Gaskill Hall Computing LabTransformation Underway

Students visiting Gaskill Hall this spring might wonder if they’ve wandered into Extreme Makeover: Technology Edition. A redesign and renovation of the Learning Technologies Center, located in 200 Gaskill, is underway to better serve the needs of students by adding collaboration and multimedia resources. Construction is expected to be complete by June 1, 2007.

Student input has been a crucial component of this particular makeover. Members of the Student Technology Advisory Committee met several times this academic year to review six possible layouts for the lab, finally selecting a composite design intended to foster greater collaboration and group work and increased use of multimedia.

Come into the Gaskill Lab after June 1st and here’s what you’ll find…

TeamSpot Group Collaboration Areas

The Student Technology Advisory Committee reviewed a software package called TeamSpot and is convinced that this represents the direction they wish to take their fellow classmates for use in their collaborative group work areas. With TeamSpot, there’s no more cabling/recabling to share a common display. The software enables group members to easily move files & objects between computers and create a “take-away” archive of shared documents and information.

There will be three TeamSpot group space work areas in the Gaskill facility, each equipped with movable tables and chairs, a resident computer to serve as the TeamSpot host, and a large plasma display.

The TeamSpot Collaboration area featured below will also serve as a videoconferencing suite.

Podcasting Development Area

The new podcasting development area includes new iMacs and Dell computers. A “Snowball” microphone is connected to three units for students to create their own Podcasts (running GarageBand on two iMacs and Audacity on one Dell).

Video-Editing Suite

Powerful video editing hardware has been purchased and placed in a new video-editing suite. Two Apple Macintosh Pro computers feature iDVD and Final Cut Pro. A Dell will feature Adobe Premiere.

Slide/Photo Scanning Area

A slide and photo scanning area is being developed as well. High-end Epson scanners can accommodate photos, 35mm slides, and negative scanning. Special multi-function video card adapter drives have been added to most of these units for direct connectivity and editing in PhotoShop.

Flexible Work Areas

Three individual work areas will feature movable, comfortable chairs and laptop connectivity through electrical and networked migration tables, allowing students to work individually or in small flexible groups.

Learning to Use the New Technologies in the Gaskill Lab

Thinking this all sounds great, but wondering how you’ll learn to use all this equipment? Rest assured, help will be available. Instructional materials for lab software are being developed by a Technical Writing class during this spring semester. Lab consultants will be available to assist you on an as-needed basis.

Hours of Operation

During the academic year, the Gaskill Lab will continue to be open round-the-clock from Sunday at noon to Friday at 10 pm and on Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm. Summer hours and hours during breaks vary. Please check the Gaskill Lab web site at www.muohio.edu/ltc for current information.

For More Information

The complete design and more details are available on the Gaskill Lab web site: www.muohio.edu/ltc. If you have any questions, please contact Tom Montgomery, Gaskill Learning Technologies Center manager, at montgota@muohio.edu.