support a thriving Longhorn Learning Experience for all campus stakeholders. The LTAP aids the campus in developing a strategic understanding of a tool or technology’s pedagogical effectiveness, active learning user experiences, and campus sustainability and longevity. To learn more or get involved, email the OAT at oat@utexas.edu.

Academic Technology Council

The Office of Academic Technology leads UT Austin’s Academic Technology Council (ATC). The ATC is a member-based group on campus that represents a combination of academic stakeholders from a broad cross-section of the university alongside key members of the IT community with a relevant understanding of the impact of committee decisions on infrastructure, implementation, and staffing. To provide comprehensive campus perspective, advice, and guidance pertaining to technology-enhanced education with a particular emphasis on the acquisition, deployment, and strategic use of these technologies in service of the instructional mission of UT Austin.

Strategic Partnerships

Teaching, Learning, and Collaboration Services Group within Information Technology Services (ITS)

The OAT partners with the university’s Information Technology Services (TIS) group Teaching, Learning, and Collaboration Services to provide training, customer support and service, and academic technology integrations on campus. Contact the TLC group today if you need technical support or help using learning technologies.

Center for Teaching and Learning

The OAT partners with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) to support the teaching and learning mission of UT Austin. Contact CTL to engage in a variety of programs and teaching advancement opportunities.

Strategic Academic Initiatives

The OAT partners with Strategic Academic Initiatives on Learning Technology Adoption Process projects, including on developing data, evaluation, and assessment tools.

Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services

The OAT partners with Liberal Arts Instructional Technology Services to support and advance academic technology on campus. Contact LAITS if you have questions about classroom support, computer support, or technology integration.

Campus Stakeholder Engagement

The OAT engages with key campus stakeholders to help inform and guide academic technology strategy, policy, user experience research, and stakeholder engagement related to academic technology, including the following groups:

C13, C14
IT Leadership Council
Faculty Council
Academic Technology Council
Educational Technology Council
UT Teaching and Learning Consortium
Classroom Technology Committee (TCC)

Questions About Using Learning Tools

What should I do if I receive an unwanted vendor email about academic technology products on campus?

Forward the email to the Office of Academic Technology at oat@utexas.edu.
Include a note that this is an unwanted email/solicitation.
Block the sender so that you do not receive additional emails.

What should I do if I receive an email from a vendor with a tool I am interested in?

Forward the email to the Office of Academic Technology at oat@utexas.edu.
Include a note with the forwarded email letting us know about your interest.

What is the process for adopting a learning tool or technology on Campus?

The University requires a campus-wide, college, departmental, or unit-level contract to use any third-party software, technology, or tool on campus. Individual faculty may not sign contracts with third-party vendors. The contract process involves ensuring academic tools are properly vetted for their pedagogical efficacy and adherence to state and federal law related to data security, privacy, and accessibility. You can read more about the University’s learning technology adoption process here. If you want to integrate a tool with your course, you can check if the tool is already approved here or contact canvas@utlists.uexas.edu.