News 09-20-2002
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Stanford Med Deploys Wireless Learning System
Stanford University School of Medicine is testing a wireless polling system
that would help instructors improve classroom interactions. During the summer,
students used Palm m125 handhelds equipped with the Palm Bluetooth Card, a Secure
Digital Input/Output card, and Stanford's custom-designed software to communicate
wirelessly with instructors. The new approach is faster and provides more accurate
feedback due to the anonymity it lends to students. Based on responses, instructors
were able to dynamically tailor course material to meet the needs of a particular
class. "Our students come from very different backgrounds," said Pat Cross,
a professor of structural biology. "Being able to more precisely fine-tune our
content leads to better-educated students and, ultimately, better-trained medical
professionals. The key is really the anonymity the students have. Their answers
are more truthful since there is no public embarrassment for answering incorrectly."
For more information, visit: http://palm.stanford.edu/.
Featured Session on Wireless Networking and Trends at Syllabus fall2002
With the deployment of wireless networking, students and faculty alike are
beginning to enjoy the freedom of roaming unfettered through campus with their
notebook and handheld computers. Will wireless networking change teaching and
course administration? What are the security issues? A panel discussion led
by Judith B'ettcher, CREN, will present first-hand observations and studies
of wireless usage on campus at Syllabus fall2002. This education technology
conference, held Nov. 3-5 at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel, includes keynote
speakers, breakout sessions, a vendor fair and an opportunity to network with
colleagues focused on technology in higher education.
For information and to register, go to http://www.syllabus.com/fall2002
College Develops Custom Certification Program
The College of Extended Studies at San Diego State University has developed
a certification program in telecommunications that is customized for employees
of a company that provides voice and data services outsourcing. Under the customized
certification program, employees of Profitline Inc. will take university-level
courses to further their understanding of telecom services and technology.
"Our
program in telecommunications examines the most recent developments in this
rapidly changing industry, and is designed so that graduates of the program
can make their companies more successful and profitable," said William Byxbee,
dean of SDSU's College of Extended Studies. ProfitLine chief Rick Valencia said,
"providing our employees a customized curriculum from a world-class university
will help us attract better talent, improve the knowledge base of our existing
team, and enable us to provide even better service to our growing base of enterprise
clients."
For more information, visit: http://www.neverstoplearning.net.
Washington U. Launches Continuing Ed in IT
The Center for the Application of Information Technology (CAIT), a not-for-profit
organization within Washington University in St. Louis that bills itself as
an education center for IT leaders in the region, has hired e-commerce firm
Perficient Inc. to develop a series of technical courses on technologies for
the local business community. The company will deliver for CAIT courses around
platforms and technologies such as IBM's WebSphere, Java, WebSphere Portal,
and Web Services. "CAIT helps our consortium of major corporations in St. Louis
align the resources required to meet the challenges posed by technology, and
its integration into industry and government," says Bob Thomas, director of
training services, CAIT. "To address those needs, CAIT forms partnerships with
content providers like Perficient, where the expertise enhances the Center's
capabilities."
For more information, visit http://www.cait.wustl.edu/.
U. Cincinnati Med Center Launches Mobile Initiative
The University of Cincinnati Medical Center has deployed a wireless application
that will enable medicine, nursing, and pharmacy students to record data and
consult with faculty as they move beyond the school's campus for patient experience
in area hospitals. The network was developed by AvantGo Inc., a provider of
mobile enterprise software, and systems integration firm ArcStream. It is designed
to help students track patient encounters by electronically capturing data directly
on mobile devices. The real-time data capture enables staff to monitor students'
progress during each patient encounter, providing a portfolio of patient encounters
for students and staff, and improving the University's ability to submit accurate
data for accreditation purposes. "Our goal with this always-available technology
is to turn our campus into a wireless Internet environment where everything
from research to library resources will be accessible from students' handheld
devices." said Dr. John R. Kues, a professor of family medicine at the school.
Nova Southeastern U. Builds Campuswide Video Security System
Nova Southeastern University is installing a campuswide personal security and
safety system that will comprise hundreds of video cameras when it is completed.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based university is working with Nice Systems, a provider
of digital recording systems, and Siemens Building Technologies Inc.
to deploy
the system, which was conceived as part of a new library that is being built
on campus. The initial phase of installation covered digital cameras on the
main campus, applications for access control, and emergency call stations with
two-way audio throughout the campus. The system is managed from a Security Operations
Center (SOC), which currently monitors camera coverage for the new library,
parking garages, and additional areas around campus.
For more information, visit: http://www.nova.edu
U. of South Dakota Extends 'Palm Initiative'
The University of South Dakota started the second year of a two-year pilot
program to determine how handheld computers could enhance the educational experience.
Under USD's "Palm Initiative," the university is exploring how mobile technology
would help students develop organizational skills, gain better access to course
materials, improve communication with faculty and peers, and encourage the use
of other types of technology. About 2,500 Palm devices have been distributed
to students and faculty. Also, server-based data synchronization software from
Extended Systems Inc. has been incorporated into the network, allowing students
to access and update via Infrared ports around campus, email, course material
and information from faculty and peers, notes taken during lectures, homework
assignments and appointments.
