News 10-08-2002
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Cornell Opens ‘Theory Center’ in New York City
Cornell University opened a branch of the Cornell Theory Center (CTC) in New
York City last week. The solutions center, which was also named a Center for
Research Excellence by Dell Computer, is using high-performance computing techniques
to help research social problems. CTC is involved in modeling the potential
impact of tsunami waves on coastal communities; creating "fingerprints" for
bacteria to track outbreaks of food-borne diseases; developing methods for computing
risk factors affecting complex financial portfolios; and modeling failures in
machine parts that lead to aviation disasters. In doing so, it is using high-performance
computing clusters (HPCC), which link large numbers of standards-based servers
and storage systems to act as a single resource in solving complex computational
problems. Dell chief Michael Dell cited CTC’s "groundbreaking research and …
pioneering role in the use of clustering technology" in giving its award.
Early Bird Deadline for Syllabus fall2002 Extended to 10/11
There's still time to receive the substantial 15% early bird registration discount
for Syllabus fall2002, the Fourth Annual Boston area conference on Education
Technology presented by Syllabus magazine. Held November 3-5 at the Boston Marriott
Newton Hotel, Syllabus fall2002 offers thought-provoking speakers and sessions
where administrators, IT professionals and faculty can learn about the latest
in technology for higher education institutions in a collegial atmosphere. Keynote
speakers are James Oliverio of the University of Florida and Gerard Hanley,
California State University. Inspire your thinking and expand your knowledge
on technology trends at Syllabus fall2002. Register at http://www.syllabus.com/fall2002.
Don't delay! The 15% early registration discount expires October 11 -- sign
up today.
Higher Ed Leads Women in Computing Confab
Two of the three keynote speakers at the Institute for Women and Technology's
4th annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing conference are from
higher education. The conference, inspired by the legacy of U.S. Navy Adm. Grace
Hopper, will feature Fran Berman, director of the San Diego Supercomputing Center
and professor of computer science at University of California San Diego, who
will give an address entitled "A Tale Of Two Positions: Transitioning Through
The Glass Ceiling." Leah Jamieson, professor of electrical and computer engineering
at Purdue University will speak on "Engineering Community, Passion And Balance.”
The conference, which takes place Oct, 9th-12th, 2002 at the Hyatt Regency,
Vancouver, British Columbia, is the world's largest gathering of women in computing.
For more information, visit: http://www.gracehopper.org
Nurses to Offer Web-based Critical Care Tool
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) last week launched
a web-based tool designed to improve the introduction of novice nurses to critical
care practice. The online Essentials of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO) program
is a “ robust tool that offers a variety of learning opportunities yet is user-friendly
and easily accessed by clinicians,” Wendy Berke, director of professional practice
for AACN. The group described ECCO as an interactive and self-paced program
focusing on the fundamentals of critical care nursing. Features provide nurse
managers with a variety of options for organizing, tracking and reporting a
student's progress. Institutions may purchase an ECCO site license for $1,500
per year plus an individual user registration fee of $250 for one year of unlimited
access.
For more information, visit: http://www.aacn.org.
Professional Development Satellite Service Launched
The Training Systems Network (TSN), a producer of satellite programming on
professional development topics, and educational broadcaster Educational Satellite
Services, Inc. said they would launch the “Professional Development Channel”
to provide business and professional development programming for organizations
and corporations in the U.S. and Canada. TSN is in the process of acquiring
the channel from its current owners, National Technological University (NTU)
and Sylvan Ventures, the investment arm of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. TSN
will feature over 100 hours of broadcasting on professional development topics
such as leadership, change management, customer service, communications, diversity,
stress management, and safety.
eCollege To Offers Off-Line Exam Building
Course management system developer eCollege Inc. said it would partner with
Respondus, a maker of offline assessment software, to enable faculty members
to build exams offline through Respondus software and upload them into eCollege
online courses. The deal is eCollege's first third-party web services agreement
since announcing last week its commitment to Microsoft .NET technologies for
greater interoperability. The web service approach will integrate Respondus
functions with eCollege's Exam Builder Plus, allowing educators to access the
same features offline from their desktop. eCollege said this will allow for
easier exam creation and management, and will enable faculty to import exam
questions from other sources, including other CMS courses.
Awards, Deals, Contracts, in Higher Ed
* E-Learning -- Purdue University signed a contract to make WebCT Vista, an
“academic enterprise system,” as its e-learning environment. Purdue will use
Vista to supplement traditional classroom courses with Web content and communication
tools, and offer pure distance-learning courses. WebCT describes Vista as an
enterprise class e-learning system that g'es beyond course management to streamline
workflow and academic operations. It is especially beneficial for large, multi-institution
deployments, the company said.
* Financial Management -- Washington State University awarded Veramark Technologies,
Inc., which develops telecom network productivity programs, a $250,000-plus
contract for call accounting, tie-line reconciliation, phone bill consolidation
and service order processing services. WSU will use the company’s Quantam Series
telemanagement software.