News 01-21-2003

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College, Corporate HR Groups Unveil Careers Web Site

A group of college career center directors and corporate human resource executives unveiled a Web-based, national college recruiting system intended to link colleges, students, and employers. NACElink, a joint-venture of the Direct Employers Association and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), includes job postings, a resume database, and tools for career services administration and interview-scheduling. Ted Glatt, manager of university relations and talent sourcing for Lockheed Martin, said the service was "uniquely designed to complement our on-campus recruiting efforts. It has an easy-to-use and efficient job posting feature to communicate all types of employment opportunities." A total of 27 schools helped develop NACElink, including Yale University, the University of California at Los Angeles, and Purdue University.

For more information visit: www.nacelink.com

Syllabus Radio: Log on and Listen! www.syllabus.com/radio/index.asp

Sponsor: Syllabus Radio: Log on and Listen!

Jeffrey L. Popyack and Nira Herrmann of Drexel University discuss pen-based electronic grading of student work submitted online. The challenges and several solutions to marking electronic text are presented in this interview with Judith Boettcher. Syllabus Radio presents audio interviews with leaders in education technology available 24x7 at www.syllabus.com/radio/index.asp.

UWV Tests Hand Geometry Reader for Campus Security

The University of West Virginia is testing a biometric hand geometry reader at one of its residence halls that will allow students to gain access with a simple hand scan. After further testing, the system will be installed at the school's recreation center. The system was put together by Diebold Inc., which makes identification and security systems for banks, hospitals, and government agencies. With the system, students enter a five-digit identification number and then place their hand in the reader. The scanner takes more than 90 measurements of the hand in terms of length, width, thickness, and surface area in the span of one second. If the hand is authenticated the door unlocks. UWV worked with Diebold in 1995 to create a smart card program enabling students to make purchases at retail outlets around the university.

U. Toronto Expands Visualization Supercomputer

University of Toronto's Molecular Design and Information Technology center is increasing the computational power of its visualization supercomputer in response to increasing demand for molecular modeling and visualization. The center's graphics server, an SGI Inc. Onyx 3800, powers an immersive visualization system at the center, which is used for research in drug design and delivery. In addition to being used for computational chemistry, the system also delivers stereo images of molecular models to a 5- by 12-foot screen, creating an environment for group research. Investigators wearing stereo glasses interact with 3-D models projected on the screen, using a projection system that is capable of displaying three separate images or a single large image, as needed.

Flash Developer Macromedia to Acquire Presidia Inc.

Multimedia and Flash developer Macromedia has acquired Presidia Inc., a provider of online presentation and eLearning tools. Presidia's flagship product, Express, enables non-technical professionals to use office productivity tools like Microsoft PowerPoint to annotate presentations with audio, and combine these two elements into a streaming Macromedia Flash application delivered via a hosted or off-line solution. The content can contain slides, audio, animations, quizzes, and surveys. The system tracks and reports results, and can also be integrated with existing learning management systems. "The solution enables companies to [deliver] eLearning materials on the broadest range of Internet-connected computers and, in the near future, PDAs and wireless devices such as cell phones," said Norm Meyrowitz, president of products, Macromedia.

Microsoft Names Miami-Dade CC Training Center

Microsoft Corp. named Miami-Dade Community College (M-DCC) one of its regional training centers, responsible for "train the trainer" education. Microsoft's "IT Academy Program" supports schools preparing students for careers as network administrators, technical support specialists, software and hardware developers, and design engineers. The program includes training for faculty members at 17 regional centers across the U.S. and Canada, now including M-DCC. The designation also makes M-DCC a local IT Academy, enabling it to offer credit and community education courses in Microsoft programming and operations. Many of the classes will be held at the Emerging Technologies Center of the Americas (ETCOTA) in downtown Miami, which became fully operational this past fall.

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