CT Briefs

  • 01/01/08

:: NEWS

SEARCHING THE VIDEO LECTURE. Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a prototype search function for classroom video recordings available online through the university's OpenCourseWare initiative. The system analyzes a transcript of each video lecture created with speech recognition software. "Our goal is to develop a speech and language technology that will help educators provide structure to these video recordings, so it's easier for students to access the material," explains James Glass, head of CSAIL's Spoken Language Systems Group. Read more here.

TOP-FLIGHT SECURITY. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) is implementing the Oracle Identity and Access Management Suite as a foundation for its identity management infrastructure, to secure a wide variety of data and applications accessed via 60,000-plus faculty, staff, affiliate, student, alumni, and applicant accounts. With the Oracle Identity Manager suite component already in place, the university will move to the next phase of its rollout—Oracle Access Manager, which will provide an improved, centralized single sign-on system throughout Embry-Riddle's IT infrastructure.

CT Briefs

STUDENT AVATARS meet with peers on Coastline Community College's 3D computer-generated campus.

VIRTUAL CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT. The Instructional Systems Development (ISD) team at Coastline Community College (CA) recently debuted its new virtual college technology, where student avatars explore a 3D computergenerated campus and meet with their peers online. Dan Jones, executive dean of ISD, hopes the team's work will "revolutionize our concept of education."

STAYING ALERT. George Washington University (DC) is deploying GW Alert, a new system on campus that can generate text messages which crawl across the bottom of a PC screen to inform users about emergency situations. The security application, from BIA Information Network, can also provide graphical messages and web links for additional help.

FEELING SMART AT NOVA SOUTHEASTERN. A new Shark Card has been issued to more than 25,000 students, faculty, and staff at Nova Southeastern University (FL), incorporating both contact and RFID-enabled smart chips, plus biometrics. The technology, from SmartCentric Technologies International, will provide a range of services to the campus community on a single card. Benny Mohall, NSU's director of projects, systems, and technical support, comments that the new cards offer "a platform for rapid expansion well into the future." Read more here.

TERAGRID CENTERS. The National Science Foundation recently awarded grants to five high-performance computing centers for their participation in TeraGrid, a nationwide research infrastructure that encompasses HPC resources. For the prestigious awards, NFS selected Purdue University (IN), the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative based at Louisiana State University, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois, the San Diego Supercomputer Center (www.SDSC.edu) based at the University of California- San Diego, and the Texas Advanced Computing Center at The University of Texas-Austin.

:: PEOPLE

Aaron BarlowBLOGGING ANALYST. In his new book, Blogging America: The New Public Sphere (Praeger, November 2007), Aaron Barlow, an assistant professor of English at NYC College of Technology, has taken on the many complexities of blogging, including the changing attitudes toward communications technologies and, yes, even college students' writing. Read more here.

Featured

  • From Fire TV to Signage Stick: University of Utah's Digital Signage Evolution

    Jake Sorensen, who oversees sponsorship and advertising and Student Media in Auxiliary Business Development at the University of Utah, has navigated the digital signage landscape for nearly 15 years. He was managing hundreds of devices on campus that were incompatible with digital signage requirements and needed a solution that was reliable and lowered labor costs. The Amazon Signage Stick, specifically engineered for digital signage applications, gave him the stability and design functionality the University of Utah needed, along with the assurance of long-term support.

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    Louisiana State University Doubles Down on Larger Student-Run SOC

    In an effort to provide students with increased access to real-world cybersecurity experience, Louisiana State University has expanded its relationship with cybersecurity solutions provider TekStream to launch TigerSOC, a new student-run security operations center.

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    Complete College America Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), with the goal of helping higher education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes.

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    Maricopa Community Colleges Adopts Platform to Combat Student Application Fraud

    In an effort to secure its admissions and financial processes, Maricopa Community Colleges has partnered with A.M. Simpkins and Associates (AMSA) to implement the company's S.A.F.E (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) across the district's 10 institutions.