2008 Woodie Awards
Student lab brings updated technology to campus
Ann Koblenzer
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Campus
Students will be able to take their group projects to a new level with the completion of Miami University's new Learning Technologies Center.
The center, to be located on the second floor of Gaskill Hall, will have its grand opening at 3 p.m. Sept. 18, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opportunities for students to take a tour and learn about what the center will offer.
The center will mainly feature four conference-size rooms and two addition rooms suited for podcasting and video editing. Carrels of desktop computers and three smaller, group workspaces will be located in the new center as well.
According to Tom Montgomery, manager of the Learning Technologies Center, the site hadn't been renovated since 1999. The student technology advisory committee (STAC), a standing committee of the student activities group, worked with faculty to plan the new center. A student survey showed that students wanted places for their laptops, high-end technology and space for group collaboration.
The center was funded through the student technology fee, which is part of students' tuition and fees. The center was allotted a budget of $169,000, and has currently spent approximately $158,000.
"Since it was funded with student money we wanted to make sure STAC had the final say (in the development)," said senior Sean Weaston, president of STAC.
Montgomery said Miami recently has seen a large decline in the number of students who used the former center, due to the increase use of personal laptop computers. Hoping to respond to this change in technology needs, the center will have three laptop areas with movable furniture, a table that transforms to a footstool, wireless and network capabilities, power outlets and chairs with the proper balance of "comfort and firmness," according to Montgomery. He hopes the new areas will encourage students to come to the center with their laptops, move around the chairs and use the areas to suite their needs.
The center, to be located on the second floor of Gaskill Hall, will have its grand opening at 3 p.m. Sept. 18, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opportunities for students to take a tour and learn about what the center will offer.
The center will mainly feature four conference-size rooms and two addition rooms suited for podcasting and video editing. Carrels of desktop computers and three smaller, group workspaces will be located in the new center as well.
According to Tom Montgomery, manager of the Learning Technologies Center, the site hadn't been renovated since 1999. The student technology advisory committee (STAC), a standing committee of the student activities group, worked with faculty to plan the new center. A student survey showed that students wanted places for their laptops, high-end technology and space for group collaboration.
The center was funded through the student technology fee, which is part of students' tuition and fees. The center was allotted a budget of $169,000, and has currently spent approximately $158,000.
"Since it was funded with student money we wanted to make sure STAC had the final say (in the development)," said senior Sean Weaston, president of STAC.
Montgomery said Miami recently has seen a large decline in the number of students who used the former center, due to the increase use of personal laptop computers. Hoping to respond to this change in technology needs, the center will have three laptop areas with movable furniture, a table that transforms to a footstool, wireless and network capabilities, power outlets and chairs with the proper balance of "comfort and firmness," according to Montgomery. He hopes the new areas will encourage students to come to the center with their laptops, move around the chairs and use the areas to suite their needs.
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