AT Computer Labs and Classrooms Updates
In preparation for the 2009-2010 academic year, computers in AT computer labs and classrooms have been upgraded in a number of ways. All iMac computers now allow users to choose either Mac OS X or Windows XP operating system. This new dual-boot technology permits instructors who want to use computers with different operating systems at different times to do so without changing rooms. It also allows classes to be taught entirely with Windows software in any of the three iMac classrooms (Architecture 120, Norman G512, Norman G514i). All PCs in classrooms were also upgraded to dual core architecture. labs.at.ufl.edu
UF Classroom Technology
All UF general classrooms now have technology podiums with built-in laptop cables. The podiums have been redesigned to prevent the accidental unplugging of cables and to secure the PC computers. All classrooms are also equipped with SMART Podium, or the similar Hitachi Starboard interactive pen tablet monitors. You can use the special pen tethered to the monitor to annotate on top of anything you can display on the computer screen. You can also write on blank slides, simulating an overhead projector or chalkboard, but with better visibility for the students; however, one of the most interesting uses is to prepare slides that contain only partial content and fill in the remaining content with the pen as you proceed.
Classroom response systems remain popular, especially in larger lecture courses. Chemistry and Physics lecture halls use the HITT system, while the TurningPoint system is available in all other general classrooms on campus. Wireless transmitters are purchased by students and allow every student in a classroom, even in the 650 seat Carleton Auditorium, to interact with the instructor and the rest of the class. Instantly displaying a graph with the collective responses of the class to well-written questions can provide an instructor with significant insight about the class’s overall understanding of a topic, and can also show students who are not understanding a topic that they need to put in more effort or seek help. www.at.ufl.edu/classrooms
Lecture Capture Technology
UF is expanding its commitment to lecture capture technology by installing Mediasite rich media lecture capture systems in nine large lecture halls on campus:
- Carleton Auditorium 100
- Chemistry Laboratory Building C130
- Computer Science Engineering A101
- McCarty Hall C 100
- New Physics Building 1001
- Norman Hall 137
- Pugh Hall 170
- Turlington Hall L007
- Weimer Hall 1064
The Mediasite system captures synchronized audio, video, and computer displays into a compact package that students can download and play on their Windows, Mac, or Linux systems. Instructors can use the captured lectures as a supplement to allow students to review materials from class, or in the event a student cannot attend due to illness or other emergency, use the online materials to make up a missed class. This is particularly important this Fall due to the presence of the H1N1 flu pandemic. The Office of Academic Technology also maintains Mediasite encoders in a 34-seat classroom and a studio in Turlington Hall, which can be used to author additional course content using the Mediasite format. For information about the H1N1 preparations and large auditorium Mediasite installations, see at.ufl.edu/flu. For examples of Mediasite content, see mediasite.video.ufl.edu.
iTunes U
UF now has a presence on Apple’s iTunes U site. Video, audio, and PDF files can be uploaded to course sites in iTunes U, then downloaded by students through their iTunes application on their computers, or directly to an iPod Touch or iPhone. The system also allows for media files to be uploaded by students for review by their classmates or the instructor. itunesu.at.ufl.edu
National Organization Spotlight
UF is involved with several national organizations that facilitate information and idea sharing about the use of technology in higher education. The largest IT organization in higher education is EDUCAUSE. The mission of EDUCAUSE is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The current membership comprises more than 2,200 colleges, universities, and educational organizations, including 250 corporations, with more than 17,000 active members.
EDUCAUSE runs annual national conferences (Denver, CO in November), as well as regional conferences and numerous webinars, and has a number of sub organizations, such as ECAR, the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research that sponsors and publishes studies about IT in higher education, and ELI, the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative that works to improve learning through the use of innovative technologies and techniques. www.educause.edu
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Tags: Academic Technology, Services
Posted on Monday, October 5th, 2009.