News 08-13-2002
Sponsor: Improve the Performance of Your Campus Network
Volera's Content Delivery Network software ensures fast and reliable access
to web-based resources for students and faculty. Volera's solutions also enable
the use of e-learning and streaming media applications on your existing network.
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Computerized Medical School Test Examined
The Association of American Medical Colleges is trying out a computer-based
testing (CBT) format for its renowned Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
The computerized exam will be delivered in London, England this Saturday, August
17, 2002 at the same time the traditional paper and pencil-based version of
the exam is being administered around the world. "Widespread CBT availability
holds the promise of greater flexibility in test scheduling, a shorter testing
day, and faster reporting of scores," said Ellen Julian, assistant vice president
and director, MCAT. The AAMC picked Prometric, a specialist in CBT and assessment
services, to deliver this mini-pilot. Official MCAT Scores for the students
taking the CBT version of the exam are expected to be mailed in 30 days, as
opposed to the traditional 60 days with the paper and pencil versions.
For more information, visit: http://www.aamc.org/newsroom
Sponsor: Plan Now to Present at Syllabus fall2002
Share your expertise with education technology's leaders when you present at
the Syllabus fall2002 conference, November 3-5. At this, Syllabus' 4th annual
autumn visit to the Boston area, faculty, administrators and IT professionals
will gather at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel to explore the latest applications
of information technology in higher education institutions. Compelling technology
topics presented in a collegial atmosphere is the hallmark of Syllabus' Boston
conferences. Be there to set the tone with your presentation. Proposals to present
at the main conference or to lead a full- or half-day seminar during the pre-conference
are due by August 15.
Submission guidelines, content areas and complete details can be found online
at http://www.syllabus.com/fall2002/papers.asp
SMU Seeds Texas High School Tech Studies
The Infinity Project, a program sponsored by the Southern Methodist University
School of Engineering and Texas Instruments to introduce engineering into the
high school curriculum, is now accepting grant applications from public high
schools in Texas to offer financial assistance to start the program. The program
is funded by the office of Texas Gov. Rick Perry and administered by The Institute
for Engineering Education at SMU. The Infinity Project is among the first in
the country to help school districts incorporate state-of-the-art engineering
and advanced technology into standard high school curricula. It is designed
to help students understand the relevance of engineering, science and math,
and spur interest in pursuing engineering degrees in college. "Our goal is to
bring engineering to every high school in Texas," said Geoffrey Orsak, director
of the project.
For more information, visit: http://www.infinity-project.org
Abilene Internet2 Debuts Next Generation Service
The nationwide Abilene Internet2 backbone network now offers native next generation
Internet Protocol (IPv6) service. The deployment makes high-performance IPv6
service available to over 200 Internet2 member institu tions and other research
and education institutions across the United States. The deployment in Abilene
also marks the first large scale deployment in the United States of native IPv6
on Cisco System's 12000 series routers. Abilene's native IPv6 service complements
existing IPv6 deployment in other research and education networks around the
world, such as ESnet in the United States, Renater in France, and SURFnet in
the Netherlands.
For more information, visit: http://www.internet2.edu/abilene/
Chat U. Will Host Your Recruitment Open House
Tapping into youth mania for chat, electronic and otherwise, several schools
have become clients of Chat University, a Web-based chat room service lets college
admissions offices invite high school students into online open houses through
links from the colleges' Web sites. Chat U. builds the online open houses, helps
schools plan and promote the chats, and provides live technical support for
the schools and the participants. No other IT support is needed, leaving the
schools responsible just for scheduling the events, inviting the participants,
and chatting. According to American University, students have even filled out
online applications during the chat open houses. "It's been a wonderful addition
to our recruitment practices," said AU assistant director of admissions Daniel
Creasy, who added that about three-quarters of students who attend its chats
subsequently apply for admission.
For more information, visit: http://www.chatuniversity.com
Awards, Deals, Contracts, in Higher Education
-- Third generation (3G) wireless communication service chip maker Mobilepro
Corp. signed an agreement with the RF Micr'electronics Lab (RFIC) at the Information
and Communications University in South Korea to co-develop a new semiconductor
chip. Under the deal, joint engineering teams will devote research and design
expertise, staffing, and facilities to develop a radio frequency chipset that
supports the W-CDMA standard. It is a required component in consumer handsets
and base stations managed by mobile operators to support 3G wireless services.
-- Arizona State University said it has standardized on the Brio Performance
Suite for campus-wide business data analysis. The software will help ASU tap
a data warehouse to access and report on research, student, financial, facilities,
and other operational data. It will produce customized reports from data, from
quick tactical reports on line-item spending to allocating resources for students.
