Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/62215
"At this stage, the technology is fairly robust and almost bulletproof. We don't have to run to the next building to fix a problem, and we don't have to train users as much. We can get on with the business of teaching." —Gerry Ewing, Stetson University of recording technology that intrigued him. "We found a $5,000 classroom device that will take video straight to DVD," says Just, "and think that going straight to DVD is what we need to do for this audience." The Next Wave Courses for some disciplines, such as literature or mathemat- ics, may never become multimedia havens. The subject mat- ter does not require such an approach. But in disciplines such as the sciences, the performing arts, and business, audiovisu- al technologies will make more possible in the classroom than ever before. "Students want to be engaged in the classroom just as they're now engaged in their ordinary lives," says Knowlton of Smart Technologies. "Multimedia is everywhere, so if all an instructor does is talk, that isn't going to make an impression on many of today's students." Bannister and Just of the Olin School already are looking focus on the professor and track his or her movements. Eventually, that will keep us from needing a dedicated tech- nician," says Bannister. Ewing of Stetson University, for one, is excited about the future of classroom AV technologies.He looks forward to the advancement of streaming video and high-definition televi- sion, or HDTV, to enhance the classroom experience even further. "For a long time, I worked mainly as an AV techni- cian, but now I think I'm back to the job I always wanted to do, which is instructional design and development," Ewing says. "At this stage, the technology is fairly robust and almost bulletproof. We have touchscreen panels and Web-based con- trols, so we don't have to run to the next building to fix a problem, and we don't have to train users as much. We can get on with the business of teaching." As Ewing has found, audiovisual technology is changing at the next progressions in technology, including an audience response system that will allow students to respond to class- room questions electronically. They're even considering adding motion-activated cameras to classrooms. "That cam- era technology will enable us to have a 'follow-the-professor' automatic camera system that will be motion-oriented. It can the way educators present information in their classes just as profoundly as computer technology changed what informa- tion they presented. The better the lighting, the more invit- ing the sound, and the more exciting the presentation, some believe, the more interactive and effective the class. The dan- ger, of course, is that once students have a taste of classes that take advantage of the full range of multimedia options, there's no going back to the chalkboard again. ■ z The popularity of distance learning has been an important driver in the increase in the implementation of AV-infused classrooms. Stetson University, for example, incorporated three distance learning rooms in the renovation of its business school building. BizEd NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 49