Academic Technology

Classroom Technology
Classroom technology continues to be updated within all departments of the University.  Typical upgrades include moving toward a standardized classroom configuration containing:  teaching podium, computer with DVD player, VCR, digital document camera, integrated sound system, network connectivity and laptop connections all controlled by a MediaLink switching system.  These classrooms are configured to provide faculty a familiar and reliable teaching environment enhanced with the latest classroom technology. 

Lecture Capture
UML’s Instructional Network currently has three classroom capture systems in operation.  These systems automatically capture lectures taking place in three large lecture halls on campus (Ball 214, Weed LH1, Weed LH3), encode and post them to the web.  These multiformat presentations are viewable by students minutes after the lecture takes place, making review of class materials an easy click of the mouse.  Additionally, lectures are available in either video w/audio or as an audio-only podcast.

iTunesU
UML has recently signed on as an iTunesU partner institution.  This will provide faculty a place to store class audio and video assets, supplemental materials and recorded lectures all in an environment that is very familiar to our student users.  UML will also become part of a growing group of institutions that are using this service to expand the boundaries of typical course material distribution.

Podcasting
Podcasting at UML is continuing to grow each semester.  The University has recently signed a license agreement for the next year which will allow for recording and podcasting of lectures across the campus.  This software, coupled with the instructor's laptop and microphone, will allow for automatic capture, encoding and posting of course content via podcasting.  As a compliment to this capture technology, the University has made substantial improvements to storage and server capacity to keep ahead of the anticipated demand.

Faculty Web Server
The Faculty Web Server gives professors the ability to set up websites for the courses they teach. Students will be given access to the website once the professor uploads content for the specific course. To help keep the website organized, templates are provided for: class assignments, syllabi, images, student profiles, and topics. Each faculty account automatically includes 256 MB of storage which is expandable, if needed, to as much as 5 GB. Professors and students are expected to use the allocated quota for course related material only. Files can be uploaded onto the server using FTP and Microsoft FrontPage. Third party products, such as ColdFusion, may also be used.