There are many impressive things about this university, and the AT&T Center for Learning and Technology (CLT) is definitely one of them. Several of us got a grand tour from Greg Longoria, who himself deserves a lot of credit for being patient, informative, and extremely helpful, even though we dropped in on him unexpectedly.
The Studios at CLT are in one large, open area comprised of several different stations. Each station is comprised of a group of computers, and each station has a different focus. This is the area primarily available for student use. Here you will find the latest hardware and software. All of the computers here are equipped with the full Adobe suite for all kinds of projects. For video editing, the Apple computers are equipped with iMovie and the PCs are equipped with Sony Vega. There isn't much one couldn't do in the studios to make an impressive presentation. I could use these studios to create and/or edit a video or multimedia presentation for this or another class.
The Innovation Studio's primary function is to hold workshops for faculty, although students may sit in on these workshops. The instructor may use either Mac or PC technology (or both) to teach. Right now, most of the workshops have the purpose of instructing our Blackboard-savvy (ahem) faculty in the ways of T-Learn, a similar "core" program.
We weren't able to get a look inside the Digital Audio Lab, but I was surprised and impressed by all it had to offer. In addition to the expected sound editing equipment, the lab contains a CD player, turntables, and a keyboard, among other things. It is nearly a mini recording studio! In fact, it will be put to use this semester by Beginning Guitar students, who will actually use the Digital Audio Lab to record their musical presentations for class.
With the advent of digital technology, there is no longer really a Video Conference Center. In truth, that room's primary function is now actually storage for older equipment. That isn't to say that it's just a glorified closet. This is where professors can have videos made for classroom use. This room also serves as a studio for TigerTV. Attached is a small side room which houses the cable boxes that provide Trinity students with their beloved off-campus television programming (you know--stations people have heard of) and Ruben Rodriguez. Ruben controls Trinity from this little room like the great and powerful Oz from behind his curtain, monitoring student activity and making slight and unnoticed but powerful adjustments to the mind-control devices secretly implanted in all Trinity students (don't worry--your parents agreed to it). The primary function of the Video Conference Center is now performed by the mobile Polycom video conferencing equipment. This is a single cart with a self-contained television, speakers, and two-way video conferencing equipment. The Polycom equipment is housed in the Video Conference Center, but it is primarily used in the Media Presentation Lab, making it the primary location for video conferencing.
The Media Presentation Lab is, believe it or not, a room designed to display and evaluate media demonstrations and presentations. The presenter has at their disposal video conferencing equipment (the Polycom unit), a touch-screen monitor from which to control the presentation, a projector and screen, and speakers in each corner of the ceiling. This room and all of its equipment are available to students.
Lastly, we were shown the office of Pat Ullman. Computers are serviced in the main office. A connected room contains the servers for TriniTV, TigerTV, and MTVU, the electronic scheduling equipment for TigerTV, and even the equipment that provides online streaming video of important speeches and lectures, such as a recent speech by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
We were told more than once that the entire staff was happy to help us at any time. Ruben was helpful and informative when we all invited ourselves into his back room in the bowels of the library. I want to especially thank Greg for all his help and information.
The Studios at CLT are in one large, open area comprised of several different stations. Each station is comprised of a group of computers, and each station has a different focus. This is the area primarily available for student use. Here you will find the latest hardware and software. All of the computers here are equipped with the full Adobe suite for all kinds of projects. For video editing, the Apple computers are equipped with iMovie and the PCs are equipped with Sony Vega. There isn't much one couldn't do in the studios to make an impressive presentation. I could use these studios to create and/or edit a video or multimedia presentation for this or another class.
The Innovation Studio's primary function is to hold workshops for faculty, although students may sit in on these workshops. The instructor may use either Mac or PC technology (or both) to teach. Right now, most of the workshops have the purpose of instructing our Blackboard-savvy (ahem) faculty in the ways of T-Learn, a similar "core" program.
We weren't able to get a look inside the Digital Audio Lab, but I was surprised and impressed by all it had to offer. In addition to the expected sound editing equipment, the lab contains a CD player, turntables, and a keyboard, among other things. It is nearly a mini recording studio! In fact, it will be put to use this semester by Beginning Guitar students, who will actually use the Digital Audio Lab to record their musical presentations for class.
With the advent of digital technology, there is no longer really a Video Conference Center. In truth, that room's primary function is now actually storage for older equipment. That isn't to say that it's just a glorified closet. This is where professors can have videos made for classroom use. This room also serves as a studio for TigerTV. Attached is a small side room which houses the cable boxes that provide Trinity students with their beloved off-campus television programming (you know--stations people have heard of) and Ruben Rodriguez. Ruben controls Trinity from this little room like the great and powerful Oz from behind his curtain, monitoring student activity and making slight and unnoticed but powerful adjustments to the mind-control devices secretly implanted in all Trinity students (don't worry--your parents agreed to it). The primary function of the Video Conference Center is now performed by the mobile Polycom video conferencing equipment. This is a single cart with a self-contained television, speakers, and two-way video conferencing equipment. The Polycom equipment is housed in the Video Conference Center, but it is primarily used in the Media Presentation Lab, making it the primary location for video conferencing.
The Media Presentation Lab is, believe it or not, a room designed to display and evaluate media demonstrations and presentations. The presenter has at their disposal video conferencing equipment (the Polycom unit), a touch-screen monitor from which to control the presentation, a projector and screen, and speakers in each corner of the ceiling. This room and all of its equipment are available to students.
Lastly, we were shown the office of Pat Ullman. Computers are serviced in the main office. A connected room contains the servers for TriniTV, TigerTV, and MTVU, the electronic scheduling equipment for TigerTV, and even the equipment that provides online streaming video of important speeches and lectures, such as a recent speech by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
We were told more than once that the entire staff was happy to help us at any time. Ruben was helpful and informative when we all invited ourselves into his back room in the bowels of the library. I want to especially thank Greg for all his help and information.
1 comment:
Fabulous blog entry! Loved the picture -thanks, Jordan!
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