Personalized tech training impresses students

The group project, in a class called Computers Mediating Cultures and Organizations, required students to use digital video cameras and iMovie editing software, Shoup said. The instructor, Dr. Radhika Gajjala, an associate professor of interpersonal communication, brought in student employees of "StudentTech" to describe how to check out and use the cameras and Firewire hard drives on which to store the video. "

That was really helpful," said Shoup, who is graduating this spring with a bachelor's degree in communication. She added it was "less intimidating" to receive the instruction from other students.

Her group subsequently taped the required interview about how technology affects one campus organization. Then, using iMovie, the group created a video analysis with a "Family Feud"-like spin. "

I wish I would have taken advantage of what they have to offer at an earlier point in my college career," said Shoup of the StudentTech services.

The center is the only facility of its kind at a public university in Ohio and one of only a few nationwide that focuses on academically oriented technology training, according to its director, Dr. Duane Whitmire.

The digital video program is the center's most popular service. Pointing to the increased use of digital video on campus, Whitmire said the number of camera checkouts last fall semester (416) exceeded the number for the entire 2001-02 academic year (364). Some academic areas, including teacher education and music performance, now require their students to digitally record themselves.

Many of the videographers come to the center to use-and get help with-iMovie to create presentations for the student organizations in which they belong. David Heisler, a senior microbiology major from Gahanna, recently edited video of Army ROTC training for viewing at the BGSU unit's spring awards ceremony.

The iMovie softward is among the advanced programs that students can learn with the help of a "Personal Technology Trainer" at StudentTech. In that program, a student is paired with one of the center's student employees whose knowledge mirrors the trainee's interests. The idea, Whitmire said, is to "establish more of an ongoing (tutoring) relationship" for hands-on software instruction at the trainee's pace.

In addition to on-site tutoring, StudentTech provides nearly 30 tutorials online. Some offer how-to information about becoming more technologically savvy, while others guide students through a particular task or application, such as creating an online portfolio.

Now located in 200 Saddlemire Student Services Building on the BGSU campus, the two-year-old center also offers workshops for small and large groups, and administers a program in which students who are receiving financial aid can apply for free use of one of 150 available laptop computers for an academic year.

A workshop room, for small groups, is equipped for use of VHS tapes, DVDs, video CDs and streaming video from WBGU-TV, in addition to Internet access and display. Workshop topics range from using Web browsers and search engines to avoiding junk email and computer viruses.

Among the faculty members familiar with the center's services is Dr. Cynthia Baron, an assistant professor of theatre and film studies. "

The Student Tech Center sets BGSU apart from most universities in the country," Baron said, explaining that the center "makes it possible for students in any major to graduate with the kind of skills people need to secure positions that have a real future. "

Because of the resources available at the Student Tech Center, when you graduate from BGSU, you not only have a degree from a four-year research university, you can also be someone with a technology toolkit that is superior to anything offered by professional schools and two-year colleges," she said.

(Posted April 12, 2003 )