St. Mary's Technology Center Opens
Beth Ann Bergsmark
After almost one year of construction, the renovated St. Mary's Hall has opened in time for the new school year. St. Mary's now houses the School of Nursing and Health Studies and a University-wide technology center that includes a computer lab, a walk-in technology service center, computer sales and repair, training space, and a high-tech classroom. As an added benefit, St. Mary's will serve as headquarters for the University's technology support staff, increasing efficiency of service.
Student computing lab
A new 24-hour student-computing lab on the ground floor includes both PC and Mac computers as well as an open-table area for wireless laptop use. Students access the lab with their GOCards, ensuring safety and convenience.
SNHS Computing Areas
SNHS computing areas include a new computer lab with special software for SNHS students and a high-tech patient simulation lab.
Student Technology Center
The new student technology center on the ground floor will provide students with one-on-one assistance with telephones, cable television, computers, and software. In addition, the center will be an area for students to experiment with emergent technologies and high-end equipment not found in most labs. Wall-mounted plasma screens will display students' creative work, technology announcements, and new Web sites.
Hoya Computing
St. Mary's includes Hoya Computing, an existing service that provides a repair depot for personally owned computers, a software lending library, and help with purchasing computers and software. In their new space, Hoya Computing displays demo models of new Apple computers and Dell PCs selected especially for Georgetown University. These systems are available for Georgetown University faculty, staff, and students to purchase for their home use at academically discounted prices.
Technology Training and Conference Room
Short courses (available at no charge to students, faculty, and staff) on topics ranging from basic computer literacy to advanced Web design will be conducted in a new 15-seat training classroom on the third floor. When classes are not in session, the room will serve as a consultation room. The room has been designed to take advantage of wireless networking technology with a laptop cart used in place of desktop computers. The small size and portability of laptop computers creates greater flexibility in configuring space and makes group exercises easier.
Technology-enhanced Classrooms
St. Mary's Technology Center will feature seven technology-enhanced classrooms. Six of these classrooms will feature a "smart podium "—a classic lectern and instructor desk outfitted with controls for networked computer access, lighting, screens, audio, projection, and media players.
The seventh, an advanced electronic classroom, will open doors for faculty to integrate new Web-based projects, group problem solving, on-line editing, and distance education into Georgetown's curriculum. The room's design, selected through consultation with faculty and the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship, supports group discussions as well as traditional lectures. The room will seat 24 students in clusters of four with a new computer for each student. The St. Mary's electronic classroom will complement the two existing electronic classrooms in the Car Barn and the Reiss Science Building, which have been in high demand since they opened.
Technology-enhanced classrooms allow faculty members to make electronic presentations, take electronic notes during class discussions, and upload electronic material to a course management system such as Blackboard. The Technology Services Advisory Committee has found that, when technology-enhanced classrooms are utilized, students find lectures more engaging and have easier access to study materials. Technology-enhanced classrooms are opening doors for faculty to integrate Web-based projects, group problem solving, on-line editing, and distance education.
Use of all seven rooms will be controlled by the Office of the Registrar.
Over the past five years, extending and upgrading the campus network, building electronic classrooms, improving student computing centers, and expanding faculty services has brought Georgetown University's computer services up to par with peer institutions. Now we can raise the standard by providing students and faculty with technology centers of excellence.
Beth Ann Bergsmark is director of Academic and Information Technology Services for UIS.
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