School for the Digital Future program gives credit where it’s due

Baker Lawley began his academic career two decades ago, teaching English in a traditional setting at a small liberal arts college. Now he's transforming the way we think about higher education as an Associate Teaching Faculty, Experiential Learning Opportunities in the School for the Digital Future.

"I decided to pivot out of the traditional education model and look for something where I can work on the edge of innovation," Lawley said. "We're going to some new places in higher education and it's fun to be a part of that."

That traditional educational model Lawley mentioned is something familiar to faculty, alumni and students from almost any background: listening to lectures in class, reading course material and proving competency in exams. That approach to teaching and learning has stuck around for many years, but it doesn't serve all students equally.

"Our students come to us with a lot of experience that a traditional age student doesn't have," Lawley said, speaking about his role in the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies and Bachelor of Applied Science programs. "They've long careers - 20 years of working professionally - they just happen to have not completed their degrees."

Lawley has taken the lead on serving these students by transforming the university's Credit for Prior Learning program. In the program, non-traditional students - often taking courses online - can earn course credit for professional skills they've developed in their careers.

"We have students that are just experts and they're really amazing in their fields," Lawley said. "Credit for prior learning is a way for them to make the case that they don't need to take certain courses because they've learned everything outside the classroom."

This recognition of students' prior professional experiences is part of Lawley's larger teaching philosophy, which favors experiential learning that goes beyond the classroom.

"I think students have always liked experiential learning," Lawley said. "They know it when they see it, and they know they like it."

Hands-on learning experiences have long been the domain of disciplines like chemistry or biology, which require lab credits. Lawley is working to expand those opportunities to students who wouldn't normally get them.

Part of that effort is the Global Career Accelerator, a six-credit program in project-based learning. Students partner with global brands and design solutions to challenges in marketing, social media or other issues the partner is facing. It's a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Boise State students.

"Nike isn't in the Treasure Valley, but you can work for these companies and get project-based learning [with the Global Career Accelerator]," Lawley said. "So we're able, as an online innovative space, to get students opportunities that they can't do in person."

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