Custom Projects

The EdTech Center works collaboratively with Northeastern faculty in support of the development of online teaching tools and in support of their research. The following services are available from the EdTech Center as we work with you (as subject matter experts) to create your interactive projects.

• Grant writing
• Needs assessment, appropriate technology
• Instructional design
• Information architecture
• Interface design and development
• Database development
• Content Management System (CMS) integration for maintaining the content once the project is complete
• Web statistics using Google Analytics
• Content maintenance plan
• Training
• Evaluation

Eligibility

All Northeastern faculty and research groups are eligible to collaborate with the EdTech Center on grant-funded, web-based projects.

Costs

Fees for these services vary according to the complexity of the project and the time required for development.

If you are applying for a grant, we recommend meeting with us prior to submitting your application so we can help determine what these costs will be. Many funders offer money specifically for dissemination of research results. We can help you determine if your funder offers such grants and how to receive them.

Funding opportunities can be found on Northeastern University’s Research website.

Timeline

The time required to complete your project varies depending on the following factors:

• How many projects the EdTech Center is involved in at the time your project is initiated.
• How long it takes the content experts (you) to draft and finalize a content outline.
• How long it takes the content experts (you) to develop the actual content.
• What functionality is needed to meet the project goals.
• What technology already exists that can be reused and built upon, such as open source software and projects previously developed by the EdTech Center.

After meeting to discuss your project goals, the EdTech Center will map out a timeline with milestones for all aspects of project development including content development, interface design and development, back-end development, training and evaluation.

Roles and Responsibilities

As Subject Matter/Content Experts you will be required to:

• Carefully consider and thoroughly answer the EdTech Center's Getting Started Questions prior to meeting with us to discuss your project goals.
• Review the EdTech Center's Collaborative Process document which outlines the phases of a typical project, and what steps are required to move through the development process in the most efficient way possible.
• Work with EdTech Center staff to establish timelines and milestones as well as a content delivery plan.
• Provide a completed content outline before the design and development process can begin.
• Develop and provide content to the EdTech Center team as specified in content delivery plan.
• Cover any costs associated with developing your project. For example, images are often needed for the interface design. If stock photography is used, your group will be required to pay for it. More information about the use of images in your project.
• Take responsibility for maintaining the website, post-launch.

The EdTech Center will:

• Assist you with writing your grant proposal.
• Work with you to determine audience, objectives, and appropriate technology.
• Help you refine your ideas and content.
• Work with you to establish timelines and milestones as well as a content delivery plan.
• Design and develop an appropriate user interface that adheres to W3C standards and accessibility guidelines.
• Design and develop any necessary database/back-end components.
• Integrate the website with a Content Management System (CMS).
• Populate the website with content.
• Train at least one person in your unit to use the CMS.
• Take all steps necessary to launch the website according to the established timeline.
• Assist you in evaluating the success of the project.

If you would like to discuss development of a grant-funded project that will support teaching and research at Northeastern, please contact Alicia Russell, the EdTech Center director via phone at (617) 373-4584 or email at a.russell@neu.edu