Emerging technology

Classrooms, computer labs, and online learning systems adapt to fit student needs

Facebook, iPads, blogs, iPhones—these are the fresh faces of emerging technology in the 21st century. No longer is technology a word which people shy away from, but instead embrace as a way of life.

“I don’t think we think of it that way any more, because it’s so much a part of our lives,” Joe Windish, lead technical specialist for instructional support said of students not seeing commonly used student technology such as smartphones and Facebook as actual technology.

Windish believes expanding labs are also part of the next phase of technology and is improving the Instructional Technology Center to better fit student needs. Most of the changes have been made to configure the labs into a more group friendly space. Fifteen seats in total were added to the labs to help make them more collaborative areas. The lab also has more power strips available, so students can plug in their laptops while working on a desktop.

The addition of four iPads this past Fall semester also helped students test out the latest technology. The LITC asks students to fill out a survey after checking out an iPad to see how they use it so they can decide how to go forward with this new technology.

“What we really want to see is what does this new tool do for us that we couldn’t do before,” Windish said of the iPads.

After just six months of use, Windish said he has found the iPad makes tasks easier, but he hasn’t found new uses. One way the LITC is utilizing the iPads is by student assistants using them to make their rounds.

“We do rounds once every hour. We check all of the computers in our section to see if they’re working,” Chloe Frew, freshman marketing major said “It’s easier (using the iPads), you can walk around and go wherever you need to because some of our rounds are upstairs.”

In addition to the iPads, the LITC also offers high definition video flip cameras, still cameras, voice recorders and a recently installed sound booth located in the Mac lab—all funded by the student technology fee and available for check out.

Windish has visited other technology centers at various schools including University of Georgia and Emory University. Georgia College shapes up nicely against other labs—offering better if not the same services as other schools according to him.

“We want to further develop the entire media lab offering,” Windish said.

Technology is also emerging where students spend the most time–in the classroom and online learning systems.

Several new additions are being made to classroom technology by the recommendation of the student tech advisory group. James Carlisle, director of technology support services, explained some new features students and professors will have access. This includes video conferencing, Deep Freeze software, and student response systems.

Deep Freeze software is currently being tested by technology services.

“(Deep Freeze) sets the computer at a state in which you want it. You configure it exactly the way you want it. It makes an ideal image of it and if anything happens to it, just reboot it and it’s back to the way it was,” Carlisle said.

Technology services is testing out the software and will soon be rolling it out for use in classroom computers.

Carlisle also mentioned that they are working on virtualizing some of the computers on campus as a result of students needing to use software off-campus.

“You’re required certain software for certain classes and you may not have it on you laptop or computer,” Carlisle said. “So you end up having to go to the lab all the time.”

The Ncomputing system will enable students to access software required for classes from home. Georgia College has already purchased units to test.

Polycom video conference systems are also in the works for classroom use. Doreen Sams, associate professor of marketing, tried out the systems in a marketing class. Sams held a video conference with a marketing class in Spain and was able to share presentations. The systems are on mobile carts for easy use by the professors.

One of the more exciting projects in the wings for technology services is the unveiling of 3-D technology.

“Fairly soon we are going to be rolling out 3-D technology that will allow professors to display images using three dimensional projectors and 3-D glasses,” Carlisle said.

There is no set time for the 3-D technology to be ready for professor and student use. However, currently professors are working with a contracting company that creates images to go along with particular classes.

Another area that utilizes growing technology is online learning systems. Director of Web Enabled Resources, Wesley Smith says ‘Second Life’ is at the forefront of Georgia College online learning.

“’Second life’ is great for collaboration,” Smith said.

‘Second Life’ is utilized by professors to produce a more creative learning environment. Smith is working with five professors who use it in their classes. Smith is currently working with business classes who use ‘Second Life’.

“They will actually operate their businesses in ‘Second Life’. They can invest in a business and it won’t cost them a penny,” Smith said.

The learning management system used by Georgia College, Georgia View, is also being updated. The license will expire in 2013. The University System of Georgia is currently looking at five different website options.

“All of the options are out on the table and right now we’re looking to see what’s going to be the best in the long run for the university system,” Smith said.

Growing technology in a college environment is built on the core of interactive feedback. Survey feedback is a factor both Windish and Carlisle appreciate.

“The students are great about advising us on how to use the money wisely,” Carlisle said.

Georgia College is making the necessary requirements to modify itself to fit student needs and also the needs of a world with emerging and changing technology.

“The future happens and we don’t even know it,” Windish said.