December 2001 — Features
Print this article | Email this articleClick here to receive your FREE subscription to T.H.E. Journal
Evolution of a Digital Production Studio
Planning, Funding, Developing and Implementing a State-of-the-Art Production Facility
Over the last 20 years, inexpensive microcomputers brought affordable computing to business, educational and home computing environments. More than ever before, people are using computers as communicative and productive tools to accomplish tasks and obtain information on a daily basis. In the past, business schools provided microcomputer instruction mainly for the purpose of improving job productivity. Recent advances in microprocessor chip design and enhanced multimedia technologies have led to the widespread adoption of CD-ROM-based multimedia applications. Recent developments also promise to bring a variety of exciting multimedia experiences to the average end-user via DVD, streaming video and streaming audio delivered through the World Wide Web.
A goal of higher education today is to provide students with the technical knowledge and skills required to compete in the global economy. States like Ohio have developed the Ohio Information Technology Competency Profile to identify technological knowledge and skill areas, such as graphic and digital media design; video, film and audio production; Web page design; and interactive multimedia production. A quick job search on the Web also reveals the abundance of jobs available requiring skills in multimedia design, development and production.
Job-sector demand for those skilled in multimedia production augments the need for business schools to provide students with knowledge and training in dynamic multimedia and Web-based applications, in addition to customary microcomputer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet and database. In response to this demand, the Technology Support and Training Department (TST) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania's (IUP) Eberly College of Business and Information Technology (ECOB&IT) and IUP's Center for Vocational Personnel Preparation (CVPP) applied for and received a Link-to-Learn grant to create a digital production studio. Facilities like the studio hold great promise to provide faculty and students with an opportunity to learn and apply leading-edge multimedia technologies to both business and educational environments.
Background
To keep up with rapidly evolving technological advancements, Pennsylvania's Department of Education awards Link-to-Learn grants to support the state's initiative to stay at the forefront of technology. TST and CVPP received a $410,000 Link-to-Learn grant with matching funds of approximately $400,000 provided by ECOB&IT. Link-to-Learn is a $20 million program "designed to supplement local and regional investments in educational technology" (Pennsylvania Department of Education 2001). The funds are used to strengthen IT programs, such as computer science, network engineering and telecommunications, as well as provide knowledge in disciplines such as graphic and architectural design. TST's three-year grant features two phases. Phase I is designed to teach high school students about careers in technology in partnership with industry; it also funded the studio. A distance learning lab is planned as part of Phase II. Butthe focus of this article is on the studio.
