C.W. Post to Invest $1.2 Million in New
Technology
January 5, 2000 -- The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University
in Brookville, NY has embarked on an ambitious technology initiative
that will provide students with access to the latest advances
in high-tech learning. During the spring 2000 semester, the campus
is investing $1.2 million in new construction, including computerized
"smart classrooms," new specialized labs for music,
multimedia arts and computer science, and instant internet access
in every dorm room.
These developments follow other technological advances made
by the campus, including an on-line application process, integration
of a new, global hotmail program and the development of a sophisticated
Student Information System which provides access to student records
around-the-clock.
This overall approach implemented throughout all six campuses
of Long Island University, is to "expand the classroom with
the richness of the Web while maintaining the intimacy of great
classroom instruction and discussion," says Marc Eichen,
Long Island University's Chief Information Officer. "In
information technology, whether our students are coming in from
the campus or coming electronically via distance learning, we
want to be the small corner bookstore that knows you better than
Amazon.com," he said.
SMART CLASSROOMS
Lorber Hall, home to C.W. Post's School of Professional Accountancy,
is the site of the biggest leg of this project. Construction
is nearly complete on three "smart classrooms", where
students can plug their laptop computers into special desks outfitted
with power and modem hook-ups. Professors will be able to share
information and bring students to web sites by plugging their
laptops into overhead projectors. These classrooms make the Internet
and World Wide Web available to support a range of teaching styles
that includes lectures, discussions and small group work.
C.W. Post Provost Joe Shenker said additional smart classrooms
will be integrated into other parts of the campus during the
2000-2001 academic school year.
"It's very important to have this capability," says
Ali Atieh, director of information technology at C.W. Post. "Showing
students information is much more convenient and interactive
than giving them a handout. If professors want to show their
students something on-line, for example, it's right there. They
can do presentations from their laptops and direct students to
various on-line research. Smart classrooms put technology at
their fingertips."
ADDITIONAL UPGRADES:
Other new technology improvements will include a graduate multi-media
laboratory for students pursuing master's degrees in Interactive
Multimedia Arts; a new digital AM radio station which allows
for live web casting of radio programs; live internet connections
in every classroom of Humanities Hall and Pell Hall; and new
computers and software for the Mathematics Laboratory.
These latest projects will round out C.W. Post's technological
facilities, completing a total of 23 computer labs campus-wide
designated for student use.
GOALS FOR THE FUTURE:
Dr. Eichen detailed the university's goals for the future, saying
that by this time next year the University plans to have:
- Many quality courses on the Web, mostly created with the
WebCT software, with quality components like whiteboards and
tools for chat and group collaboration.
- A faculty whose members have received encouragement to use
these tools to give students "an intimate learning environment
with lots of support";
- Degree auditing -- instant access for each student to where
he or she stands enroute to the degree and what options are necessary
and available to finish that degree or alternatives;
- Advanced electronic portals for student access to student
services and
activities
